Boulder B-Cycle
Product Redesign
Sustainable Commute
UX Research
Timeline
3 Weeks
Role
Product Designer
Tools
Figma
Problem
Out of the 100 students who rely on these bikes, only half of the bikes are accessible on campus, with at least one-third of them inoperable. This means that only a mere 34% of the student population can effectively utilize these bikes.
Goal
The goal is to enable CU Boulder students to effortlessly blend Boulder B Cycle into their daily routines, promoting a culture of green commuting and ecological accountability. The report ought to act as a guide for enhancing the Boulder B Cycle system, turning it into a dependable and pleasurable commuting solution for the CU Boulder community.
Prototype
Research
User Interview Insights
During this project, I conducted 8 user interviews with CU Boulder students experienced with Boulder B Cycle. Affinity mapping revealed key pain points and themes:
Accessibility Issues: Difficulty locating and accessing bikes.
Maintenance Concerns: Frequent inoperable bikes.
User Experience: Complicated registration and ride processes. These insights are crucial in guiding design decisions to enhance the B Cycle experience.
User Survey Insights
Along with user interviews, I also conducted user surveys. I was able to get 52 responses by sharing the survey link on my social media and with my peers and professors. This helped me get some hard data to guide the general information architecture of the app.
Digging Deeper
User feedback varied from mixed to significantly negative experiences, highlighting issues with bike availability, maintenance, and app usability. Key insights included:
Users were motivated by:
Eco-Friendliness: A desire to reduce their carbon footprint and align with sustainability values.
Convenience: The cost-effectiveness and ease of biking for daily commutes.
Curiosity: Exploring Boulder in a novel way and discovering new cycling experiences.
Users' needs included:
Reliability: Well-maintained bikes and prompt maintenance services.
Safety: Ensuring a secure and enjoyable riding experience.
Accessibility: Availability of bikes during peak hours and convenient docking station locations.
Users were frustrated by:
Bike Unavailability: Difficulty finding functional bikes when needed.
Maintenance Delays: Slow responses to repair issues.
App Usability: Challenges in locating bikes and docking stations, highlighting the need for a more intuitive interface.
Crafting Personas
To understand user needs within the Boulder B Cycle system, I created personas: Alina, the Frustrated Commuter, and Steve, the Daily Biker. These personas guide the project's focus on improving bike functionality, maintenance, and user support for a more reliable experience.
Narrowing The Scope
Based on user interviews and identified pain points, I proposed three key features to enhance Boulder B Cycle: interactive maps, real-time availability updates, and community-building through gamification. These features target specific user concerns about bike availability, maintenance, and app usability.
After careful consideration, I identified gamification as the killer feature. This involves rewarding users with eco-conscious badges for sustainable commuting behaviors. This approach not only addresses practical challenges but also creates an engaging experience that promotes environmentally friendly habits. Focusing on this feature aims to improve user satisfaction and foster community engagement and environmental responsibility.
"Killer" Feature
The standout feature of this project is gamification, which rewards users with eco-conscious badges for sustainable commuting behaviors. By tracking and acknowledging users who frequently use Boulder B Cycle, complete a set number of rides, or ride during peak eco-friendly hours, the system awards badges, enhancing a sense of achievement and community engagement.
Moreover, real-time updates on environmental impacts, such as calories burned, carbon emissions reduced, and car miles avoided, can inform users of their positive contributions. This gamified approach not only encourages sustainable choices but also fosters pride and shared responsibility among CU Boulder students, making daily commutes rewarding and environmentally impactful.
User-Testing
I conducted tests with seven participants, both in person and remotely, to evaluate the engagement with gamification and the response to environmental updates. Here are the key observations, feedback, and recommendations:
Observation:
Positive response to the gamification element rewarding sustainable commuting behaviors.
Strong interest in earning eco-conscious badges and tracking environmental impact.
Feedback:
Engagement Enhancement: Gamification made the B Cycle experience more engaging and rewarding.
Environmental Awareness: Real-time environmental impact updates were seen as valuable for increasing eco-consciousness.
Recommendation:
Implement Gamification: Introduce gamification elements to reward sustainable commuting habits.
Environmental Impact Updates: Integrate real-time updates on positive environmental contributions.
User testing results were overwhelmingly positive. Participants were eager to earn eco-conscious badges and track their environmental impact, finding the concept engaging and beneficial for enhancing their B Cycle experience. Real-time environmental updates were also welcomed as a tool for increasing sustainability awareness. These insights will guide the refinement of features to ensure an optimal user experience.
High-Fidelity Wireframes
Home
Bike Selection
Ride Details
Profile
Conclusion
Through extensive research, testing, and iteration, I developed a project that resonates with my fellow students and promotes sustainable behaviors. As a designer, I believe in creating sustainable solutions that seamlessly integrate into daily life. This project taught me that collaboration is essential, as I couldn't handle everything alone. With support from professors, mentors, and friends, I stayed motivated and met deadlines. Moving forward, I plan to better organize tasks and set realistic expectations, allowing room for setbacks. This project was a valuable learning experience that honed my design skills. Highly recommended!