© The Subtle Pixel Studio, 2026-27

 

Product Name:
Byke
Platform:
Android - Mobile
Year:
2023
Tool used:
Figma, Notion, Survey Planet
OverviewOverviewOverview

Byke is a mobile-first pedal-cycle rental platform designed for Bangalore, a city struggling with congestion, pollution, and last-mile commuting challenges. While cycling offers a low-cost, sustainable alternative, it remains underutilized in India due to inconsistent services, infrastructure gaps, and weak habit-forming incentives.

This concept project was an opportunity to explore how a cycle rental platform could not just serve mobility needs, but promote healthier, greener habits across work, fitness, and leisure.

🧑‍🎨

Role:

Sole Designer

📆

Duration:

2 Week Sprint

🔍

User Interviewed:

8

📊

Survey Participants:

23

The ProblemThe ProblemThe Problem

Traffic congestion, pollution, and limited last-mile solutions plague Bangalore’s commuters. While cycling could solve these, it remains underutilized due to unsafe roads, lack of health/eco feedback, and inconsistent cycle availability. Byke aimed to convert cycling into a credible, trackable, and rewarding option across user types.

Context & Market InsightsContext & Market InsightsContext & Market Insights
  • India’s bike-sharing market was valued at USD 32.4 million in 2023 and is projected to grow steadily through 2030 (5% CAGR).
  • Bangalore has seen fragmented efforts e.g., Yulu, SmartBike but lacks an integrated, behavior-focused platform.
  • Globally, cities like Paris (Vélib’), New York (CitiBike), and London (Santander) show clear evidence that shared cycling improves health, lowers emissions, and reduces traffic by 8–12%.
  • In Copenhagen, consistent cycling was linked to a 3–5 year increase in life expectancy.

These insights validated the opportunity: Build a platform that enables seamless ride access, tracks user impact, and supports multiple use cases commute, health, environment, leisure.

My RoleMy RoleMy Role

I owned the entire UX process as a solo designer:

  • Conducted research (Survey Planet, interviews, competitor audit)
  • Developed personas, empathy maps, user journeys
  • Framed problem, goal, & hypothesis statements per persona
  • Created wireframes, IA, & high-fidelity UI with accessibility compliance
  • Prototyped in Figma and tested with 6 real users
  • Iterated based on feedback and usability data
My Design ProcessMy Design ProcessMy Design Process
User ResearchUser ResearchUser Research

I surveyed 22 individuals using Survey Planet & conducted 8 user interviews to uncover behavioral patterns, motivations, & pain points. I synthesized findings into four core personas, each backed by structured problem, goal, & hypothesis framing.

Key FindingsKey FindingsKey Findings
  • 87% of users found current services slow or hard to navigate.
  • 72% said they’d ride more if they could track health or eco stats
  • 64% struggled with family/group planning options.
  • Only 22% knew how much CO₂ they were saving by cycling
User PersonasUser PersonasUser Personas
Empathy MapsEmpathy MapsEmpathy Maps
Problem StatementProblem StatementProblem Statement
Goal StatementGoal StatementGoal Statement
Hypothesis StatementHypothesis StatementHypothesis Statement
User Journey MapsUser Journey MapsUser Journey Maps

🚴‍♂️ Arjun Srinivasan – The Commuter

Action Open app Find cycle stand Book cycle Ride to office Return cycle
Task list
  1. Launch Byke app
  2. View current location
  1. Search for nearby stand
  2. Navigate to it
  1. Select cycle type
  2. Tap ‘Unlock’ & scan QR
  1. Start ride
  2. Navigate using map
  3. View ride stats
  1. Locate destination dock
  2. Scan to end ride
Emotions
Hopeful, but rushed
Focused, slightly stressed
Relieved but impatient
Determined, focused
Calm & satisfied
Improvement Opportunities
Auto-launch current location map
Smart prediction of nearest empty stand
One-tap unlock from home screen
Encourage safe routes with traffic overlay
Auto-end ride once dock is detected & locked

