https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1143-3306
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ABSTRACT
Transport studies continue to grapple with the challenge of evaluating the benefits of transport policy in contributing to wellbeing. Motility (mobility capital) defined as the personal capacity for travel, captures the life-enhancing aspect of mobility, separate from the value of a destination activity. Using the experiences collected from 24 Israeli women between the ages of 25–65, this paper demonstrates the role of mobility experiences in promoting motility, the relationship with social and cultural capital and the contribution to their personal wellbeing. Socially structured group identities, including gender roles, alongside community and family, define a starting point for motility. Personal choices and travel experiences build on this starting point. By capturing the benefits for wellbeing that can result from more diverse and inclusive travel opportunities, motility can be a tool for more inclusive transport policies.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Tal Kulak for her review and comments.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
1. In the 1970s, emigration from the Soviet Union began with many hurdles – applying and being granted an exit permit, a difficult journey through an Austrian transit center, with little to no contact with those left behind afterwards.
2. Yeruham is a remote town in the south of Israel, 150 km from Tel Aviv.
3. Eilat, is the southernmost point within Israel, is 350 km away from Shira’s place of work in Tel Aviv and connotes the most remote destination possible, within the country.