Bike Bureau Launches App for Reporting Bike Lane Obstructions

New Reporting Tool for Bike Lane Obstructions

Bike Bureau has launched a new application designed to simplify the reporting of bike lane obstructions. Users can open the app, point their camera at an obstructing vehicle, and the app will capture a photo, read the license plate, add location data, and prepare a report within approximately three seconds. Alternatively, users can upload a photo from their computer, with time and location data automatically extracted from the image file.

Data Anonymization and Public Access

Privacy features are integrated into the capture process. Image processing occurs on the user's device, where visible faces and non-offending license plates are blurred before photos are uploaded. All submitted reports contribute to a public map and gallery, with the anonymized data freely available to communities, advocates, and researchers globally.

Impact on Advocacy and Enforcement

The platform aims to address the issue of inadequate bike infrastructure and enforcement by providing a structured way to document incidents. While individual reports highlight specific problems, a collection of reports can build a stronger case for increased enforcement and the development of safer, protected bike lanes. Bike Bureau accepts reports from any location worldwide.

Direct Reporting to City Officials

For signed-in users, the Bike Bureau app offers an additional feature: automatic filing of reports directly to city officials in a list of specified cities. These cities include Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Medford, Malden, Worcester in MA; Alameda, Daly City, Folsom, Lake Elsinore, Oakland in CA; Canton, Lima in OH; Danville in VA; Daytona Beach in FL; Elkhart in IN; Killeen in TX; Kingsport in TN; Las Vegas in NV; Midland in TX; Minneapolis in MN; Muskegon in MI; New Haven in CT; Provo in UT; Renton in WA; Valdosta in GA; and Westminster in CO.