March Madness Meets Urban Cycling: Cities Compete in Bike-Friendly Showdown

March Madness isn’t just for basketball fans anymore. Thanks to Bike Lane Uprising, a cycling advocacy group dedicated to exposing bike lane obstructions, a new bracket-style competition is pitting cities against each other in the ultimate battle for best—and worst—bike infrastructure.

Dubbed “Bike Lane Madness,” the tournament-style showdown determines “winning” cities based on the total number of bike lane obstructions reported to Bike Lane Uprising’s mobile app or website during each round. The tournament schedule roughly aligns with the NCAA basketball tournament, but instead of buzzer-beaters, cyclists will be submitting photos of delivery trucks, parked cars, and rogue construction cones blocking their paths.

The cities on the bracket include those as far north as Toronto and Montreal in Canada, and as far south as Austin and Houston in Texas.

“As far as what inspired this: we regularly work to find opportunities to raise awareness of the dangers faced by bicyclists,” a spokesperson for Bike Lane Uprising shared. “Whether it be advocating for better biking infrastructure, educating and raising awareness, or building community. Unfortunately, much of our work is associated with tragedy, and that can really wear on us. We actively try to find unique ways to find a little joy in what we do.”

 

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That joy now comes in the form of some friendly (yet serious) competition. While this tournament is largely a work in progress, its mission is clear: highlight the real-world impact of bike lane obstructions while engaging the cycling community in a fun and interactive way.

This isn’t the first time Bike Lane Uprising has found a creative way to spread awareness. The group’s bike light giveaway program, which has already provided over 6,000 sets of bike lights to cyclists, is another initiative that blends advocacy with positivity.

For those looking to take part in Bike Lane Madness, it’s as simple as reporting obstructions in their city and watching the bracket unfold. Whether a city emerges as a champion of safe streets or a glaring example of how not to do bike infrastructure, one thing’s for sure—this is one competition where every blocked lane counts.