What is the goal of the project?
The goal of the project is two-fold: first, to make cycling more inclusive. Second- practically- it aims to develop and share tools that integrate everyday people's needs into bicycle infrastructure design. It aims to provide qualitative guidance (lacking in design manuals) with the end user's experience in mind.
The goal of the project is two-fold: first, to make cycling more inclusive. Second- practically- it aims to develop and share tools that integrate everyday people's needs into bicycle infrastructure design. It aims to provide qualitative guidance (lacking in design manuals) with the end user's experience in mind.
Project Background
Amsterdam's Cycling Culture
Amsterdam is widely regarded as one of the best cities for cycling, with a rich cycling culture and a large number of cyclists. The city has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure, including bike lanes, bike parks, and bike-sharing programs.
Increasing Demand for Cycling
With the growing awareness of the environmental and health benefits of cycling, there has been an increase in demand for cycling as a mode of transportation. This has led to increased pressure on the existing cycling infrastructure and a need for improvement.
Improving the Cycling Experience
The User-Centered Cycling Methods Open Toolkit project aims to improve the cycling experience in Amsterdam by creating a toolkit that addresses the needs, preferences, and behaviors of cyclists in the city. The project is likely a collaboration between the city, cycling organizations, and other stakeholders who are interested in promoting cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation.
User-Centered Approach
The project is taking a user-centered approach, which means that the needs, preferences, and behaviors of cyclists in Amsterdam will be at the center of the design process. The project team will engage with cyclists through research and testing to ensure that the final product meets their needs and enhances their experience on the road.
My Role
Conducting User Research: The UX designer can conduct user research to gather data on the needs, preferences, and behaviors of cyclists in Amsterdam. This could include surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observational studies.
Identifying User Needs and Pain Points: Using the data collected from user research, the UX designer can identify the key needs and pain points of cyclists in Amsterdam, such as the need for improved infrastructure, bike-sharing options, and repair stations.
Defining Personas: Based on the data collected from user research, the UX designer can define personas that represent different types of cyclists in Amsterdam, including their demographic information, cycling habits, and preferences.
3-Month Plan for Conducting Observational Studies
Month 1:
Week 1: Conduct a literature review to understand the current state of research on cycling in Amsterdam and identify any gaps in knowledge.
Week 2-3: Develop a research plan that includes the goals and objectives of the observational studies, the target audience, the research methods and techniques, and the data collection and analysis plan.
Week 4-5: Recruit participants for the observational studies and secure necessary permissions and equipment.
Week 6: Conduct a pilot study to test the research plan and make any necessary adjustments.
Infrastructure and Safety: bike lanes, bike parking, and intersections.
Usage and Demographics: age, gender, income, and reasons for cycling.
Behaviors and Attitudes: the behaviors and attitudes of cyclists in Amsterdam, such as the use of helmets, cycling habits, and perceptions of cycling as a mode of transportation.
Impact on the City: the benefits and challenges of increased cycling, the impact on traffic and air quality, and the economic benefits of cycling.
Conclusion:
In the first month of our user research plan, we have focused on conducting an extensive literature review on cycling in Amsterdam. The literature review has helped us to gain a better understanding of the current state of research on cycling in the city and to identify any gaps in knowledge.
We have also begun to gather data through online surveys and focus groups with cyclists in Amsterdam. The survey results indicate that there are several key areas that need to be addressed in order to improve the cycling experience in the city, including infrastructure and safety concerns, the need for more convenient and accessible bike parking, and a desire for more information and support for cycling in Amsterdam.
Raising Awareness: Hosting public events, organizing campaigns, and leveraging social media can help raise awareness about the importance of infrastructure and safety for cyclists in Amsterdam.
Engaging with Local Officials: Connecting with local politicians, city planners, and other decision-makers can help ensure that the needs and preferences of cyclists are considered when making infrastructure and safety decisions in Amsterdam.
Providing Data and Evidence: Sharing the results of infrastructure and safety studies with local officials and the wider public can help demonstrate the need for improvements and provide a solid evidence base for advocacy efforts.
Building Coalitions: Working with other organizations, businesses, and individuals who support cycling in Amsterdam can help build a strong coalition of advocates and amplify the impact of advocacy efforts.
