BikeBud

Motivation

Biking was my first mode of transportation when I moved to Los Angeles. I quickly discovered the limitations of car-centric navigation apps and a fitness-focused landscape in existing bike apps. Seeing only a few regular cyclists in my area, I became curious about the bike-commuting scene.

My Contributions

Role: Solo UX/UI Designer. Research, Ideation, Wireframes, Low Fidelity design, High Fidelity Design, Prototyping, Usability Testing. In partial fulfillment of my UI/UX Design Certification from Springboard
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Duration: 10 Weeks

The Problem

"How might we make bike commuting in LA safer, more enjoyable, and supported by a thriving community?”

Only 1% of Los Angeles commuters choose bikes. Safety concerns, unreliable routes, and perceived inconvenience are major roadblocks. People often view driving or public transportation as the more attractive options. This discourages potential cyclists, even when biking could be a viable and beneficial choice.
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‍BikeBud aims to change that. Your dependable biking companion, keeping you safe and informed on every ride. BikeBud provides real-time route suggestions and alerts, prioritizing safety and efficiency. Beyond navigation, it fosters a thriving cycling community by connecting users with local deals, rewards, and events.

Solution Overview

Process

Secondary Research

For this project, I conducted primary and secondary research, starting with the latter to explore the challenges and preferences of bike commuters in navigation and community-building.

Primary Research

Persona

Goal Prioritization

Before ideating solutions, I mapped out and prioritized user goals to ensure the design met their needs. This approach led to three categories for the solutions: Technology-Driven, Policy and Advocacy-Driven, and Community-Building.

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Design

In designing the user flows for BikeBud, I prioritized simplicity and efficiency, recognizing that the app would be used by bike commuters who often multitask during their rides. The goal was to create flows that are concise yet comprehensive, ensuring that essential information is easily accessible without overwhelming the user.

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Initial sketches on paper helped identify basic functionalities and layout preferences.

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Initial Sketches of BikeBud's Home Screen

Wireflows for Red Route 2: Bike Commute/Navigate to Destination

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The medium-fidelity wireframes used in the wireflows were used for Guerrilla testing, this stage allowed for user feedback which led to the removal of non-essential features like 'Record.'

Final wireframes focused on MVP features, fine-tuned through continuous reference to initial research, ensuring utility for bike commuters.

The MVP

Minimum Viable Product

☑️ Be able to quickly report an accident/emergency if needed
☑️ Get turn-by-turn navigation with voice assist and visual guidance
☑️ View route options with estimated arrival times and distances
☑️ Receive real-time hazard alerts and warnings
☑️ Filter routes with various criteria i.e. bike lanes, elevation profile, traffic congestion
☑️ Discover bike groups, group rides
☑️ Discover bike-friendly businesses

High Fidelity Wireframes

User Testing

I conducted two rounds of moderated, in-person usability testing using the Maze platform to gather quantitative data. Participants performed key tasks such as creating an account, navigating to a destination, planning a ride, and exploring nearby offers.

BikeBud effectively pinpointed and addressed critical usability challenges of bike commuters. Bikebud resonates with the needs of the cycling community, as participants expressed enthusiasm for the app's potential, describing it as a fusion of their favorite cycling tools. While improvements still have to be made, BikeBud was able to directly tackle the core challenge of making bike commuting in LA safer and more attractive, paving the way for a significant shift towards cycling as a preferred mode of transport.

Lessons Learned

You Are Not the User: It’s eye-opening to see how differently users might interact with the app compared to what was initially envisioned. While the main focus was on navigation, the unexpected enthusiasm for the ride planning feature really spotlighted the importance of being adaptable and responsive to what users actually need.

‍Feedback is King: The evolution and refinement of this project owe a lot to the invaluable feedback from participants, mentors, and personal connections. Welcoming diverse perspectives is key to continuous improvement, steering the project towards better effectiveness and usability.

‍Don’t Lose Sight of Your “Why”: Keeping a firm grasp on the core purpose of the project is vital. It helps stay motivated and grounded through the design process. Even when working through simulated scenarios, the commitment to addressing real-world problems for bike commuters acts as a powerful motivator, pushing the project forward with purpose and significance.