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bikerouter-mcp

by mzorz

bikerouter-mcp

An MCP server that plans bike routes with bikerouter.de — the BRouter-Web frontend by Norbert Renner on top of the BRouter engine by Arndt Brenschede, routing on OpenStreetMap data.

Point any MCP client (Claude Code, Claude Desktop, …) at it and ask things like "plan a gravel route from Cologne to Bonn along the Rhine and give me the GPX".

What it can do

Tool

Purpose

plan_route

Route through 2+ waypoints (coordinates or place names) and return distance, ascent/descent, estimated riding time, surface and way-type breakdown, turn instructions, a shareable bikerouter.de link, and optionally a saved GPX/GeoJSON/KML/CSV file.

compare_profiles

Route the same waypoints with several profiles (e.g. trekking vs gravel vs fastbike) and compare distance, time, climb and paved share side by side.

geocode_place

Turn a place name, address or POI into coordinates (via Photon, the geocoder bikerouter.de uses).

list_profiles

List the known routing profiles, optionally verifying which ones the routing host actually serves.

get_profile_options

Read a profile's .brf source and list the parameters it exposes (avoid_unsafe, allow_ferries, totalMass, bikerPower, …) for use with plan_route's profile_options.

Sample plan_route output:

**Route** (profile: `trekking`)
Alexanderplatz, Berlin → Brandenburger Tor, Berlin

- Distance: **5.2 km**
- Estimated riding time: **20 min** (⌀ 15.6 km/h, from the profile's physics model)
- Ascent: **80 m** / descent: **60 m**
- Elevation: 35–55 m (start 35 m, end 55 m)

- Surfaces: asphalt 76.9% (4 km), gravel 23.1% (1.2 km)
- Way types: cycleway 38.5% (2 km), residential 38.5% (2 km), track 23.1% (1.2 km)

Open in bikerouter.de: https://bikerouter.de/#map=14/52.518154/13.396327/standard&lonlats=…&profile=trekking

Related MCP server: Hiking MCP Server

Install

cd bikerouter-mcp
npm install     # also builds via the prepare script
npm test

Register it with Claude Code:

claude mcp add bikerouter -- node /absolute/path/to/bikerouter-mcp/dist/index.js

or add it to claude_desktop_config.json / any other MCP client:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bikerouter": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/bikerouter-mcp/dist/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

No API key is needed — the service is free and unauthenticated.

Configuration

All optional, set as environment variables:

Variable

Default

Meaning

BIKEROUTER_HOST

https://brouter.de

Host serving the BRouter /brouter routing endpoint. bikerouter.de is only the web frontend and 404s here, so this defaults to brouter.de. Point it at http://localhost:17777 to use your own BRouter server.

BIKEROUTER_WEB_URL

https://bikerouter.de

Web UI used for the shareable map links.

BIKEROUTER_PROFILES_URL

<host>/brouter/profiles2/, then <host>/profiles/, then <web>/profiles/

Where .brf profile sources live (used by get_profile_options).

BIKEROUTER_GEOCODER_URL

https://photon.komoot.io/api

Photon-compatible geocoder.

BIKEROUTER_DEFAULT_PROFILE

trekking

Profile used when the caller does not name one.

BIKEROUTER_TIMEOUT_MS

60000

HTTP timeout. Long routes can take a while.

BIKEROUTER_USER_AGENT

bikerouter-mcp/0.1.0

Sent with every request.

How it maps onto the BRouter API

Requests are plain GET /brouter calls, exactly as documented in BRouter's ServerHandler.java:

/brouter?lonlats=lon,lat|lon,lat&nogos=lon,lat,radius,weight|…&profile=trekking
        &alternativeidx=0&format=geojson&timode=1&straight=0&profile:avoid_unsafe=true
  • waypointslonlats (place names are geocoded first, biased towards the previous waypoint)

  • avoid_areasnogos (omit weight for a hard no-go)

  • straight_fromstraight (beeline legs)

  • profile_optionsprofile:NAME=VALUE

  • alternative_indexalternativeidx (1–3 for alternative routes)

  • turn_instructionstimode (voice hints in the GeoJSON response)

The GeoJSON response is summarised locally: track length, filtered ascend, total-time and total-energy come from the track properties, descent is derived from the filtered ascent and the net height change, and the surface / way-type / smoothness breakdown is aggregated from the messages table (WayTags weighted by Distance).