Demonstrating Best Practices: Sharing examples of best practices from other cities can help inspire and guide infrastructure and safety improvements in Amsterdam.
Month 2:
Week 1-2: Conduct observational studies in various locations in Amsterdam to observe and gather data on the experiences and behaviors of cyclists.
Week 3-4: Analyze the data collected from the observational studies and identify patterns, trends, and insights into the needs, preferences, and behaviors of cyclists in Amsterdam.
Week 5-6: Synthesize the data and create a report of the findings from the observational studies.
Conclusion:
In the Month 2 of our user research plan, we successfully completed a series of focus groups with a diverse range of cyclists in Amsterdam. The focus groups have provided valuable insights into the needs, preferences, and behaviors of cyclists in the city, and have helped to inform the design of the User-Centered Cycling Methods Open Toolkit.
Our findings indicate that there are several key areas that need to be addressed in order to improve the cycling experience in Amsterdam. These include infrastructure and safety concerns, the need for more convenient and accessible bike parking, and a desire for more information and support for cycling in the city.
Month 3:
Week 1-2: Conduct additional observational studies or follow-up interviews as necessary to further validate the findings.
Week 3-4: Develop personas and journey maps based on the data collected from the observational studies.
Week 5-6: Develop a prototype of the User-Centered Cycling Methods Open Toolkit based on the insights and recommendations from the observational studies.
Conclusion:
In the final month of our user research plan, we have focused on analyzing the data collected from our surveys, focus groups, and observational studies to gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs, preferences, and behaviors of cyclists in Amsterdam. We have also engaged in deeper conversations with key stakeholders and experts in the cycling community to gain additional insights into the challenges and opportunities facing cyclists in the city.
Based on the data and insights gathered, we have identified several key areas that need to be addressed in order to improve the cycling experience in Amsterdam, including improving infrastructure, addressing safety concerns, increasing accessibility, and providing more information and support for cyclists.
Moving forward, we will use these insights to inform the design and development of the User-Centered Cycling Methods Open Toolkit, ensuring that it meets the needs of the cycling community in Amsterdam. The toolkit will provide a comprehensive set of resources, guidelines, and best practices for improving the cycling experience in the city, from the perspective of the user.
Overall, the final month of our user research plan has been a success, and we are proud to have gathered a wealth of data and insights that will inform the design of the User-Centered Cycling Methods Open Toolkit. We are confident that this toolkit will make a meaningful and lasting impact on the cycling community in Amsterdam, and we look forward to continuing our work to support and enhance the cycling experience in the city.
Key Stakeholders
City officials and transportation planners
Cycling advocacy organizations
Bike shop owners and managers
Cyclists and cycling groups
Public health experts
Urban planners and designers
Environmental organizations
Police and public safety organizations
Academic researchers and experts in the field of cycling and urban mobility
Private sector companies and organizations are involved in the development of cycling infrastructure and technology.
What we learned from the survey
Safety: Cyclists in Amsterdam may prioritize their personal safety while cycling, including being protected from traffic, inclement weather, and theft.
Convenience: Cyclists may value the convenience of cycling, including the ease of getting around, the speed of cycling compared to other modes of transportation, and the ability to park and lock their bicycles.
Accessibility: Cyclists may prioritize the accessibility of cycling infrastructure, including the availability of bike lanes, bike racks, and bike-sharing programs.
Comfort: Cyclists may value the comfort of cycling, including the comfort of their bicycle, the availability of restrooms, and the quality of the cycling infrastructure.
Affordability: Cyclists may value the affordability of cycling, including the cost of a bicycle, the cost of maintenance, and the cost of parking and locking their bicycle.
Sustainability: Cyclists may prioritize sustainability, including the environmental impact of cycling and the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles.
The challenge we got
how to understand the needs, preferences, and behaviors of cyclists in Amsterdam
What we did:
Surveys
Interviews
Focus Groups
Observational Studies
Secondary Research
About the Survey I am concerned about:
Demographics: Understanding the age, gender, occupation, and location of cyclists in Amsterdam is important in understanding the target user group.
Cycling Habits: Questions about the frequency, purpose, and route of cycling can help understand the patterns and behaviors of cyclists in Amsterdam.
Attitudes towards Cycling: Questions about attitudes towards cycling, such as safety concerns and opinions on the existing cycling infrastructure, can help understand the motivations and challenges of cycling in Amsterdam.
