Proposal:Bicycle Wash

The Feature Page for the approved proposal Bicycle Wash is located at Tag:amenity=bicycle_wash

Bicycle Wash
Proposal status:	Approved (active)
Proposed by:	Mcliquid
Tagging:	`amenity=bicycle_wash` Data item
Applies to:	,
Definition:	A place where bicycles can be washed.
Statistics:
Rendered as:	File:Bicycle wash.svg
Draft started:	2023-11-20
Proposed on:	2023-11-20
RFC start:	2023-11-20
Vote start:	2023-12-04
Vote end:	2023-12-18

Proposal

This proposal introduces the tag amenity=bicycle_wash. The tag is designed to describe facilities specifically designed for washing bicycles. These facilities can be standalone or part of larger establishments like bicycle rentals, bike parks or trailheads.

The proposed tag would be applicable to the following database elements:

Nodes: For standalone bicycle wash stations or those located within a small area.
Areas: When the bicycle wash facility is part of a larger complex, such as a bike park.

Rationale

In the Alps at least, more and more bike cleaning stations are being installed to meet the demand for dedicated spaces for bike cleaning. The installation can be initiated by outdoor-oriented hotels, bike parks or even local authorities. Bicycles, particularly those used for mountain biking or long-distance touring, often require thorough cleaning. Existing tags, such as amenity=car_wash, do not adequately cover this specific need. The chosen tag amenity=bicycle_wash is straightforward, minimizing confusion while aligning with the existing OSM naming conventions. It emphasizes the facility's primary function, which is distinct from general vehicle wash services. Using British English terms aligns with OSM’s preferred linguistic standards.

Tagging

Definition

The amenity=bicycle_wash tag is used to mark facilities specially designed for washing bicycles. These can range from simple hose-down stations to more elaborate setups with brushes and cleaning tools.

Elements Tagged

Nodes: For individual or small bicycle wash stations.
Areas: For larger facilities or when the wash station is part of a broader complex.

Comparison with Current Tagging Schemes

This tag fills a gap not covered by amenity=car_wash, which is intended for motor vehicles and may not have the appropriate equipment or space for bicycles.
The tag fits seamlessly into the tagging scheme of amenity=bicycle_rentalandamenity=bicycle_parking

Additional Tags Used in Combination

Tag	Description
`name=*`	Larger areas of bike wash stations may be named.
`operator=*`	Bike wash station may be operated by some organisation.
`self_service=yes/no`	Indicates whether an object is self service.
`automated=yes/no`	Indicates whether an object is operated automatically.
Payment tag family	Can be used to specify how one may pay at this location.
`access=*`	Some bike wash facilities are open to the public, others are only available for hotel guests or customers of the workshop.
`capacity=*`	The number of bikes that can be cleaned here.
`fee=*`	In some places, one must pay to wash one's bike.

Alternative Tags

amenity=car_wash should be used for facilities primarily intended for motor vehicles, even if they incidentally accommodate bicycles.
shop=bicycle can be used when the primary function is retail, and the wash facility is ancillary.
service:bicycle:cleaning=yes is used to indicate whether or not bicycles are washed in this bicycle shop shop=bicycle.

Examples

Dedicated outdoor area for hotel guests.
Interior view of an automatic bicycle washing system.
Outdoor bicycle wash in a bike park.
Outdoor bicycle wash near a camp site.
Outdoor bicycle wash from a bicycle shop (staff only).
Exterior view of a public bicycle wash station
Interior view of a public bicycle wash station (inactive in winter)

Proposed Rendering

Maps using this tag

Cyclofix visualises and allows contributors to add a bicycle washing service.

Features/Pages affected

Tag:amenity=bicycle_wash

External discussions

OpenStreetMap Community Forum: https://community.openstreetmap.org/t/rfc-feature-proposal-bicycle-wash/106168

Tagging Mailing List: https://lists.openstreetmap.org/pipermail/tagging/2023-November/067680.html

Comments

Please comment on the discussion page.

Voting

Voting closed

Voting on this proposal has been closed.

It was approved with 35 votes for, 4 votes against and 0 abstentions.

Thank you for participating!

Place your vote below, at the end of the list. -->

I approve this proposal. Something B (talk) 13:28, 4 December 2023 (UTC)
I oppose this proposal. Soltha (talk) It's not common everywhere to have a platform for washing bicycles only. As far as I know, in our region, washing includes vehicles, motorcycles and rarely bicycles. I suggest adding a combo to amenity=car_wash to find out if bikes are included. 14:06, 4 December 2013 (UTC)

if there are no such facilities in some areas you would not use this tag then, but it doesn't seem a good reason to reject the specific tag for such facilities where they exist. --Dieterdreist (talk) 14:21, 4 December 2023 (UTC)

As I already mentioned on the Talk Page, if a amenity=car_wash can also be used for bicycles, you can add bicycle=yes. A amenity=bicycle_wash is only for bicycles. See the pictures in the gallery for reference. It is not technically possible to wash a motor vehicle there in terms of space, as the spaces are usually elevated and there are usually also bicycle racks. --Mcliquid (talk) 20:54, 4 December 2023 (UTC)

I approve this proposal. Dieterdreist (talk) 14:21, 4 December 2023 (UTC)
I oppose this proposal. I think it is more useful to have a tag like “bicycle_station” that can then be specified for providing tools for air inflation, cleaning, repair, battery charging, a stand, covered shelter, integrated lock, or accessories. --MiMoHo (talk) 15:09, 4 December 2023 (UTC)

There are 14000 https://taginfo.openstreetmap.org/tags/amenity=bicycle_repair_station#overview amenity=bicycle_repair_station, but I haven’t seen one yet which had cleaning facilities. Generally I agree that the cleaning facilities could likely also provide some tools for bicycle repairs. —Dieterdreist (talk) 15:41, 4 December 2023 (UTC)