Limitations worth knowing

  • Routing quality is OpenStreetMap quality. Missing surface or access tags produce odd detours; always sanity-check a route on the returned map link before riding it.

  • BRouter has no street names, so turn instructions read "in 1.2 km turn right" without a road name. That is a property of the engine, not of this server.

  • Estimated riding time comes from the profile's physics model (rider mass, power, drag). Override totalMass, bikerPower, maxSpeed via profile_options for a realistic figure.

  • Elevation needs SRTM coverage; above ~60°N/S the track comes back without elevations and the summary says so.

  • The public service is a free, community-run instance — keep request volume modest, or run your own BRouter server and set BIKEROUTER_HOST.

  • Profiles differ per server. list_profiles ships a catalog of the stock BRouter/BRouter-Web profiles; pass verify: true to check what a given host really serves.

Tests

npm test builds the server and runs node --test:

  • unit tests for URL building, waypoint validation, .brf parameter parsing and the GeoJSON summariser

  • an end-to-end test that speaks MCP over stdio to the real server binary against a stub BRouter host, covering routing, GPX export, profile listing and BRouter's plain-text error responses

The tests never touch the public service, so they run offline.

Credits and licence

Server code: MIT. It is a client only — routing is done by BRouter (MIT) through BRouter-Web / bikerouter.de, on map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Available Tools

5 tools
compare_profilesCompare routing profilesA

Routes the same waypoints with several profiles (e.g. trekking vs gravel vs fastbike) and compares distance, riding time, climb and surface mix, so the best style of route can be picked.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
profilesYesProfiles to compare, e.g. ["trekking", "gravel", "fastbike"]
waypointsYesStart, optional via points, and destination
avoid_areasNo
profile_optionsNoProfile parameter overrides sent as profile:NAME=VALUE, e.g. {"avoid_unsafe": true, "maxSpeed": 25}. Use get_profile_options to discover what a profile supports.

TDQS

A4/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries the behavioral burden. It explains that the tool computes routes for multiple profiles and reports comparison metrics, which is useful. It does not disclose side effects, error behavior, or constraints such as profile availability, though for a routing comparison the main behavior is well covered.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

A single sentence that front-loads the action (routes same waypoints with several profiles) and the purpose (compare metrics to pick best style), with no filler or repeated schema information.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a tool with nested parameters and no output schema, the description names all key output dimensions and states the input structure. Optional parameters are left to a detailed schema, and available profiles can be discovered from sibling list_profiles, so an agent has enough context to invoke it correctly.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 75% and most parameters already have descriptive text, so the baseline is 3. The description adds an example profile list and links profiles to the comparison metrics, but does not materially add meaning to waypoints, avoid_areas, or profile_options beyond the schema.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description uses a specific verb ('routes', 'compares') and a clear resource (waypoints across multiple routing profiles), and names concrete comparison metrics (distance, riding time, climb, surface mix). This distinguishes it from siblings like plan_route or list_profiles by emphasizing multi-profile comparison rather than single-route planning or profile enumeration.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

It clearly frames the use case: pick a route style by comparing the same waypoints under several profiles. It does not explicitly name alternatives or state when not to use it, but the 'several profiles' contrast makes the selection condition reasonably clear.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

geocode_placeFind coordinates for a placeA

Looks up coordinates for a place name, address or POI so it can be used as a routing waypoint.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
limitNoNumber of candidates (default 5)
queryYesPlace to search for, e.g. "Kölner Dom" or "Piazza Navona, Rome"
languageNoResult language, e.g. "en" or "de"
near_latNoBias results towards this latitude
near_lonNoBias results towards this longitude

