There are not only different travel patterns in day-to day life but also differences in socialisation have a high impact on mode choice. Previous literature shows that women have a higher affinity towards local public transportation and put a higher emphasis on sustainability. Men, on the other hand, show a higher affinity towards cars. These preferences manifest in differences in mode choice as adults, and can be explained with differences in daily tasks and access to resources.

This chapter studies differences in mode choice starting at a much earlier point in life by presenting the different stages of socialisation linked to mobility. Identified factors of mode choice are illuminated and discussed regarding gender differences like access to resources and difference in household tasks, childcare, and work status. The analysis of several studies underlines that gender-related differences in mode choice already manifest before adulthood.

These findings cannot be explained by the division of household and childcare tasks in relationships and different participation in the labour market, and make the importance of attitudes towards specific modes visible. In addition, the findings point out that the line between typically female and male travel lies between active and passive participation in traffic rather than the previous identified dimension of private versus public transport.

Understanding different gender-related socialisations of mobility during childhood and adolescence may be used to find effective measures to mark a shift towards a sustainable smart mobility that started during this early stage of life.