If you look at the pictures in the gallery, you won't find any tools on any of the wash places. This is all about cleaning bicycles and nothing else. That's why I think a separate tag makes sense, what do you think? --Mcliquid (talk) 20:54, 4 December 2023 (UTC)

I wouldn't open a specific category for all types of bike stations. When one is cleaning or charging only, you can the specify "washing=only". Today, they just offer cleaning, tomorrow also recharging, tools, a shelter, parking etc. How do you name this place then? "bike_station"! ;-) So let's think ahead and make it more universally useful. I'm not a big fan of the bike repair category either. It could theoretically be integrated into a "bike_station", but since repair shops are usually rather serviced shops than self-service(-like) stations, making the differentiation is fine. --MiMoHo (talk) 12:41, 5 December 2023 (UTC)

I approve this proposal. --Segubi (talk) 16:33, 4 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --Chris2map (talk) 16:38, 4 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. There may be not many of these stations so far, but surely more to come in future, so this new tag makes sense. --Map HeRo (talk) 17:08, 4 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --Wolfgang8 (talk) 18:45, 4 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --Eerib (talk) 02:32, 5 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. Make bicycles clean again! --scai (talk) 09:09, 5 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --Supaplex030 (talk) 17:24, 5 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. I've also seen a few in cities and the mountains here. While a car wash might work for bikes occasionally, dedicated bike washes typically take care not to damage the bike with too high pressure washes and deserve a separate tag. --Luke (talk) 18:10, 5 December 2023 (UTC)
I oppose this proposal. I believe that the bicycle infrastructure should undergo a major overhaul of the tagging scheme because there is more and more chaos as time goes by. I believe that a major overhaul of the tagging scheme for such facilities should be worked on. Also, I don't think such a tag is appropriate for this type of application. It seems to me that it should be generalized under some other tag *:bicycle_wash=yes. Fiszi37 (talk) 13:12, 6 December 2023 (UTC)

I'm not a fan of broad, general tags. They are much more error-prone and more difficult to render. As this is already the third request for this, I would suggest you create a separate proposal for this, as it goes beyond this one. I also wonder why these suggestions did not come during the official review period. --Mcliquid (talk) 13:35, 6 December 2023 (UTC)

I approve this proposal. Don't have washing places for bikes in my area, but I understand the need --Geologist (talk) 19:06, 6 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --Claudius (talk) 19:39, 6 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. I took me a second to think of a dedicated bicycle wash station but I remember one. I don't exactly live in a mountain bike heavy area but I can see them be quite common in alpine regions with cycle tourism being more important. --Hedaja (talk) 20:14, 6 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. I've seen these a lot when visiting Austria and think it would help to have a tag for them specifically. Existing tags like bicycle_repair_station don't fit well, as mentioned these often have neither tools nor a pump, they're really just for cleaning. I understand not everyone might come across them, but in touristic mountainous regions this tag would be needed quite a bit. --Paulbrunner (talk) 20:25, 6 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --Qugebert (talk) 20:35, 6 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --501ghost (talk) 00:43, 7 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. For @MiMoHo: @Fiszi37: and others with concerns, hopefully this message explains and persuades you to vote "yes" too --mnalis (talk) 03:16, 7 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --Adiatmad (talk) 03:58, 7 December 2023 (UTC)
I oppose this proposal. Can only wash bicycles? Are there missing descriptions of facilities for washing other types of vehicles, such as automobiles? --快乐的老鼠宝宝 (talk) 08:38, 7 December 2023 (UTC)

What I mean is whether there should be a more unified set of labels to describe washing bicycles or cars, such as amenity=something_washing+something_type=bicycle/car --快乐的老鼠宝宝 (talk) 08:39, 7 December 2023 (UTC)

See https://community.openstreetmap.org/t/rfc-feature-proposal-bicycle-wash/106168/10 --Mcliquid (talk) 16:48, 7 December 2023 (UTC)

I approve this proposal. --Flo Edelmann (talk) 14:19, 10 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --Mtmail (talk) 17:51, 10 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --Ralley (talk) 18:21, 10 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. This kind of feels like it could be de facto. Definitely in for it.- --Emilius123 (talk) 18:23, 10 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. In my city there is no bicycle wash, only some car wash have some part to make it usable for bikes, so we could just use a bicycle=yes. Although as there are places where this exists, I think we should approve the new tag (otherwise it would be a bit erroneous and difficult to understand by the apps, like using car_wash car=no, bicycle=yes) antoniovr --Antoniovr (talk) 18:41, 10 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. It makes sense to distinguish between these two amenities. --Mottiger (talk) 06:19, 11 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. A lot of cities, municipalities and regions of Europe have incentives to prioritize cycling (as well as walking and public transport) higher than the private car usage now. OSM should reflect this move to make tagging for these transport modes comparable to what car infrastructure has. --TsBuskerudbyen (talk) 07:54, 11 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. -- CaldeiraG (talk) 09:28, 11 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --Britzz
I approve this proposal. --EneaSuper (talk) 14:59, 11 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --HellMap (talk) 21:36, 11 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. —Gymate (talk) 18:49, 12 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --TheBlackMan (talk) 05:49, 14 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. They exist in my place too. One tagged repair_station with all essentials=no except cleaning, by yours truly. Direct tagging much cleaner. --Hungerburg (talk) 16:46, 16 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. This will simplify mapping of stand-alone bike washing service.--GOwin (talk) 23:27, 17 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --EneaSuper (talk) 10:15, 18 December 2023 (UTC)
I approve this proposal. --Reino Baptista (talk) 13:33, 18 December 2023 (UTC)

Proposal:Bicycle Wash

Contents

Proposal

Rationale