🌱 Priya Mehta – The Environmentalist

Action Check impact Book ride Ride to work Review ride impact
Task list
  1. Open Profile
  2. View CO₂ saved and streak
  1. View nearby stand
  2. Select cycle
  3. Tap Unlock
  1. Ride cycle
  2. Track metrics in real-time
  1. End ride
  2. Review CO₂ saved, fuel avoided
Emotions
Proud, reflective
Committed, empowered
Energized
Validated, inspired
Improvement Opportunities
Show lifetime impact upfront
Highlight green badges and streaks
Integrate weather-safe route suggestions
Offer personalized eco-messages

🏋️‍♂️ Rohan Desai – The Fitness Enthusiast

Action Launch fitness mode Book ride Track fitness stats Complete ride Sync to health app
Task list
  1. Tap fitness mode
  2. Choose performance goal
  1. Select nearby cycle
  2. Tap Unlock
  1. View calories, speed, duration
  1. Pause or finish ride
  2. Review performance
  1. Auto-sync to Apple Health
  2. Compare with past rides
Emotions
Motivated, competitive
Focused
Excited and goal-driven
Accomplished
Empowered, proud
Improvement Opportunities
Suggest weekly goals and challenges
Preselect ride types by goal (cardio, endurance)
Show voice feedback mid-ride
Show fitness milestones unlocked
Show weekly health dashboard summary

👩‍👧‍👦 Anita Nair – The Weekend Explorer

Action Explore trails Book family ride Ride with kids Pause for break End trip
Task list
  1. Browse Explore tab
  2. Filter family-friendly routes
  1. Select dock with 3 cycles
  2. Unlock each bike
  1. Begin ride
  2. Monitor safety
  3. Ride slow trails
  1. Tap ‘Pause Ride’
  2. Stop at picnic area
  1. Resume and dock
  2. End all rides together
Emotions
Curious, optimistic
Slightly stressed (multi-user booking)
Joyful, protective
Relaxed and present
Grateful, family-bonded
Improvement Opportunities
Add “Family ride” preset in Explore tab
Enable group booking with 1 tap
Notify if a rider strays too far
Pause mode with scenic spots highlighted
Add family ride summary with group stats & photos
Competitive AnalysisCompetitive AnalysisCompetitive Analysis
Platform Strengths Weakness
QR unlock, wide network
Lacks health & CO₂ stats
Govt integration
Buggy UX, low reliability
Affordable subscriptions
Poor UI, limited feedback
Legacy user base, brand trust
No pedal cycles, no group ride

Byke differentiates through:

  • Persona-driven ride flows.
  • Modular bottom sheet (fitness + eco stats).
  • Accessible UI from Day 1.
  • Leisure-first and group ride UX.
Key featuresKey featuresKey features
  • Mobile / social login
  • Map-first dock discovery
  • Scan-to-ride in <10s
  • Ride bottom sheet (stats, music, weather)
  • Post-ride impact summary (CO₂, fuel, calories, time)
  • Profile: Lifetime stats, ride history, health sync
  • Wallet: Recharge, UPI + Card, history
  • Explore tab for leisure + group ride planning
Information Architecture Information Architecture Information Architecture
Wireframes Wireframes Wireframes
High-Fidelity UI DesignHigh-Fidelity UI DesignHigh-Fidelity UI Design

The final high-fidelity click-through prototype can be accessed from here

Testing & IterationsTesting & IterationsTesting & Iterations

Round 1

  • Users confused at “Return ride” → Added scan guidance
  • Fitness stats underused → Moved to persistent bottom sheet

Round 2

  • Family riders asked for trails → Added leisure trail presets
  • 100% success rate in ride unlock + return
  • 4 of 6 test users said “It felt faster and clearer than Yulu”
OutcomesOutcomesOutcomes
  • Increased ride confidence due to instant visual feedback
  • Differentiation via real-time metrics and goal reinforcement
  • Expanded concept of bike-share from transport to lifestyle
ImpactImpactImpact
  • Helped users track value beyond the ride
  • Introduced a behavioral design lens to a utility-first product
  • Created 4 unique journeys using a shared component system
Key TakeawaysKey TakeawaysKey Takeaways
  • Personalization can be built without clutter
  • Metrics (time saved, CO₂, calories) aren’t decoration, they’re motivation
  • Framed problem, goal, & hypothesis statements per persona

Final Thoughts

Byke is not just a cycle rental tool, it’s a platform to form habits, reduce emissions, and redesign how a city moves.

“Design should not just move users from A to B, it should move them emotionally, behaviorally, and sustainably.”