Manufacturer, Retailer, Survey and Consumer Feedback - A product to aid and assist the modern cyclist

Hi,

I'm a student studying Product Design at the University of Sussex and living in Brighton, England. I am trying to design a product that will aid and assist the modern cyclist.

I have compiled the following questionnaire to further my research and would be grateful if you could answer some, or all of the questions.

I am also intrested in any other problems or issues you have with the daily cycling experience.


Questionaire

1. How often do you cycle?


2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for?


3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport?


4. What do you like about cycling?


5. What do you dislike about cycling?


6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street?


6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?


7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you?


7b. If you have, how did it happen?



8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle?



8b. Do you have trouble transporting them?


9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops?

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping?


11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced?


Thank you for your help,

Jacques Keogh

Hi,

I'm a student studying Product Design at the University of Sussex and living in Brighton, England. I am trying to design a product that will aid and assist the modern cyclist.

I have compiled the following questionnaire to further my research and would be grateful if you could answer some, or all of the questions.

I am also intrested in any other problems or issues you have with the daily cycling experience.


Questionaire

1. How often do you cycle?


2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for?


3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport?


4. What do you like about cycling?


5. What do you dislike about cycling?


6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street?


6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?


7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you?


7b. If you have, how did it happen?



8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle?



8b. Do you have trouble transporting them?


9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops?

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping?


11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced?


Thank you for your help,

Jacques Keogh

Questionaire

1. How often do you cycle? Every day (all seasons, all weather)

2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for? Fitness, sport, enjoyment, time with family, day tours

3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport? I'm nuts (or so say my family and friends). Seriously just have been riding for years, now just habit and enjoyment.


4. What do you like about cycling? Maintaining fitness, stress relief and quiet time, really seeing things that you would otherwise miss in a car. Mostly ride solo.


5. What do you dislike about cycling? Inattentive drivers, ignorant drivers, bad roads, cell phones and cars, getting flats in the rain or extreme cold.

6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street? No, never. Have never owned a lock. (I always bring bike right into store, etc. with me...always ask first if okay, if not, I don't patronize that business, but seriously it has never been a problem).


6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?


7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you? Yes.


7b. If you have, how did it happen? Stolen from home/garage during break-in. I have also lent out bicycles to extended family who through their own lack of care, ended up having the bicycle stolen from them.


8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle? Essentials: tire/tube repair kit, cash, credit card, cell phone, nutritional items (food/water/energy drink). Then ride specific stuff: such as lights if riding in dark, or racks/paniers if carrying items.


8b. Do you have trouble transporting them? No


9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops? Yes, all the time.

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping? Pack pack, rack, jersey, and jersey pockets: depends on the item(s), you get real creative if you have been doing it long enough.

11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced? Maintain my own (as well as family and neighbors bikes too). Indeed, I completely strip and rebuild a new bike before I ride it. I think I have more invested in tools over the years than bikes.


Good luck, HTH
zac

1. How often do you cycle?
Every day.


2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for?
I use my bicycle as my only form of transportation so it gets used for everything beyond a short walk from my house.

3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport?
I love the fact that I work exercise in to my day. I feel great, look great, and feel as though I'm part of a community. I love the connection you get to your surroundings by removing the glass and metal your surrounded by in cars.


4. What do you like about cycling?
(read answer #3)

5. What do you dislike about cycling?
It's much more difficult to carry large or long loads. I also don't like riding in the rain so I end up staying home on rainy days which can be inconvenient.

6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street?
When I'm out and about yes. At home I have a ceiling hook in my living room where I store my bike.

6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?
A Kryptonite U lock

7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you?
Yes, years ago.

7b. If you have, how did it happen?
It was in a visible place and unlocked for weeks. It was also in terrible condition.


8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle?
My lock, front and rear lights, panniers to carry my purse and anything else I pick up on my trip.


8b. Do you have trouble transporting them?
No, the weight can be a bit much when I'm fully loaded though.

9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops?
I use my bike to go everywhere.

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping?
I have panniers and a messenger bag I carry everything in.

11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced?
I or my boyfriend do all the servicing at a local DIY bike shop.

1. How often do you cycle?

Multiple times every day in spring, summer and fall, most days in winter or when I'm sick or something


2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for?

Recreation


3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport?

-Don't want a car and can't afford it anyhow, faster and more fun than walking, one hell of a lot more fun than public transit


4. What do you like about cycling?

Being outdoors, moving fast, the exercise, keeps me in shape


5. What do you dislike about cycling?

badly paved roads, idiot road users (on four wheels, two wheels, or two feet), riding in the rain


6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street?

