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BOLT WALKS

Empowering Women's Safety During Late-night Walks

Bolt Walks is a feature concept developed for Bolt, Estonia’s most widely used mobility app. Rooted in the goal of enriching Tallinners' social lives, it explores how digital services might support women walking alone at night by addressing emotional comfort and perceived safety during the last part of their journey.

By combining emotional awareness with data-informed features, Bolt Walks offers a more reassuring experience without amplifying fear. The concept opens up new conversations around urban mobility, gender, and trust in everyday navigation.

brand
BOLT

tımelıne
2024

Deliverables
Research & Insights
High-fidelity Prototypes

ROLE
Co-designER with Marion Martin & Jorven Viilik

Starting Question

How might we enhance the safety of women in Tallinn's nightlife, with a focus on mobility?

How might we enhance the safety of women in Tallinn's nightlife, with a focus on mobility?

Walking at night is both a physical and emotional journey. We now had: “safety + mobility during nighttime.” The challenge wasn’t just avoiding risk, but enabling confident movement. So, can we reimagine Bolt—not just as a ride service, but as a companion that supports emotional safety and a more vibrant social life after dark?
Walking at night is both a physical and emotional journey. We now had: “safety + mobility during nighttime.” The challenge wasn’t just avoiding risk, but enabling confident movement. So, can we reimagine Bolt—not just as a ride service, but as a companion that supports emotional safety and a more vibrant social life after dark?

Real Stories, Real Fear: INTERVIEWS

"My solution is to walk as fast as I can, make phone calls—not to chat, but to feel safer, and hope that a taxi arrives quickly."

"My solution is to walk as fast as I can, make phone calls—not to chat, but to feel safer, and hope that a taxi arrives quickly."

Annika, 31

"It’s stressful to walk alone past places with drunk men, especially in Old Town, where I just know I’ll bump into someone who's had too much to drink."

"It’s stressful to walk alone past places with drunk men, especially in Old Town, where I just know I’ll bump into someone who's had too much to drink."

Maria, 35

"The last mile is the most challenging. The streets can be poorly lit and empty, so I sometimes need to take detours to stick to busier, wider streets and avoid parks."

"The last mile is the most challenging. The streets can be poorly lit and empty, so I sometimes need to take detours to stick to busier, wider streets and avoid parks."

Berit, 26

"Everything has to happen quickly. But don’t run too fast—otherwise, you’ll look weak and draw attention to yourself."

"Everything has to happen quickly. But don’t run too fast—otherwise, you’ll look weak and draw attention to yourself."

Britta, 33

Some Statistics: Desk Research

THE GROWING GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING OF NIGHTLIFE'S IMPACT ON CITIES.

THE GROWING GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING OF NIGHTLIFE'S IMPACT ON CITIES.

"By now, nearly 100 cities worldwide have drafted nightlife strategies. The increasing recognition of nightlife as a key driver for economic development and tourism is clear.”


– Natalie Mets, Tallinn's Nighttime Advisor 

"By now, nearly 100 cities worldwide have drafted nightlife strategies. The increasing recognition of nightlife as a key driver for economic development and tourism is clear.”


– Natalie Mets, Tallinn's Nighttime Advisor 

IN ESTONIA, CRIME PATTERNS BETWEEN DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME CAN DIFFER.

IN ESTONIA, CRIME PATTERNS BETWEEN DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME CAN DIFFER.

While property crimes, such as burglaries, are more spread throughout the day, crime reports show that violent crimes, such as assaults, are more prevalent during nightlife.


estonian world
News ERR

While property crimes, such as burglaries, are more spread throughout the day, crime reports show that violent crimes, such as assaults, are more prevalent during nightlife.


estonian world
News ERR

WHEN A WALK HOME BECOMES A WORRY.

WHEN A WALK HOME BECOMES A WORRY.

A recent quick survey by the Social Insurance Board revealed that 73% of women and 32% of men in Estonia's nightlife have faced sexual harassment.


sotsiaalkindlustusamet

A recent quick survey by the Social Insurance Board revealed that 73% of women and 32% of men in Estonia's nightlife have faced sexual harassment.


sotsiaalkindlustusamet

THE “NIGHT BUS PILOT PROJECT” IN TALLINN HAS SHOWN A CLEAR NEED FOR NIGHTTIME MOBILITY OPTIONS.

THE “NIGHT BUS PILOT PROJECT” IN TALLINN HAS SHOWN A CLEAR NEED FOR NIGHTTIME MOBILITY OPTIONS.

The night bus network covered six out of eight city districts. It provided service on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 00:30 to 05:00.
During the pilot period last summer, 2,300 to 2,800 people used the night bus service over the weekend.


TALLINN CITY GOVERNMENT

EU Urban Mobility Observatory

The night bus network covered six out of eight city districts. It provided service on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 00:30 to 05:00.
During the pilot period last summer, 2,300 to 2,800 people used the night bus service over the weekend.


TALLINN CITY GOVERNMENT

EU Urban Mobility Observatory

Design Principles

KEEP PEOPLE CONNECTED WITH ALL TEN FINGERS

Safety first

"JUST DO IT” IS JUST SO 2010

"JUST DO IT” IS
JUST SO 2010

Plan for impact.
Don’t just…

LET THE PEOPLE
BE PEOPLE

LET THE PEOPLE
BE PEOPLE

Focus on interaction,
not on changing
the people

KEEP A SPARKLE
IN THE EYES

Positivity influences
all aspects of
the process

Key Features

Safer, data-driven navigation for walking and
Seamless Bolt Pickups while on the move

Safer, data-driven navigation for walking and Seamless Bolt Pickups while on the move

1

1

Feature activates when its dark outside or when no cars are available

Feature activates when its dark outside or when no cars are available

2

2

Analyzes specific local data to suggest safer routes

Analyzes specific local data to suggest safer routes

3

3

Suggests safer walking routes with an option for pickup when a nearby car is available

Suggests safer walking routes with an option for pickup when a nearby car is available

Insights & Learnings

The initial goal was to boost social life for Tallinn residents. However, user interviews—especially with women—revealed a critical and unexpected concern: safety during nighttime socializing. This challenged my assumptions and showed me the value of broad, open-ended questions to uncover real user needs.

Strategically, we decided to propose this feature not as a standalone app but as an extension of Bolt’s existing service, adding a new dimension to their business while leveraging user familiarity to increase engagement and ease of use.

I also see strong future potential in integrating with city management systems and digital twins, to provide richer data and create a safer, more comprehensive urban experience.

The initial goal was to boost social life for Tallinn residents. However, user interviews—especially with women—revealed a critical and unexpected concern: safety during nighttime socializing. This challenged my assumptions and showed me the value of broad, open-ended questions to uncover real user needs.

Strategically, we decided to propose this feature not as a standalone app but as an extension of Bolt’s existing service, adding a new dimension to their business while leveraging user familiarity to increase engagement and ease of use.

I also see strong future potential in integrating with city management systems and digital twins, to provide richer data and create a safer, more comprehensive urban experience.