diff --git a/apps/site/functions/join/_form.ts b/apps/site/functions/join/_form.ts
index cfee767d..46ba9a95 100644
--- a/apps/site/functions/join/_form.ts
+++ b/apps/site/functions/join/_form.ts
@@ -26,11 +26,7 @@ const TEXT_FIELDS: [string, keyof JoinInput][] = [
 ];
 
 function restoreTravelAnswers(rewriter: HTMLRewriter, input: JoinInput): HTMLRewriter {
-  const checked = [
-    ...(input.ownsCar === 'yes' ? ['car'] : []),
-    ...input.micromobility,
-    ...(input.ownsCar === 'no' && input.micromobility.length === 0 ? ['none'] : []),
-  ];
+  const checked = [...(input.ownsCar === 'yes' ? ['car'] : []), ...input.micromobility];
   for (const answer of checked) {
     rewriter = rewriter.on(`input[name="transport_options"][value="${answer}"]`, {
       element(element) {
diff --git a/apps/site/platform/core/join-form.ts b/apps/site/platform/core/join-form.ts
index 33ad202a..6fdba31d 100644
--- a/apps/site/platform/core/join-form.ts
+++ b/apps/site/platform/core/join-form.ts
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ export interface JoinInput {
   honeypot: string;
 }
 
-export type JoinField = 'email' | 'zip' | 'phone' | 'consent';
+export type JoinField = 'email' | 'given_name' | 'zip' | 'phone' | 'consent';
 export type JoinErrors = Partial<Record<JoinField, 'invalid' | 'required'>>;
 
 const EMAIL_PATTERN = /^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/;
@@ -118,6 +118,7 @@ export function formatPhone(e164: string): string {
 export function validateJoin(input: JoinInput): JoinErrors {
   const errors: JoinErrors = {};
   if (!EMAIL_PATTERN.test(input.email)) errors.email = input.email ? 'invalid' : 'required';
+  if (input.origin === 'join_form' && !input.givenName.trim()) errors.given_name = 'required';
   if (input.zip && !/^\d{5}$/.test(input.zip)) errors.zip = 'invalid';
   if (input.phone && normalizePhone(input.phone) === null) errors.phone = 'invalid';
   if (!input.consent) errors.consent = 'required';
diff --git a/apps/site/platform/messages/en.ts b/apps/site/platform/messages/en.ts
index 0f8c9e06..15b48136 100644
--- a/apps/site/platform/messages/en.ts
+++ b/apps/site/platform/messages/en.ts
@@ -12,9 +12,11 @@ export const en = {
     intro:
       "Members get LVBT's updates, invitations to events and a say in what we work on. It's free.",
     emailLabel: 'Email address',
-    givenNameLabel: 'First name (optional)',
+    givenNameLabel: 'First name',
+    givenNameError: 'Enter your first name',
     familyNameLabel: 'Last name (optional)',
     phoneLabel: 'Phone number (optional)',
+    phoneHint: 'Only for questions about your membership. LVBT updates come by email.',
     interestsHeading: 'What are you interested in? (optional)',
     interestEvents: 'Coming to events',
     interestMeetings: 'Speaking up at public meetings',
@@ -23,9 +25,8 @@ export const en = {
     discordUsernameLabel: 'Discord username (optional)',
     discordUsernameHint: 'We can use this later to give you the right roles in our server.',
     transportHeading: 'What do you own for getting around? (optional)',
-    transportHint: 'Select all that apply.',
+    transportHint: 'Select all that apply, or leave this blank.',
     transportCar: 'Car',
-    transportNone: 'None of these',
     micromobilityBike: 'Bike (traditional)',
     micromobilityEbike: 'E-bike',
     micromobilityScooter: 'Scooter',
diff --git a/apps/site/public/scripts/join-steps.js b/apps/site/public/scripts/join-steps.js
index 7529b49e..9ee8cb23 100644
--- a/apps/site/public/scripts/join-steps.js
+++ b/apps/site/public/scripts/join-steps.js
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
     const continueButton = form.querySelector('[data-join-continue]');
     const backButton = form.querySelector('[data-join-back]');
     const email = form.querySelector('[name="email"]');
+    const givenName = form.querySelector('[name="given_name"]');
     const consent = form.querySelector('[name="consent"]');
     const items = progress.querySelectorAll('li');
     const basicHeading = document.querySelector('[data-join-heading-basic]');
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@
         continueButton,
         backButton,
         email,
+        givenName,
         consent,
         basicHeading,
         interestsHeading,
@@ -66,26 +68,17 @@
 
     function continueToInterests() {
       if (!email.reportValidity()) return;
+      if (!givenName.value.trim()) givenName.setCustomValidity('Enter your first name');
+      else givenName.setCustomValidity('');
+      if (!givenName.reportValidity()) return;
       if (!consent.reportValidity()) return;
       show(2);
     }
 
