Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Efan Willis

First of its kind app launches in Cardiff to help people feel safe walking home

A first-of-its-kind app to prevent street harassment has launched in Cardiff. The landmark app – called RouteBuddies – was developed by Jack Blundell, a 23-year-old Cardiff University alum-turned entrepreneur who got the idea after hearing concerning stories of street harassment all over social media.

Users of the free app will be able to meet with strangers and walk in groups of three or more to their chosen destination, with each user undergoing a strict background check upon signing up to maximise safety. Users can choose who they would prefer to meet over the app by inputting their preferences on gender and age, and set the app to different modes, including student and LGBTQ+ mode. By searching their home address, users are automatically paired with people in nearby locations. The app them sets a meet-up location and works out the safest route home for all.

Jack said: “I really hope RouteBuddies will contribute to making Cardiff a safer city. While at university I saw countless posts on Facebook from peers who had experienced street harassment. Some in particular were quite harrowing, and most followed a pattern of women being targeted.

“At one point there were three or more posts a day, so people began setting up groups and live sharing their locations to feel safer. I couldn’t help but think ‘people need physical safety now more than ever, so much more can be done’.”

Read more: Met Office forecasts 'dangerously cold air' in Canada will raise temperatures in the UK

A study by UN Women UK found that 97% of 18 to 24-year-old women have been sexually harassed, but Jack says that the app’s chief aim is to help “keep people safe on the streets”.

Jack started developing the app using his own money in the final year of his computer science course, and successfully pitched the idea to Big Ideas Wales, a government scheme which supports young individuals in developing their business plans.

RouteBuddies – was developed by Jack Blundell, a 23-year-old Cardiff University alum-turned entrepreneur (Route Buddies)

Jack’s business advisor Amanda Ataou said: “RouteBuddies is an inclusive and passionate business with a sole aim to make the streets a safer place for everyone. I have no doubt that this business will change the lives of so many young people across the country.”

So, what does the future look like for RouteBuddies? Jack revealed that he has plans to globalise the app, eventually seeing “every major city being covered” by RouteBuddies.

He added: “We want the app to facilitate a different kind of travel, one that competes with leading taxi apps, and we see room for its use in third world countries, especially.”

You can download the RouteBuddies app on the App Store or Google Play Store. To get Cardiff stories straight to your inbox, subscribe to our daily newsletter here.

Read next

The two Welsh cocktail bars named among the 50 best in the UK

Sir Tom Jones sells out Cardiff Castle gig in 10 minutes and tickets for extra date snapped up too

Ryanair ramps up presence at Cardiff Airport as it launches new route

Travel expert Simon Calder asked for 'signature' pubs to visit in Cardiff and got these responses

Tributes paid to 'wonderful' great-grandparents who died just six days apart

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.