You can finally submit bike facility maintenance requests through SDOT’s Find It, Fix It app – Seattle Bike Blog

SDOT’s Find It, Fix It app is surprisingly powerful. You can report a pothole, broken walk signal or broken bike detector and SDOT crews will investigate the issue as part of their regular maintenance. Sometimes you get results within a few days. Sometimes, especially if the problem is extensive, it can’t be fixed, but it’s always worth a try. However, until recently there was no obvious way to report problems with bike paths, bike racks or other bike-specific infrastructure. You could still report it under a different category (maybe that crack in the pavement counts as a pothole?), but sometimes it just wasn’t clear whether your problem was reportable.

After some persistent eavesdropping from the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board, among others, SDOT recently updated the app to make it easier to accept work orders for bicycle facility needs. The change comes just a month before the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Levy takes effect, which will increase the department’s bicycle facility maintenance budget.

Find It, Fix It is the branding for the department’s work order tracking system. Longtime residents may remember the former 684-ROAD, which still works even if you prefer to file the report via a phone call. It’s the same idea. The city has a maintenance budget, but can’t possibly know about every site that needs work. So you can help by reporting the problem, and as a reward the city will fix the problem if it’s done as part of regular maintenance (for example, a pothole or crack is filled, but probably not an entire stretch of road is repaired).

– Advertising –

So do your fellow cyclists a favor and report slippery, wet leaves, standing water (use the clogged drain category), or overgrown blackberries. You can also notify the city of damaged bike racks (particularly important if this poses a risk of theft) or if there is a traffic light that stubbornly doesn’t recognize your bike, use the Traffic Light Maintenance category to report this. I’m sure you’re not the only one dealing with these issues, but most people don’t know how to report it. You can be their invisible hero.

After you submit a report, you will be notified of the status of your reports in the app. Someone from out of town may even call you to ask additional questions if necessary. So be prepared to receive a call from a dreaded unknown 206 number.

If you have Find It, Fix It success stories, share them in the comments below.

More details on the latest updates from the SDOT blog:

What you can do with the Bicycle Facility Maintenance category

Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a casual rider, here’s how you can benefit from the new Bike Maintenance category:

1. Report broken or damaged bicycle equipment

If you notice missing posts, potholes, or debris in bike paths, you can now report these issues more easily. Select the “Bike Maintenance” category, enter a brief description, and upload a photo to help the city’s maintenance teams respond more efficiently.

2. Highlight missing or damaged signs or markings

Safe cycle paths include clear signage. If a sign or lane marking is missing, illegible or damaged, report it via the app to keep cycle facilities clearly marked.

3. Report obstacles

Sometimes bike paths can be blocked by construction equipment, a fallen tree or other obstacles. The new Path Partially Obstructed by Objects/Material category allows you to quickly mark obstacles so the city can respond and clear the path for cyclists.

If you notice a vehicle blocking a bike path, please contact Seattle’s Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) department directly at (206) 625-5011.

4. Request sweeping

Debris such as leaves, glass or branches on bike paths pose a challenge to safe and reliable travel. Request sweeping services for specific bike paths or paths to ensure they remain safe and clean.

5. Send further feedback

SDOT has provided an option for “Other Maintenance Issues” to capture anything we may have missed.

If your bicycle is stolen, please report the theft to the Seattle Police Department. For more information about keeping your bike safe, see: Keep your bike safe.

For needles on a bike path, please select the “Illegal Dumping/Needles” service category.

For standing water on a bike path, please select the “Blocked Storm Drain” service category.

How to use the Bike Maintenance category.

Android users can download the app from the Google Play Store and iPhone users can download the app from the App Store.

1. Open the Find It, Fix It app – If you haven’t downloaded it yet, it’s available for both iOS and Android.
2. Select the “Bicycle system maintenance” category – Select this category from the main menu when reporting a bike problem.
3. Provide details – Describe the problem, include photos if possible, and provide location.
4. Submit – Once you submit your request, the City team will review your request and work on a resolution.