So here are my solutions on how technology can be leveraged to change the current customer's mindset about cycling.I present a few solutions that will not only prove convenient for customers but will also help to boost bicycle sales.
1.Publicity
Publicity should be one of the prime To-Dos on your list if your aiming to revive the bicycle culture.
Publicity could be done in various ways.Some of them are:
- Digital billboards displaying the advantages of cycling.
- Distribution of brochures on how beneficial cycling is.
- Organise or sponsor Cyclothons in the prime cities of India ( any country).
- Also,during such cyclothons (cycling marathons) you could provide bicycles for rent.This would serve the same purpose a test drive does for a car,encouraging customers to buy bicycles.
- For Facebook users,invite users to like pages which would regularly display benefits of cycling.Organise contests,invite people and share cycling facts.
- For Twitter,ask users to follow pages which promote cycling.Organise contests,invite people and tweet about cycling.
- Target specific sectors of society,people going to gyms,health conscious people,travellers etc.and explain how more beneficial and easier is cycling than walking or running.
- Initiate schemes to distribute cycles at discounted prices in villages,towns where the transport system isn't good.
Awareness takes a close second place after publicity.
- The idea is to make people aware the health hazards that could be prevented if they cycle.
- Businessmen,workers,housewives,students can all be informed how beneficial it would be if they cycle to get to their workplace.
- Students could be encouraged to use bicycles instead of travelling by buses or private cars.
- Housewives could use cycling as an alternative to gym exercises.
Business plans and strategies play a pivotal role in contributing to the sales of bicycles.
- Increase the number of bicycle manufacturing units.
- Introduce new designs regularly.
- Make bicycles for every age group with special features for that particular group.
- Provide bicycles at affordable prices with interesting offers or discounts.
- Also provide bicycle gear for free or a discounted price on the purchase of a bicycle.
4. Fuse Cycling with Technology
So we finally come to this segment where we couple the benefits of technology with cycling to provide customer's a better cycling experience.
- Add GPS systems to bicycles for the tech savvy.
- Provide wireless charging
- If something like the smart watch with Social Media notifications,can be integrated onto the bicycle structure,customers will have a better experience.
- Radio chip or MP3 device for songs.
- Customizable skins for users to give their bicycles a different look each day.
- Built-in alarms or messaging system that would inform user about his day's schedule.
-Aditya Shanbhag