Yup


6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?

An old Kryptonite U-lock and a cheapo cable lock...should probably upgrade both


7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you?

No (knock on wood)


8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle?

If commuting to work, locks, food, additional scarfs/gloves when it's cold, mini-pump, spare tube and tire lever, allen wrenches, a binder/folder with any work documents I need

If commuting to friends' houses or to go out, a lot of the same stuff but also maybe a six-pack of beer or something

If out on a recreational ride, spare tube and patch kit, tire lever, allen wrenches, several other wrenches ranging from 8mm to 15mm, pump, water, food, sunglasses, phone, wallet...I have a nice big Carradice saddlebag


8b. Do you have trouble transporting them?

Nope!


9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops?

Yes

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping?

Grocery store is close, so panniers and a backpack with the lighter things in it


11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced?

I do what I can, but some jobs I take it to the shop for.



Also, my ideal bike product would be a stronger but lighter U-lock...

1. How often do you cycle?
Daily

2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for?
Errands, recreation, fitness

3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport?
Cheaper, more versatile, more fun

4. What do you like about cycling?
Everything

5. What do you dislike about cycling?
I don't get to do enough of it

6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street?
Rarely

6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?
OnGuard Mini-U and cable

7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you?
yes

7b. If you have, how did it happen?
Thief broke into my basement when I wasn't home. It was part of a fencing ring in the greater metro area I lived in at the time. Very targetted items. They didn't touch my cheap-arsed power tools, or my wife's very expensive art supplies. They didn't even go through the upstairs of the house. Just took the bike. (A CF tri-bike with CF racing wheels. The didn't touch the older steel MTB right next to it.


8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle?
Saddle wedge bag and 12L Berthoud frontbag. I typically can fit everything I need in those 2.
If I need to carry big stuff, I use my basket bike with a Wald 157GB up front and twin 4gal buckets in back.
I have a trailer for really big stuff.

8b. Do you have trouble transporting them?
No.

9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops?
yes

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping?
Basket, bucket panniers, or trailer


11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced?
I do 99% of my own work. I don't own a headset press, so I bring that to a shop if I need it replaced.
I do everything else, right down to building my wheels.

1. How often do you cycle?
Every weekday, and most weekends except winter

2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for?
Recreational riding, and the occasional organized fundraising ride

3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport?
Faster than the bus, cheaper than the car, and I have abundant fuel around my midsection.

4. What do you like about cycling?
Keeps me fit, it's relaxing, and I like to cultivate an image as an eccentric

5. What do you dislike about cycling?
Idiot drivers and rain

6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street?
Winter commuter is locked outside at work every day. The nicer summer bike comes inside at work, but I lock up on the street when shopping etc.

6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?
Keyed U-lock plus a cable to secure the front wheel

7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you?
Yes

7b. If you have, how did it happen?
Unlocked, stolen from a friend's backyard while we were inside eating dinner


8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle?
Toolkit, lights. When commuting, also work clothes, lunch.


8b. Do you have trouble transporting them?
No.

9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops?
Usually once a week except for winter.

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping?
Rack and panniers, and I recently bought a trailer.

11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced?
Maintain my own.

Questionaire

1. How often do you cycle?
Nearly everyday, year 'round.


2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for?
Racing, training, shopping, family time.


3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport?
I love riding my bike.


4. What do you like about cycling?
Being outdoors, going fast, the sense of getting places under your own power.


5. What do you dislike about cycling?
That I don't have enough time to ride as much as I'd like.


6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street?
Rarely.

6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?
Kryptonite u-lock.


7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you?
Yes.


7b. If you have, how did it happen?
I drunkenly left it unlocked outside a bar while I was inside getting drunker still.



8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle?
Minipump, minitool, tube, patch kit, tire lever, epi-pen. Also, lights, blinkie, and computer/hrm.


8b. Do you have trouble transporting them?
No. They fit in a small pouch.


9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops?
Yes.

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping?
In a backpack.


11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced?
I do my own wrenching. It is a pleasurable hobby in its own right.

Good grief, the design professors really have been sending the students here lately, haven't they?




1. How often do you cycle? Every day, all seasons.


2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for? Nothing


3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport? Environmentalism, fitness, fun (in that order)


4. What do you like about cycling? Uh, see above? Plus, it makes more sense than hauling 3000 pounds of steel around just to transport myself.


