Cyclist Case Study - Scott Floyd

About the Project

As part of a community effort to reduce carbon emissions and encourage alternate means of transportation, the city announced bike servicing areas that will be made available to the public. At these facilities, bicyclists will be able to find stations and tools to repair and maintain their bikes, and experts who can help them by appointment.

The Problem

As good for the environment as bicycling is, there are many barriers potential cyclists face to riding more often. We explored the many concerns and pain points people have when it comes to using bikes.

Challenge

How might we create a platform that helps cyclists easily find bike shops, trails, service centers, and connect with the cycling community?

Our Approach

1. Research

User interviews and surveys to understand cyclist needs and pain points

2. Define

Created personas and user journey maps based on research findings

3. Ideate

Brainstormed solutions and sketched initial concepts

4. Prototype

Built wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes for testing

User Research

We interviewed 8 cyclists to learn more about their concerns and needs. We also created a 16-question survey shared over social media to understand mobility needs and gather broader insights.

Survey results showing bike ownership and usage patterns

Key Takeaways:

Many cyclists use apps while biking for navigation and tracking
Most are aware of bike service centers and have used them in the past
Expanded locations and amenities would be welcomed
Safety concerns are a major barrier to more frequent cycling
E-bike riders have particular maintenance needs

"I had to get a new controller on my e-bike, it would have been nice to get a quote from multiple shops, because it was expensive!"

- Research Participant

User Personas

Based on our research, we created personas representing different types of cyclists and their unique needs.

User persona for cyclist community website

Alex - The Commuter Cyclist

Uses cycling as primary transportation to work. Needs reliable routes, service locations, and safety information. Values efficiency and dependability.

Sarah - The Recreational Rider

Enjoys weekend bike rides and exploring new trails. Interested in discovering new routes, connecting with other cyclists, and finding scenic paths.

Design Solutions

We focused on creating a comprehensive platform that addresses the core needs identified in our research.

Key Features:

Interactive Map: Find bike shops, trails, and service centers with location-based search
Service Booking: Schedule appointments with bike repair experts
Route Planning: Discover safe, scenic cycling routes
Community Features: Connect with local cycling groups and events
Reviews & Ratings: Help cyclists make informed decisions about services

User Testing & Iteration

We conducted usability testing throughout the design process to validate our solutions and identify areas for improvement.

                Testing Results
                92% task completion rate for finding nearby bike shops
85% user satisfaction with the booking process
Users particularly appreciated the integrated map and list views
Safety information features were highly valued

            

Key Learnings:

Location-based features are essential for cyclist apps
Users want both map and list view options for different contexts
Safety information significantly impacts user confidence
Simple, intuitive navigation is crucial for mobile use while cycling

Final Design

The final design successfully addressed the main pain points identified in our research while providing an intuitive, comprehensive platform for the cycling community.

Impact

The design created a centralized hub for cyclists to find services, plan routes, and connect with their community, ultimately supporting the city's goals of promoting cycling as sustainable transportation.

Cyclist

My Role

Tools

Timeline

Team