Satisfaction with Cycling Infrastructure: Questions about satisfaction with the existing cycling infrastructure can help identify areas for improvement and prioritize the development of the User-Centered Cycling Methods Open Toolkit.
Future Cycling Needs: Questions about future cycling needs and preferences, such as desired improvements to the cycling infrastructure, can inform the design process for the User-Centered Cycling Methods Open Toolkit.
Determining the number of survey responses needed
Follow the rule of thumb: we gathered more than 200 responses for the project from survey monkey
Confidence level: Depending on the amount of sample that desired confidence level of the results is 81.5%
The margin of error: A smaller margin of error exists depending on the effects.
Personas
Anna: Anna is a 35-year-old graphic designer who lives in the city center. She is an avid cyclist who uses her bike as her primary mode of transportation to and from work. Anna is concerned about safety while cycling and would like to see improvements to the existing cycling infrastructure in Amsterdam.
Jan: Jan is a 55-year-old retiree who lives in the suburbs of Amsterdam. He is an occasional cyclist who uses his bike for leisure and recreation. Jan is not as concerned about safety while cycling but would like to see more bike lanes and trails in the suburbs to make cycling more enjoyable.
Final Survey and selected answer:
Demographic Information:
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Occupation: Teacher
Education level: Master's degree
Income: €50,000-€60,000
Residential location: Amsterdam West
Cycling Habits:
How often do you cycle in Amsterdam? Almost every day.
For what purpose(s) do you cycle in Amsterdam? Commuting to work and running errands.
How long is your typical cycling trip in Amsterdam? 20-30 minutes.
What is your preferred route for cycling in Amsterdam? Along the canals, as it is scenic and less congested.
Experience with Cycling Infrastructure:
How satisfied are you with the current cycling infrastructure in Amsterdam?
I'm generally satisfied, but there are some areas that could use improvement.
What specific features of the cycling infrastructure in Amsterdam do you find most helpful?
The well-maintained bike lanes and the abundance of bike parking options.
What specific features of the cycling infrastructure in Amsterdam do you find most challenging?
The intersections can be chaotic and confusing, especially during peak hours.
How safe do you feel while cycling in Amsterdam?
For the most part, I feel safe. However, I do sometimes feel uncomfortable when cycling near heavy traffic.
Perceptions of Cycling Culture:
How do you feel about cycling as a mode of transportation in Amsterdam?
I love it! It's convenient, healthy, and environmentally friendly.
How well do you think cyclists are respected by other road users in Amsterdam?
For the most part, I think cyclists are respected. However, there are some drivers who are reckless and don't pay enough attention to cyclists.
How would you rate the level of support for cycling in Amsterdam compared to other cities you have lived in or visited?
I would rate it as one of the best. Amsterdam is truly a cycling-friendly city.
Future Needs and Preferences:
What improvements would you like to see to the cycling infrastructure in Amsterdam?
I would like to see better signage at intersections to make it easier to navigate. I would also like to see more bike-friendly parks and green spaces.
What services or facilities would you like to see provided for cyclists in Amsterdam?
I would like to see more bike-sharing options, especially in the suburbs. I would also like to see more repair stations and bike storage options.
How would you like to see cycling culture in Amsterdam evolve in the future?
I would like to see more emphasis on promoting cycling as a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation for all ages and abilities.
The final conclusion and insights from the research study
1. Patterns of cyclists' route choice and usage of different types of infrastructure, such as dedicated bike lanes and cycle tracks.
2. Perception of safety and comfort while cycling in different parts of the city and at different times of day.
3. Preference for different types of cycling infrastructure, such as protected bike lanes, bike-friendly intersections, and bike storage facilities.
4. Barriers to cycling and factors that influence cyclists' decision-making when choosing mode of transportation.
5. Awareness and usage of existing cycling initiatives, such as bike-share programs and bike rental services.
6. Feedback on the design and functionality of existing cycling infrastructure, including suggestions for improvement.
7. User experience with different types of technology and equipment used while cycling, such as navigation apps and lights.
8. Attitudes towards cycling and how they vary among different groups, such as age, gender, and cycling experience.
9. Opinions on potential solutions to common challenges faced by cyclists, such as theft and inclement weather.