5. What do you dislike about cycling? It's not accepted in American culture as a serious means of transport. As a result, the numerous problems cyclists encounter are generally not taken seriously, and in any encounter, the cyclist is likely to be assumed to be at fault unless proven innocent (and maybe not even then).


6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street? No, crime is pretty low here, I own a lock but I don't bother carrying it anymore.


6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?


7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you? No


7b. If you have, how did it happen?



8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle? On the bike are headlight, taillight, speedometer/odometer, repair kit including a bicycle multitool, tire levers, spare tube, patches, boot material, tire pump. On my person, an MP3 player loaded with audiobooks and a single earbud in my right ear. In my bag, spare headlight/taillight batteries, lunch, security tag for work, a thumb drive or two, a camera, a cell phone, a leatherman multitool.



8b. Do you have trouble transporting them? No. The tool kit is fist sized and permanently on the bike, the pump clips to the frame and just stays there. The rest is on a single bag that just clips on the rear rack in 5 seconds, and pretty much just stays in the bag.


9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops? Yes.

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping? In a pannier bag, I have two and it's usually enough.


11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced? I do my own wrenching.

Jacques Keogh

1. How often do you cycle?A few times a week, when it's above -20C.

2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for?
Errands, recreation, fitness (I don't actually commute to work, but try to for other things)

3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport?
Cheaper, more fun, fitness

4. What do you like about cycling?
Fresh air, slower pace, and the fact than one does not have to spend big$$ to enjoy it.

5. What do you dislike about cycling?
cold, wet, bad auto drivers

6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street?
once in a while - not for long periods of time

6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?
cable

7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you?
yes

7b. If you have, how did it happen?
Theif walked into back door of restaurante and stole it from the hallway.

8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle?
patchkit, tube, some tools, water, snack, (and sometimes trumpets, horns, guitars etc.)

8b. Do you have trouble transporting them?
Just the instruments - I use a kids trailer for them.

9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops?
yes

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping?
trailer


11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced?
My own work.

1. How often do you cycle?
3-6 times/week

2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for?
Errands, recreation, fitness

3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport?
ecological and economical superiority, to improve fitness.

4. What do you like about cycling?
How I feel when I ride and how I feel after I've ridden.

5. What do you dislike about cycling?
I don't get to do enough of it.

6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street?
occasionally

6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?
cheapo pos cable lock

7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you?
no

7b. If you have, how did it happen?


8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle?
Saddle wedge bag with toolkit & patchkit;frame mount mini pump, water bottle, lights, cyclocomputer

8b. Do you have trouble transporting them?
No.

9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops?
yes

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping?
Backpack, rear rack.


11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced?
I do some of my own work. I take care of basic maintenance but haven't amassed enough tools yet totrue hubs, take apart BB, etc.

1. How often do you cycle? Daily (all seasons)


2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for? General transportation and recreation


3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport? Burn carbs not oil


4. What do you like about cycling? Freedom


5. What do you dislike about cycling? People with negative attitudes toward cyclists


6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street? Yes


6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use? Kryptoniote U lock w/ cable


7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you? not since I was 10


7b. If you have, how did it happen? I left it unlocked...I didn't even have a lock



8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle? Tool kit, tube, patch kit, pump, water and sometimes extra clothing during bad weather



8b. Do you have trouble transporting them? No


9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops? Yes, I very rarely drive

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping? Front and rear racks w/panniers and trunk bags


11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced? I do it myself

1. How often do you cycle?
every day

2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for?
Midnight Ridazz social rides and for sport.

3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport?
It's fun and refreshing. It's good for my fitness and I don't have to buy gasoline

4. What do you like about cycling?
It allows me to stay active even if I cannot find time to cycle more athletically. The fresh air uninterrupted views of the landscape.

5. What do you dislike about cycling?
It's only a bummer when I'm tired and feeling lazy, but that goes away once I start to ride. Sometimes it is difficult to take things I need around with me, but that's only because I have sport oriented bikes. Also, not many places provide bike parking.

Bad auto drivers are usually what will ruin a good time.

6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street?
Yes, but never for too long.

6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?
Kryptonite Evolution 4 and Evolution mini

7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you?
No


7b. If you have, how did it happen?



8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle?
water bottles, food, sweat shirt, air pump, tire levers, spare tube, patch kit, bike tools, lock, wallet, phone, keys, note book, pens, pocket knife, lights, music player, hat


8b. Do you have trouble transporting them?
Nope

9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops?
Almost always

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping?
I have a rack and panneirs I can attack to my bike, I also have large messenger bag that can carry most everyday stuff. For large loads I can tow a trailer.

