Many bicycles are still missing their owners.
CrowdEyes points to the need for better digital registration and more responsible handling of abandoned bicycles and other found objects.
Copenhagen, May 10, 2026 — Copenhagen is one of the world’s most prominent cycling cities. Around 1.4 million kilometers are cycled on an average weekday, and the city is home to more than 745,000 bicycles — more bicycles than inhabitants. This is a strength for the city, but it also creates a familiar challenge: many bicycles are forgotten, abandoned, moved or have no clear owner.
The Municipality of Copenhagen regularly cleans up abandoned bicycles on public roads, squares and at stations. When a bicycle is considered abandoned, it is marked with tape. If the tape is not broken within 30 days, the bicycle can be removed and handed over to the Police. Bicycles with a value of more than 500 DKK can be sold at auction, while the rest are sent for scrap.
However, the challenge is not just a matter of cleanup. It is also about space, resources, recycling, documentation and the possibility of getting more objects back to their rightful owners.
A recent municipal decision-making document mentions a potential of 30,000–40,000 bicycles annually from Copenhagen yards alone. It also states that 95 percent of the bicycles collected today are sorted for recycling, while only five percent are sold for reuse.
This points to a greater need for better processes and more structured handling of abandoned and found objects.
CrowdEyes will make handling more simple and transparent
CrowdEyes is a digital Lost & Found platform that helps organizations, businesses, properties, transportation providers, cultural institutions and public environments register and handle found items in a more efficient and traceable way.
The platform can be used for many types of lost property — including bicycles, bags, keys, electronics, clothing and other belongings that are forgotten or left behind in urban spaces, buildings and public environments on a daily basis.
With CrowdEyes, found objects can be digitally registered with images, location, time and relevant information. This creates an overview of what was found, where it was found and how the case is being handled further.
“A forgotten or abandoned bicycle is not necessarily worthless. It can have great significance for the owner, and it also represents resources that should not be lost unnecessarily. With better digital registration and clear processes, we can increase the chance that more items will find their way back to their rightful owners,” says Jann Kallehauge, CrowdEyes.
From manual handling to digital documentation
Today, lost and found items are often handled differently from place to place. This can make it difficult for citizens, employees and organizations to get an overview.
CrowdEyes brings the process together in one digital solution, where items can be registered, searched, managed and closed more systematically. This reduces the need for manual handling and makes it easier to document the process from discovery to delivery or other closure.
“CrowdEyes cannot determine whether a bike is stolen, forgotten or abandoned. But we can help create a more professional and responsible framework for handling found items. It’s about better service, less waste and greater transparency,” says Jann Kallehauge.
A contribution to better service and more sustainable behavior
When objects are registered and handled in a more structured way, the possibility of them being reunited with their owners or given a new life in another way increases. This is not only a practical benefit for the individual citizen or organization. It also contributes to a more responsible use of resources.
In a city with hundreds of thousands of bicycles and many daily commuters, lost and abandoned items will always be a part of everyday life. But with digital tools, better processes and clear documentation, more items can have a real chance of finding a home.
About CrowdEyes
CrowdEyes is a digital Lost & Found platform that helps organizations register, manage and handle found items. The solution is designed for businesses, public bodies, properties, transportation environments, cultural institutions, hotels, schools, venues and other organizations with many visitors and large amounts of lost property.
CrowdEyes makes it easier to create an overview, document the handling and improve the chance that lost items will be reunited with their rightful owners.
Press contact
Jann Kallehauge
jka@crowdeyes.com
45 60 15 60 42
