I'm still subscribed to the theory that traditional area transitions will be in
>samus is shown entering the jungle through a portal/wormhole
>the recent trailer also showed samus in the storm towers area in her varia suit, meaning she doesn't have the viola suit to use the bike yet
I think the game is gonna have area transitions through portals instead of elevators. And the desert will still be a connecting area with its own seperate entrances.

With the traditional structure of metroid in place, I'm more willing to try out the bike stuff in the desert, though it still looks bland for now.