BlueBikes API Feeds Guide#
What Was Established#
- Comprehensive breakdown of BlueBikes GBFS (General Bikeshare Feed Specification) endpoints.
- JSON structure analysis for static (
station_information) and real-time (station_status) feeds. - JavaScript patterns for fetching, joining, and displaying station data.
Key Decisions#
- Base URL:
https://gbfs.lyft.com/gbfs/1.1/bos/en/ - Primary Feeds:
station_information(static map/location data) andstation_status(live availability) are the core feeds for real-time tracking. - Join Strategy: Match
station_idfields between static and status feeds to combine location metadata with live bike/dock counts.
Current Configuration#
Core GBFS Endpoints#
| Feed | Purpose |
|---|---|
station_information |
Static station list, names, IDs, coordinates, capacity, kiosk info |
station_status |
Real-time bike/dock counts, station active/inactive status, last reported timestamp |
system_information |
System metadata (operator, name, URLs) |
system_regions |
Regional breakdowns for color-coding/mapping |
system_hours |
Operating hours |
system_calendar |
Start/end years, holidays |
gbfs_versions |
Available GBFS versions |
free_bike_status |
Free-floating bike locations |
ebikes_at_stations |
Real-time e-bike counts per station |
system_pricing_plans |
Membership & pricing details |
system_alerts |
Current advisories |
Data Structure Examples#
station_information