Project Brief
An app designed to unite cycling enthusiasts for shared adventures, enhancing safety and community.
Why a Cycling app?
Cycling has been a passion of mine for quite some time. Whenever I’m out and about, I often spot groups of cyclists passing by, and I can’t help but wonder how they formed their group. The thing is, I don’t personally know anyone who shares my enthusiasm for cycling. I’ve often thought about joining them or even starting a group of my own, but the logistics seem daunting. Even if I were to gather a group, it’s unlikely that everyone would be available at the same time.
To address this challenge, I decided to create an app that would connect cycling enthusiasts like myself with others who share the same passion.
Problem Statement
It can be challenging for individuals to find cyclists who are willing to join them for long rides. You have the option to find people nearby or far away, depending on the distance you prefer, for a ride. It is designed for casual cycling enthusiasts who don’t regularly go for rides, but regular cyclists can also benefit from it.
Some Observations
People have different levels of experiences in cycling which creates a hierarchy between groups.
Everyone have different goals in their minds when it comes to how much distance they want to cover and on what terrain they want to have their ride.
If they want to meet someone through the app they might want some cross verifications through other socials to know them better first.
You might want to share your daily schedule for cycling with other people or keep it public so that people might contact you.
Competitive Analysis
Before starting the project I did competitive analysis to identify existing design patterns and flaws. Some of the apps were
Cyql
Cyqler
Link My Ride
The onboarding experience can significantly impact user engagement, with apps like Link My Ride offering smooth, user-friendly setup, while others feel less interactive or engaging.
Effective navigation and connectedness, like a global map to locate users, can keep people coming back, though the design needs to feel fresh and appealing.
Too many apps, such as Cyql, leave profiles feeling like setting screens, and lacking features to sustain interest.
In contrast, poor design, like Cyqler’s minimal structure and outdated feel, can be a quick turn-off when it lacks essential pages or organized information to ease usability.
Onboarding
We aim to highlight the nine most important qualities that foster a strong connection between the app and the user to meet their needs effectively. The abstract illustrations represent each of the nine words written there.
Old users can directly log in or can start their journey by answering a few questions.
You also be asked your preferences in riding and experience so that users would be matched accordingly. You have a create a basic profile with your name, social media accounts and location.
Initially, you’ll be prompted to provide your full name and choose a username for the app.
Then you’ll be asked about your level of cycling experience, with difficulty ranging from 1X to 4X.
What type of cycling rides do you prefer? Some may enjoy long rides, while others may appreciate the scenery. It ultimately depends on personal preference.
Knowing your location is crucial for other cyclists to understand your whereabouts.
Sign in with your Google account or Gmail, and it’s mandatory to connect at least one social media account.
Home, Ride Details
Share your journey with a post, inviting others to join and ride together. Alternatively, simply filter out the essentials to discover the best ride options available.
The difficulty has been divided into four levels to ensure that you are matched with individuals of similar skill levels and avoid those who may be more experienced than you.
There are different types of rides that people enjoy taking through cycling, and these have been categorized accordingly.
The number of people can also be filtered out as not everyone would want a small or a large group to travel with.
Map, Search
You can connect with people from around the globe for added convenience if you wish to meet a diverse range of individuals for your longer journey. And of course going through the post while filtering everything out will always remain an option.
Events, Calendar, Notifications
Filter your calendar for easier planning. You can make your calendar public so that other cyclists can view it and see if they would like to join you on a ride if possible.
As a cycling enthusiast, you’ll always want to stay updated on the latest events or competitions happening near you. A cycling competition never fails to excite anyone with a love for cycling. Stay ahead of others and actively participate in such competitions.
People not only want to stay informed about events but also about cycling professionals. Those less familiar with cycling will gain valuable information and be more motivated to continue cycling.
Profile
View anyone’s schedule to see if you’re interested in joining any of the rides.
To verify a person’s authenticity, you can view their social media accounts and get to know them better. Find out their preferred difficulty level, whether they ride regularly or casually, and check their rating based on feedback from other riders.
Create New Ride, Settings, Messages
Of course message, notifications, settings etc. are the other basic necessary features out there.
Posts your journey. Fill in the necessary details so that people with similar interests will only request to join in.
Challenges
One challenge I faced was ensuring the safety of users when meeting new people. How can we guarantee that the person you’re meeting isn’t someone undesirable? While connecting social media accounts is one method, I believe there’s still room for improvement in this area.
How do you categorize individuals based on their cycling skill level? After all, you wouldn’t want to connect with someone who isn’t on par with your abilities, as it could slow you down and detract from your enjoyment of the ride.
Moreover, people have different preferences when it comes to cycling. Some may prefer short 60-minute rides, while others are interested in multi-day journeys. Additionally, some individuals may be interested in competitive cycling. How would you even categorize these diverse preferences?
Takeaways
Being a cycling enthusiast myself, this idea was particularly close to my heart. I’ve always yearned to connect with fellow cyclists but didn’t know how to make it happen. After all, while riding alone can be enjoyable, embarking on a long journey is much more fulfilling with company, isn’t it? A group ride sounds ideal.
Developing this application taught me a lot. I gained insights into the diverse requirements of people, the varying difficulty levels they prefer, and how individuals perceive others as unique beings, with some seeking connections while others may not.
While the app isn’t flawless, I believe it holds immense potential for cyclists who wish to meet like-minded enthusiasts and have a great time together.