     second.hidden = true;
+    givenName.addEventListener('input', () => givenName.setCustomValidity(''));
     continueButton.addEventListener('click', continueToInterests);
     backButton.addEventListener('click', () => show(1));
-    form.querySelector('#transport_options')?.addEventListener('change', (event) => {
-      const changed = event.target;
-      if (!changed?.matches?.('input[name="transport_options"]') || !changed.checked) return;
-      const options = form.querySelectorAll('input[name="transport_options"]');
-      if (changed.value === 'none') {
-        options.forEach((option) => {
-          if (option.value !== 'none') option.checked = false;
-        });
-      } else {
-        const none = form.querySelector('input[name="transport_options"][value="none"]');
-        if (none) none.checked = false;
-      }
-    });
     form.addEventListener(
       'submit',
       (event) => {
diff --git a/apps/site/src/components/NewsletterEmbed.astro b/apps/site/src/components/NewsletterEmbed.astro
index 003f9b14..65cc094f 100644
--- a/apps/site/src/components/NewsletterEmbed.astro
+++ b/apps/site/src/components/NewsletterEmbed.astro
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ const { variant = 'light', compact = false, stack = false } = Astro.props;
       aria-label="Email address"
       placeholder="you@example.com"
       aria-describedby="newsletter-status"
-      class="flex-1 min-w-0 px-4 py-3 border-2 border-current bg-transparent placeholder:opacity-80 focus:outline-hidden"
+      class="flex-1 min-w-0 px-4 py-3 border-2 border-on-surface bg-surface-container text-on-surface placeholder:opacity-80 focus:outline-hidden"
     />
     <button
       type="submit"
diff --git a/apps/site/src/components/PagefindSearch.astro b/apps/site/src/components/PagefindSearch.astro
index 18c6df0a..dcd06698 100644
--- a/apps/site/src/components/PagefindSearch.astro
+++ b/apps/site/src/components/PagefindSearch.astro
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ const {
     min-height: 3rem;
     width: 100%;
     border: 2px solid var(--color-outline);
-    background: var(--color-surface);
+    background: var(--color-surface-container);
     padding: 0.75rem 0.9rem;
     color: var(--color-on-surface);
   }
diff --git a/apps/site/src/components/app/styles.ts b/apps/site/src/components/app/styles.ts
index a9d7c5e8..e731de79 100644
--- a/apps/site/src/components/app/styles.ts
+++ b/apps/site/src/components/app/styles.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ export const labelClass = 'block font-bold';
 export const hintClass = 'mt-1 text-sm max-w-prose';
 export const errorClass = 'mt-2 font-bold text-primary-ink';
 export const inputClass =
-  'mt-2 block w-full px-4 py-3 border-2 border-on-surface bg-surface text-on-surface disabled:opacity-60 aria-[invalid=true]:border-primary-ink';
+  'mt-2 block w-full px-4 py-3 border-2 border-on-surface bg-surface-container text-on-surface disabled:opacity-60 aria-[invalid=true]:border-primary-ink';
 export const choiceClass = 'mt-1 size-5 shrink-0 accent-primary';
 
 const buttonBase =
diff --git a/apps/site/src/components/join/JoinForm.astro b/apps/site/src/components/join/JoinForm.astro
index cf5fe136..97d94ea6 100644
--- a/apps/site/src/components/join/JoinForm.astro
+++ b/apps/site/src/components/join/JoinForm.astro
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ const { action } = Astro.props;
   heading={t('join.errorSummaryHeading')}
   errors={[
     { field: 'email', message: t('join.emailError') },
+    { field: 'given_name', message: t('join.givenNameError') },
     { field: 'phone', message: t('join.phoneError') },
     { field: 'consent', message: t('join.consentError') },
   ]}
@@ -48,13 +49,20 @@ const { action } = Astro.props;
     />
 
     <div class="grid gap-6 sm:grid-cols-2 max-w-md sm:max-w-none">
-      <TextField name="given_name" label={t('join.givenNameLabel')} autocomplete="given-name" />
+      <TextField
+        name="given_name"
+        label={t('join.givenNameLabel')}
+        autocomplete="given-name"
+        required
+        error={t('join.givenNameError')}
+      />
       <TextField name="family_name" label={t('join.familyNameLabel')} autocomplete="family-name" />
     </div>
 