11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced?
I do everything for the most part. If I can't do something at home then I go the local bike co-op/bike kitchen for the tools and assistance.

Questionaire

1. How often do you cycle? Every weekday at the least


2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for? Touring, errands, grocery shopping


3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport? I prefer riding to walking or riding in a car, and I don't drive


4. What do you like about cycling? I get a feeling of satisfaction from riding, and the health benefits are a bonus.


5. What do you dislike about cycling? I wish I had the time to ride more and get in better shape than I am in, that would make cycling more pleasurable.


6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street? Almost never.


6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use? A kryptonite cable lock , U-lock, and extender cable when locking the bikes up int he garage. I carry a cable lock in the event I need to lock my bike somewhere, but I almost never need to.


7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you? No.


7b. If you have, how did it happen?



8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle? Change of clothes, tools to change a flat, glasses, balaclava and various layers of clothing, GPS, a book or an iPod, spare batteries. I have a headlight and blinky on my helmet.



8b. Do you have trouble transporting them? No


9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops? Yes

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping? Trailer, sometimes a backpack or panniers


11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced? I do basic maintenance, and bring it in for anything I can't handle.

Questionaire

1. How often do you cycle? Daily, weather permitting. I try to drive once a week to make sure my truck still works, though.


2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for? Recreation: Trail riding, alas there are no mountains around my city.


3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport? Relaxation. Energy Expenditure. Compliments my obsession with food. Its my version of active meditation.


4. What do you like about cycling? See the above answer.


5. What do you dislike about cycling? The sweat. I sweat profusely.


6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street? If this means outside a store, then yes. Otherwise, no.


6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use? OnGuard Pitbull DX


7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you? Yes, when I was a kid.


7b. If you have, how did it happen? Left the bike outside for a long time (weeks) and the neighborhood was plagued by a bike thief.



8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle? Bag (backpack or panniers). Saddlebag with patches, tube, multitool. Lights. Airpump. Water bottle.



8b. Do you have trouble transporting them? No, everything has a place, or it goes in the bag.


9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops? Yes.

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping? Panniers, but I just bought a skateboard backpack and use the straps to secure it to the top of my rack. It works amazingly.

No 10.

11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced? Small stuff I do. Bigger stuff, LBS.

Questionaire

1. How often do you cycle? daily, except when roads are snow-covered


2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for? meeting friends, shopping


3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport? no drivers license, exercise, conservation


4. What do you like about cycling? exercise, tinkering with old bikes


5. What do you dislike about cycling? contending with cars, bad roads/trails, bad weather, flats


6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street? yes


6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use? Kryptonite padlock/cable (6ft.)


7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you? yes


7b. If you have, how did it happen? 3 times, 2 bikes, when I was kid, many years ago; once forgot to bring it home from the field I was playing in (stolen but found again), once it was stolen from my house (stolen/found again, I think), once left unlocked at a store, stolen & not recovered



8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle? laptop plus accessories, lunch, street shoes, lock & cable, spare inner tube, patch kit, detachable headlight & taillight, tire pump, tire irons, spoke wrench, rain cover for saddle



8b. Do you have trouble transporting them? not really


9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops? yes

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping? depending on the size of the load, any combination of panniers, handlebar bag, fanny pack(!) - "bum bag" in the UK!, over my shoulders


11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced? maintain myself (except final wheel trueing)


Thank you for your help,

Jacques Keogh

You're welcome

Questionaire

1. How often do you cycle? 5 days a week.


2. Other than commuting what do you use your bicycle for? Fitness.


3. Why do you choose to use your bicycle over other forms of transport? Save on fuel costs, fitness.


4. What do you like about cycling? Health benefits, it's fun!


5. What do you dislike about cycling? Headwinds, weather.


6. Do you leave your bike locked up on the street? No.


6b. If yes, what kind of lock do you use?


7. Have you ever had a bicycle stolen from you? Yes


7b. If you have, how did it happen? From my premises, off of a back porch.



8. What objects do you typically carry with you on your bicycle? Backpack, emergency kit.



8b. Do you have trouble transporting them? No.


9. Do you ever use your bike to go to the shops? No.

9b. If so how do you transport the shopping?


11. Do you maintain your own bike, or do you send it to be serviced? Mostly self maintained, a shop when I don't have the tool and the tool costs too much for the job.


Thank you for your help,

Jacques Keogh

Thanks everyone for your feedback it will be very useful for my project your all amazing happy cycling!