Lea, you grew up with Mobility. How did that come about?
My parents never had their own car, but always used car sharing. I grew up with the concept from an early age. I always rented a Mobility car for skiing holidays or visits to my grandmother - that was always quite normal for me.
You are now continuing the family tradition, right?
Yes, exactly. I even learnt to drive with Mobility. In Basel-Stadt, where I grew up and still live today, everything is easily and quickly accessible by bike or public transport. Because I only need a car occasionally, Mobility is the best option for me. Car sharing is not only much cheaper, it also makes ecological sense.
You are one of the best pole vaulters in the country. I assume you don't transport your poles by bike or public transport?
Of course not! I often hire a Mobility car for competitions in the Basel region. I do the same when I fly from Basel to a competition: For example, my father drove me to the airport in a Mobility car for my trip to the European Championships in Rome. I rent a station wagon so that I can securely tie my four-metre-long rods to a roofrack.
How did you actually get into pole vaulting?
My path was rather unconventional. I never wanted to do athletics because running was too strenuous for me. But at some point my father persuaded me to try pole vaulting. I was in the children's circus back then and especially loved the aerial acrobatics. I liked the pole vault straight away. It is a fascinating combination of athletics and gymnastic elements.
Can you go into more detail about the appeal of this sport?
It is a very demanding discipline in which many factors have to interact. You need speed, strength and technical ability. It is a long learning process in which the athletes approach the height step by step. I find it particularly fascinating that it is a kind of "democratic discipline". You can compensate for weaknesses in one area with strengths in another.
Mobility also works democratically. You are not only a car sharing user, but also Co-President of the Mobility section in Basel together with your father. What motivated you to get involved?
When Mobility changed its pricing policy a few years ago, my father went to the section assembly and asked critical questions. Later, I attended a meeting with him and we were elected as delegates. We thought it was great that you can get so involved as a member. One year later, we took over the presidency of the section. I find Mobility very exciting as a company - not least because of its cooperative structure.
You are currently doing your doctorate at the Faculty of Law at the University of Basel. As a lawyer, what do you think about the legal form of a cooperative?
Thanks to the cooperative structure, you can participate as a member of the cooperative and also gain exciting insights into the company. I find the exchange with other members of the cooperative inspiring. The focus is not on profit, but on helping each other to create added value for everyone. I think it's great when modern companies rely on this traditional model.
What challenges do you think Mobility will have to face in the future?
The electrification of the fleet is certainly a major challenge, as is the increasing competition in the car-sharing sector. A key topic will be networked mobility - the integration of different means of transport into one offer. Mobility needs to stay on the ball here. I think it's a shame how few young people, and especially young women, are involved in Mobility. I would like Mobility to become even more active in addressing and involving these groups. We are already making good progress in this respect in our Basel section, but more efforts are needed here too.
Images: Sabrina Stäubli - perspektiv
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