     <TextField
       name="phone"
       label={t('join.phoneLabel')}
+      hint={t('join.phoneHint')}
       type="tel"
       autocomplete="tel-national"
       error={t('join.phoneError')}
@@ -118,7 +126,6 @@ const { action } = Astro.props;
         { value: 'e-bike', label: t('join.micromobilityEbike') },
         { value: 'scooter', label: t('join.micromobilityScooter') },
         { value: 'skateboard', label: t('join.micromobilitySkateboard') },
-        { value: 'none', label: t('join.transportNone') },
       ]}
     />
 
diff --git a/apps/site/tests/platform-core.test.ts b/apps/site/tests/platform-core.test.ts
index 1151cea2..eb7ab9ee 100644
--- a/apps/site/tests/platform-core.test.ts
+++ b/apps/site/tests/platform-core.test.ts
@@ -90,12 +90,14 @@ void test('membership status follows the newsletter consent', () => {
 void test('the join form reads and checks its fields', () => {
   const data = new FormData();
   data.append('email', ' Ana@Example.org ');
+  data.append('given_name', ' Ana ');
   data.append('interests', 'events');
   data.append('interests', 'not-a-real-interest');
   data.append('consent', 'yes');
   data.append('phone', '(702) 555-0123');
   const input = readJoinForm(data);
   assert.equal(input.email, 'ana@example.org');
+  assert.equal(input.givenName, 'Ana');
   assert.deepEqual(input.interests, ['events']);
   assert.equal(input.origin, 'join_form');
   assert.deepEqual(validateJoin(input), {});
@@ -103,6 +105,16 @@ void test('the join form reads and checks its fields', () => {
   assert.equal(normalizePhone('555-0123'), null);
 });
 
+void test('the member join form requires a first name, while the newsletter box does not', () => {
+  const data = new FormData();
+  data.set('email', 'ana@example.org');
+  data.set('consent', 'yes');
+  data.set('given_name', '   ');
+  assert.deepEqual(validateJoin(readJoinForm(data)), { given_name: 'required' });
+  data.set('origin', 'newsletter_box');
+  assert.deepEqual(validateJoin(readJoinForm(data)), {});
+});
+
 void test('messages fill values, choose plurals and pseudo-localize', () => {
   assert.equal(t('welcome.headingNamed', { name: 'Ana' }), 'Welcome to LVBT, Ana!');
   const catalog = { tries: { one: '{count} try left', other: '{count} tries left' } };
diff --git a/apps/site/tests/platform-join.test.ts b/apps/site/tests/platform-join.test.ts
index 67855d8d..c88b244e 100644
--- a/apps/site/tests/platform-join.test.ts
+++ b/apps/site/tests/platform-join.test.ts
@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@ function env(db: MemoryDb): PlatformEnv {
 
 function form(fields: Record<string, string | string[]>): JoinInput {
   const data = new FormData();
+  if (fields.origin !== 'newsletter_box' && !('given_name' in fields))
+    data.set('given_name', 'Ana');
   for (const [name, value] of Object.entries(fields)) {
     for (const item of Array.isArray(value) ? value : [value]) data.append(name, item);
   }
@@ -71,7 +73,7 @@ const inSunriseManor: GeocodeResult = {
   places: ['Sunrise Manor CDP'],
 };
 
-void test('joining with only an email and the box ticked makes a member everywhere', async () => {
+void test('joining with basic details and consent makes a member everywhere', async () => {
   const db = memoryDb();
   const { calls, fetcher } = fakeServices();
   const outcome = await processJoin(
@@ -98,6 +100,20 @@ void test('joining with only an email and the box ticked makes a member everywhe
   assert.equal(email.headers['List-Unsubscribe-Post'], 'List-Unsubscribe=One-Click');
 });
 
+void test('a blank first name prevents a member join before anything is saved', async () => {
+  const db = memoryDb();
+  const { calls, fetcher } = fakeServices();
+  const outcome = await processJoin(
+    env(db),
+    form({ email: 'ana@example.org', given_name: '   ', consent: 'yes' }),
+    '203.0.113.1',
+    { fetcher },
+  );
+  assert.deepEqual(outcome, { kind: 'invalid', errors: { given_name: 'required' } });
+  assert.equal(db.raw.prepare('SELECT count(*) AS n FROM people').get()?.n, 0);
+  assert.equal(calls.length, 0);
+});
+
 void test('join form keeps valid referral sources and selected micromobility options', () => {
   const input = form({
     referral: 'Partner_42',
@@ -114,9 +130,9 @@ void test('one getting-around question preserves car and micromobility answers',
   });
   assert.equal(selected.ownsCar, 'yes');
   assert.deepEqual(selected.micromobility, ['bike', 'e-bike', 'scooter', 'skateboard']);
-  const noVehicles = form({ transport_options: 'none' });
-  assert.equal(noVehicles.ownsCar, 'no');
-  assert.deepEqual(noVehicles.micromobility, []);
+  const unanswered = form({});
+  assert.equal(unanswered.ownsCar, null);
+  assert.deepEqual(unanswered.micromobility, []);
   const onlyBike = form({ transport_options: 'bike' });
   assert.equal(onlyBike.ownsCar, 'no');
   assert.deepEqual(onlyBike.micromobility, ['bike']);