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Product Strategy Discussion

By Stuart Constantine - March 23, 2007

in Object Culture

I came across a great review of a presentation from the Shimano marketing team at the National Bike Summit, where they detailed the background of their Coasting program. Shimano worked with IDEO to develop a strategy to get more of the 161 million Americans who don't ride back onto bikes. This research led to a revisiting of cruiser bikes, and subsequently to a series of new bikes from Trek (the Lime is shown above), Raleigh and Giant.

In any case the original post I found goes over some of the findings that IDEO uncovered, and the resulting product strategy. But the comments, from bike mechanics, enthusiasts, lawyers and others, are the best part. The only thing missing from the conversation are the designers and product strategists.Personally I'm not convinced that the strategy will get more people onto bikes. The cultural issues raised in the comments are significant. But it's a great product design conversation, from a group of 'non-designers'.

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Stucon

17 years ago

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in the original post peejay discusses the way bicycle riding is approached in Japan, with people holding umbrellas in one hand when it rains. When I used the term 'cultural issues' I was referring to the American love afair with the car, and of the convenience associated with that car. Getting 160 million overweight Americans who have never been on a bike to invest $500 to try it out is an uphill battle in my opinion. Getting Americans to consider any alternate mode of transportation beyond automobiles is a tough challenge. I really think there will need to be other pressures applied - such as a significant increase in the price of gas - to get people here to abandon their cars.
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velodesigner

17 years ago

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lime has a coaster brake. will it get more people on bikes??? all signs point towards yes. those bikes are freakin fun to ride and they are happy! go ride one, you will see and agree, they are the most f'n bikes you will ride around town at simple speeds. the coolest thing about the coasting bikes is they recognize that bikes need to look like bikes...no designerly over doing it...that is nice.
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chandrasekhar K

17 years ago

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I got my answers on Lime's brakes and lots more...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_brake_systems
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chandrasekhar k

17 years ago

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In India we are still use "Hand Brakes". I haven't seen any of those on Lime. How do you bring this thing to halt; especially when your are speeding a bit?
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James

17 years ago

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I agree that the discussion generated by the Bike Portland post is very interesting. I am just curious why you think the Coasting strategy will not be successful. Specifically which ï¿½cultural issuesï¿½ mentioned in the comments to that post are you referring to that will prevent the general public from embracing the whole Coasting idea?
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