TDQS

A4/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden for behavioral disclosure. It states the read-only nature ('looks up') and the main output ('coordinates'), but it does not disclose that multiple candidates may be returned, that results may be ambiguous, or how the response is structured. This is adequate for a simple lookup but lacks richer behavioral context.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, efficient sentence with no filler. The core action ('looks up coordinates') is front-loaded, followed by the object and use case. Every word earns its place.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a simple, read-only geocoding tool with no output schema, the description is nearly complete: it states the input scope, the output concept, and the routing use case. It does not specify the response format, but the title and description together make the tool's purpose and behavior sufficiently clear for correct invocation.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description adds minimal semantic value by clarifying that 'query' can be a place name, address, or POI, but it does not add significant explanation for limit, language, near_lat, or near_lon beyond what the schema already documents.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description states a specific verb ('looks up'), a clear resource ('coordinates for a place name, address or POI'), and a concrete use case ('as a routing waypoint'). It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like plan_route or compare_profiles, which serve different purposes.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides clear context by tying the tool's output to routing waypoints, implying it should be used whenever a place needs to be converted to coordinates before route planning. It does not explicitly exclude alternatives or mention when not to use it, but no sibling tool performs geocoding, so the usage context is reasonably clear.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

get_profile_optionsShow tunable options of a profileA

Fetches a profile's source and lists the parameters it exposes (avoid unsafe roads, allow ferries, rider mass and power, elevation weighting, ...). Pass them to plan_route via profile_options.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
profileYesProfile name, e.g. "trekking" or "gravel"

TDQS

A4.3/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the burden of explaining behavior. It discloses that the tool reads a profile's source and extracts tunable options, and the examples convey that the output is a list of parameter names. It doesn't explicitly state read-only semantics, but 'fetches' strongly implies a non-mutating operation, and no side effects are suggested.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single sentence that front-loads the core action and result, then quickly gives examples and a usage note. Every phrase adds value, and there is no wasted wording.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a tool with one parameter and no output schema, the description explains what it does, what it returns, and how to use the result. The absence of error-handling details or return format specifics is minor given the simplicity of the operation.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The schema already provides 100% coverage for the single parameter 'profile' with a description and example values. The tool description adds context about the parameter's role (used to fetch that profile's source), but this is largely implied by the purpose and doesn't provide additional semantic depth beyond the schema.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states a specific action ('fetches a profile's source') and its result ('lists the parameters it exposes'), with concrete examples of the parameters. It distinguishes itself from siblings like plan_route and compare_profiles by focusing on retrieving tuning options rather than routing or comparison.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description tells the agent to pass the fetched parameters to plan_route via profile_options, making the tool's role in a workflow clear. It doesn't explicitly exclude alternatives or mention when not to use it, but the connection to plan_route provides strong contextual guidance.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

list_profilesList routing profilesA

Lists the BRouter routing profiles (riding styles) known to this server, optionally checking which ones the routing host actually serves.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
verifyNoCheck availability by fetching each profile from https://brouter.de (slower)
categoryNoFilter by category (default bike)

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries the burden of behavioral disclosure. 'Lists' conveys a read-only operation, and the 'optionally checking' phrase hints at an extra verification step, but it does not disclose that verify says it fetches from an external URL (as in the schema) or that it might be slow. No contradictions.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

A single sentence with no wasted words. The core purpose is front-loaded, and the optional behavior is appended without distracting from the main operation.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a simple two-optional-parameter listing tool, the description covers scope and optional behavior. It does not describe the return format, but for a list operation this is likely inferable; overall, nothing critical is missing.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, with both 'verify' and 'category' having clear descriptions. The tool description adds no parameter-specific meaning beyond the schema, so the baseline 3 applies.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description uses a specific verb ('Lists') and a clear resource ('BRouter routing profiles') with a scope qualifier ('known to this server'), distinguishing it from sibling tools like plan_route and compare_profiles. The optional availability check adds clarity without ambiguity.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implies use when you need to discover server-known profiles, but it does not explicitly contrast with sibling tools or state when to use it instead of get_profile_options. No exclusions or preconditions are mentioned, so guidance is only implied.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

