USA Cycling:

A UX Case Study

USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling in the United States. With a mission to develop the sport of cycling in the United States at all levels and to achieve sustained international racing success, USA Cycling supports cyclists from enthusiasts just beginning in the sport to seasoned professionals. They are best known for developing cyclists to represent the United States in international competition, but equally important is their support of amateur bike racing through grassroots development programs and promoting local organized racing.

The Challenge

The USA Cycling app is outdated and not user-friendly. Many racers rarely use it and non-racing cyclists have no reason to download it. It suffers from neglect, resulting in missing links, obsolete information, and a lack of compelling engagement.

The Task

Our first step in understanding the challenge was to identify our user. Originally we imagined our primary user as being a current bike racer. USA Cycling is dedicated to racing so this user would be a given. Subsequently, all functions should satisfy the needs of this user. Such functions could include race results, statistical opponents, medals, personal bests, future events, and event registration. However, to further expand the reach and the future sustainability of USA Cycling, this app would also need to embrace another set of users; the occasional or new cyclists. These users are more interested in experiences, community, and adventure so these needs must be met. Such functions could include event promotion, training how-tos, community forums and chats, and beginner tips.

The Solution

The new and improved USA Cycling app will have a modern and bold aesthetic to represent the pride of American cycling. It will be advances enough to provide racers of all levels the necessary tools to be their very best, while the app will also be inclusive enough to welcome the new and inexperienced riders. The USA Cycling app will also integrate with the most popular cycling applications like Strava, Garmin Connect, and Map-My-Ride. We hope this app will be the gateway for riders and racers alike to embrace the health, camaraderie, and thrills that cycling provides.

This solution is based on four core tenets:

ASK users what they want and deliver that
Make the app BOLD and FUN to use
Create proprietary content ONLY found here
INTEGRATE with the most popular cycling apps

UX Design Process

We outline the process of gathering user information and feedback and translating that data into the visual style and working function of the app.

Empathy Maps

This is a simple visual tool that captures knowledge about a user’s behaviors and attitudes.

Storyboarding

This is our graphic organizer, helping us pre-visualize a user’s interaction with a task or action.

Visual User Flows

Illustrates the path a user may follow through our app to complete a task, such as making a purchase.

User Testing

Utilizing interviews, user testing provides valuable feedback and insights into what users think and desire.

Iteration Process

Visual comparisons between two design iterations, highlighting differences and improvements. (A & B)

Visual Design

Imagery, color, shapes, and typography enhances usability and improve the user experience.

Prototyping

A prototype is a working simulation of a functional product. It helps users understand a product.

Micro Interactions

Micro-interactions are small events that have a single purpose , often to improve usability or delight.

Empathy Maps

Storyboarding

Visual User Flow

Task Flow: Check My Results

Task Flow: Find A Race

Task Flow: View My License Onsite

VISUAL DESIGN:
Let’s Make it POP!

As the national governing body for the sport of cycling in the United States, I felt it was important to imbue the USA Cycling app with bold colors, symbolic of the United States and our national flag, but with a modern twist. Styles were kept simple and minimal. Vivid photography is used to instill vibrancy, interest, and dynamism.