Rideshare safety fears push more commuters to look elsewhere

When Melbourne woman Kat Zam decided she'd never book another Uber, she wasn't making a rash decision. Like many Australian women, she'd simply had enough of feeling uncomfortable during what should be routine trips home.

Her story, which gained attention after she shared it on social media, highlights a growing conversation about rideshare safety that's particularly relevant for women travelling alone—especially during late-night journeys.

The uncomfortable reality of rideshare experiences

Kat's experiences weren't isolated incidents. Although 99.9 per cent of Uber trips end without any safety-related issues, there were still 2,717 incidents of sexual assault and misconduct reported in the company's most recent report (2021—2022).

The 38-year-old described being asked personal questions by male drivers that left her feeling vulnerable: questions about her age, relationship status, and in one case, a request for her phone number.

'I feel nervous, you know, when you get asked questions like 'how old are you', or 'do you have a boyfriend',' she explained in her July video. 'I don't want to be asked those things when I'm trying to get home, especially when it's late at night.'

The responses to her social media post revealed she wasn't alone. Women shared similar experiences: drivers who wouldn't unlock doors until they received five-star ratings, unwanted invitations for dates, and constant inappropriate questions during rides.

What the research reveals about rideshare harassment

There is emerging anecdotal evidence to suggest that both taxi and rideshare services are sites of sexual harassment and violence. However, little is known about passengers' perceptions of safety when using taxis and rideshare services, an issue with significant implications for mobility, civic participation and social inclusion.

University of Melbourne Professor of Criminology Bianca Fileborn, whose research focuses specifically on sexual harassment in transport settings, found that most passengers who report feeling unsafe are women or gender-diverse.

Her research found these groups were more likely to experience unwanted flirting or inappropriate questions, particularly about their bodies or gender identity.

The vulnerability factor is significant. As Professor Fileborn noted: 'There's increased vulnerability when you're in the car; you're usually alone with a stranger, and they have complete control over the vehicle.'

The numbers behind rideshare safety

While these experiences are deeply concerning, it's important to understand the broader statistical picture. Although 99.9 per cent of Uber trips end without any safety-related issues, and safety incidents generally only occur on 0.0003 per cent of all trips, the absolute numbers still matter when millions of trips occur annually.

In 2021 and 2022, there were 2,717 incidences of sexual assault on Uber trips in the U.S., accounting for 93 per cent of the company's total safety incidents. Out of these 2,717 sexual assaults, 285 were nonconsensual sexual penetration, or rape, a total of 10 per cent of all sexual assaults. Of these 285 survivors, 89 per cent were women.

Beyond women-only services: practical safety measures

For those who continue using mainstream rideshare services, there are evidence-based safety practices worth adopting:

Before and during your ride:

• Check the driver's rating and prior experience before you enter their car. Make sure the car has the correct license plate number, make, model, and driver
• Share your location with trusted contacts using built-in features
• Call 911 via the Uber or Lyft app if you feel unsafe. The benefit of going through the app rather than calling 911 directly is that the police will automatically receive your location information and trip details

Trust your instincts:

If something feels wrong, it probably is. Both major platforms have safety features including emergency buttons and the ability to end trips early.

The market response to safety concerns

The success of services like Shebah suggests there's genuine demand for safer alternatives. Research shows 'Uber' takes the top spot in Australian rideshare usage, while 'Shebah' is at the other end of the ranking, but the fact that women-only services are establishing themselves indicates an important market need.

Uber had the highest customer satisfaction ranking at 88 per cent, yet stories like Kat's continue to emerge, suggesting that while most experiences are positive, the negative ones can be significant enough to drive customers away permanently.

A conversation that's long overdue

Kat Zam's decision to speak out has contributed to an important conversation about transport safety that extends far beyond individual experiences. Little is known about passengers' perceptions of safety when using taxis and rideshare services, an issue with significant implications for mobility, civic participation and social inclusion.

The emergence of women-focused alternatives like Shebah, combined with improved safety features from mainstream providers, suggests the industry is responding—albeit gradually—to legitimate safety concerns.

For many women, the question isn't whether rideshares are statistically safe, but whether they feel safe. And sometimes, that feeling matters more than any statistic.