plan_routePlan a bike routeA

Plans a cycling route through the given waypoints with BRouter and returns distance, climb, estimated riding time, surface and way-type breakdown, turn instructions and a shareable bikerouter.de link. Waypoints may be coordinates or place names. Optionally saves the track as GPX/GeoJSON/KML.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
profileNoRouting profile (default "trekking"). See list_profiles.
save_toNoFile path to write the track to
waypointsYesStart, optional via points, and destination, in order
track_nameNoTrack name used inside the exported file
avoid_areasNoCircular areas the route should avoid
save_formatNoFormat for save_to (default gpx)
straight_fromNoWaypoint indexes (0-based) whose following leg should be a straight beeline instead of routed
include_geojsonNoAlso return the raw GeoJSON track (large; off by default)
profile_optionsNoProfile parameter overrides sent as profile:NAME=VALUE, e.g. {"avoid_unsafe": true, "maxSpeed": 25}. Use get_profile_options to discover what a profile supports.
alternative_indexNo0 = best route (default); 1-3 request alternative routes
turn_instructionsNoInclude turn-by-turn instructions (default true)
max_turn_instructionsNoCap on listed turns (default 40)

TDQS

A4/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries the full burden and does well: it discloses the return payload (distance, climb, time, surfaces, turn instructions, shareable link), optional file saving, coordinate/place-name waypoints, and the large-GeoJSON caveat. It does not mention failure modes, rate limits, or network dependency, but the core behavioral surface is well covered.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Three sentences cover the core action, output payload, waypoint flexibility, and optional saving behavior with no filler. Important details are front-loaded in the first sentence, and the later sentences add only necessary nuance.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given a complex schema with 12 parameters and no output schema, the description effectively summarizes what the tool returns and the key modes of use. It names most salient behaviors but leaves some output structure details (e.g., exact JSON shape, units) implicit; still, the description is sufficient for an agent to understand what the tool does and when it is appropriate.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents all 12 parameters and their meanings. The description adds a helpful high-level characterization of waypoints (coordinates or place names) and optional GPX/GeoJSON/KML export, but this overlaps with existing parameter descriptions rather than substantially extending them.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description names a specific verb ('Plans a cycling route'), a specific engine (BRouter), and a detailed list of outputs, which makes the tool's purpose unmistakable. It clearly differentiates from its siblings (profile comparison, geocoding, profile listing/options) without needing to mention them.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implies the tool is for routing through waypoints and references list_profiles/get_profile_options for related configuration, but it never explicitly states when to use plan_route versus an alternative or when not to use it. The context is clear enough from the purpose, but no direct usage-selection guidance is provided.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. 5 tool updatesv0.1.0
    • First observedcompare_profiles
    • First observedgeocode_place
    • First observedget_profile_options
    • First observedlist_profiles
    • First observedplan_route

TDQS

A4.1/5.0

Scored across 5 tools

Disambiguation4/5

The five tools are fairly distinct: plan_route is the core routing function, compare_profiles explicitly compares routing results across profiles, geocode_place converts names to coordinates, and list_profiles/get_profile_options are clearly about profile metadata. Minor confusion could arise between list and get_profile, but their scope is differentiated by listing and options-fetching.

Naming Consistency5/5

All tool names follow a consistent verb_noun pattern in lowercase with underscores: plan/compare/geocode/list/get + route/profiles/place. Every verb is specific and every noun clearly reflects the resource. There is no mixing of naming styles or tense conventions.

Tool Count5/5

The server provides exactly five tools for a domain that is naturally narrow: compose a route, compare routing outcomes, geocode a waypoint, inspect available profiles, and retrieve profile tuning details. This is a well-scoped set for a routing assistant without feature bloat.

Completeness4/5

The tool set covers the core lifecycle of bike route planning smoothly: geocoding inputs, planning a route, selecting and comparing routing styles. The main gap is the lack of a save/load route history or a user-specific profile creation tool, but these are optional conveniences, not critical. There are no major dead-ends in the existing workflow.

Maintenance

ActivityMaintained
ResponsivenessNo issues

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