When Martina joined ERTICO, she was looking for more than a new professional challenge. She wanted to be part of a movement shaping the future of mobility, one that considers inclusivity, diversity, and real impact across all aspects of transport.
Before joining ERTICO, Martina Ferrara Snider worked at a membership-based organisation, mainly with private companies, and especially in the automotive sector. She explains that the focus there was on sustainability in general, but she realised that she wanted to dedicate her work to inclusive mobility, and in particular, focusing on gender in how mobility serves users, as well as how the sector represents its workforce.
Her journey into mobility was not straightforward. Although she had experience in project management and EU policies, most mobility positions she encountered were highly technical or senior-level. “ERTICO was one of the few organisations that offered an entry point into the sector,” she recalls. “It was the perfect mix, international, innovative, and with a broad network of partners across industry, research, and public authorities. That combination was exactly what I was looking for.”
A Vision for Inclusivity in Practice
Martina’s motivation to work in inclusive mobility goes beyond policy discussions. “Often, inclusivity is mentioned in projects as a general concept,” she notes. “But in many cases, it remains at the level of policy recommendations or high-level statements. We need to see it reflected in products, infrastructure, and real practices within the industry.”
She points to tangible examples from her experience attending the Urban Mobility Days in Vilnius. “There was an interesting session about empowering women in cycling. It made me realise how many design elements, from bike frames to helmets to safety gear, are not designed for women or for the realities of daily life, like carrying children or groceries. These are the kinds of details that can make mobility truly inclusive.”
Bringing Change Through Persistence
By being persistent and repeating the same things until people listen. Martina explains that it’s about constantly bringing the inclusivity conversation into projects, even when it’s not part of the main objectives. She hopes to explore these further within her current work at ERTICO. “In one of the projects I’m involved in, metaCCAZE, we collect a lot of data that could help analyse mobility patterns from a gender perspective. It’s something I would like to develop further, maybe through a paper or internal study.”
Looking Ahead
While Martina is still early in her ERTICO journey, her long-term vision is clear. “I hope to grow within ERTICO, learn from my colleagues, and eventually contribute with my own perspective,” she says. “There are many competent people here, and it’s inspiring to work alongside them. But I also believe it’s important to keep your own voice and push for change where it’s needed.”
Martina's dedication to building a more inclusive mobility ecosystem reflects the values ERTICO champions: collaboration, innovation, and diversity. As she continues to grow in her role, Martina represents a new generation of professionals who see mobility not only as a technological challenge but also as a societal change. “Mobility should work for everyone,” she concludes. “And that means listening, learning, and redesigning from the ground up.”
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