CycleSG
The Brief
Conduct user research to identify an issue related to transportation in Singapore and propose a design solution.
Narrowing the Scope
After conducting an initial round of user interviews with general public revolving transportation in Singapore, the scope was narrowed down to cycling as the area is rather uncovered and issues were more prevalent. Another round of user interviews was conducted with frequent cyclist and recreational cyclist (age 20-60) to better understand the cycling culture in Singapore. Users were interviewed on bicycle ownership, frequency and purpose of cycle and experiences of cycling in Singapore. Users were also consulted on their thoughts on cycling as a main commute to work, their considerations and range of travel.
Synthesising Data
The results were gathered into an affinity map and synthesised into 4 main points:
- Users are unsure of the best route to their destinations and think without dedicated bike lanes, cycling alongside vehicles on the road is dangerous.
- There is no ideal app available in Singapore that provides cycling route advice. At present, users get around by using the car or walking directions from Google Maps, explore the routes themselves or try to search for recommended routes from other cyclists.
- Singapore is hot
and users are reluctant to cycle as they will perspire. - Cyclists have to push their bicycle for long distance
for repair if their bicycle breaks down along the way. Worries about the security of bicycles when parked in the open.
Identifying Gaps and Opportunities
Contextual inquiry was also conducted in park connectors, routes with cyclist and areas with parking facilities to identify gaps. A quick tour around several parking facilities revealed that security measures have been placed in place and online statistics from the police have shown that
The Hypothesis
We believe creating a digital platform to facilitate the access of safe cycling routes, shower facilities, secure parking spots, and repairs, we make commuting by cycling more desirable for cyclist.
Key Features
With the hypothesis, we know that the app should help users with the following:
- Search for convenient and safe cycling routes.
- The app will show the safest and most convenient route but also provide alternative route options. It should include filters to avoid traffic lights, to prioritise bicycle lanes or park connectors, avoid staircases, uphills etc.
- Search for end-of-trip facilities such as showers or parking spots.
- Include information on proximity to destination, operating hours, charges, camera surveillance (for assurance) etc.
- Access repair service on-the-spot or scheduled.
- The app should show users the nearest repair facility, link users up with the service, provide information on cost and allow them to be able to arrange for service through the app.
With the key functionalities in mind, user flows were drafted for an overview of activities and frames on the app.
Design Considerations
Onemap is used as the base map for the app. It is the authoritative national map of Singapore with the most detailed and timely updated information developed by the Singapore Land Authority. For information on bicycle lanes or development of filters in the app, eg. avoiding upslope or traffic lights, the information can be accessed through government agencies that built the map. The app, in turn, can help facilitate the cycling culture that the government is working to adopt. The map was also tested to be user-friendly by participants of the usability testings.
Registration postponed: To encourage the usage of the mapping service, the app does not require users to sign in upon launch. However, users are required to register for an account only when they would like to use account-specific functions such as repair services and to enjoy future perks (eg. Collaboration with healthy 365 campaign or enhance bike security feature).
Personalisation: Filters to be easily accessible so users can choose routes or facilities base on their preference.
Learnability: The app is designed with mapping service conventions in mind and key functions easy to access. Bicycle lanes in the app are also coloured to reflect those in the physical environment.
Prototyping, Usability Testings and Iterations
A total of 3 rounds of usability testings and iterations were made to better the usability and user flow of the app. Users tested 4 scenarios revolving the key features – to plan a route, to search for a parking facility, to check for shower facility and to arrange for on-the-spot repair service.
From the feedback gathered, these are the main areas of revision:
Improvement of visual cues and user flows.
On-boarding to explain the features available in the app. Feature such as on-site repair service is new to the users and the feature is only available after users are logged in.
More convenience for users – when navigating, users will be prompt if they would like to be taken to the nearest parking facility of the address, voice navigation was also added to make it safer for the cyclist to navigate while cycling.
By the last round of iteration, all 100% of the users were able to complete the task scenarios with ease.
Try the latest version of the prototype here:
https://invis.io/BESX7I8AYCG
Some Thoughts and Future Development
The process of usability testings was enjoyable as it was insightful and light-hearted. Users who tested for the usability testings were excited about exploring the app. We engaged in long chats after the tests on how the app could be further improved. Some of the users thought the app is useful and would love to see its fruition. A recreational cyclist also feedbacks that even though he doesn’t cycle often, he would use the app to find the route to jog home from his workplace.
While the main bulk of the work was trying to figure the MVP, user flow and the content of the app, the following are points for consideration for future development and improvement:
UI Design
Integration with Healthy 365 by Health Promotion Board to unlock rewards such as credits for shower or parking. To be able to track journeys, total travelled distance and share achievements.
Reminders of good cycling habits and road safety measures (eg. dismount and push when users arrive at bridges).
Weather forecast (if parts of the route that user is taking will be raining).
User Generated Content features: Interesting routes to discover, road works, road blocks or unsafe roads for travel, report potholes etc.