You're the PM for a maps app. How would you improve it for cyclists?
Model answer
Model answerCyclists have entirely different needs from drivers: elevation matters, traffic danger is different, road surface quality counts. I'd start with user research across commuter cyclists, recreational riders, and delivery cyclists — very different jobs. Quick win: elevation profile on route preview. Bigger bet: crowdsourced road quality ratings. I'd measure route completion rate vs alternative apps and weekly active cyclists.
Framework · CIRCLES Method
- CComprehend the Situation
Cyclists care about elevation, safety, and road surface — not just distance - IIdentify the Customer
Commuters, recreational riders, delivery cyclists — each has a different job - RReport Customer Needs
Safe routes, elevation preview, surface quality, bike-lane awareness - CCut through Prioritization
Start with route quality — it affects all cyclist types - LList Solutions
Elevation profile, crowdsourced surface ratings, bike lane overlay, ETA for cycling pace - EEvaluate Trade-offs
Crowdsourced data has quality risk — seed with city open data first - SSummarize Recommendation
Elevation-aware routing with bike-lane overlay as MVP, surface ratings in v2
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