<div dir="ltr">Hi Tony,<div> The <a href="https://www.openstreetmap.org/edit?way=1008258040#map=21/-38.08893/145.12596">area </a> in question is certainly what I wouldn't call a footpath being a wide grass only area but what is a footpath? I think of a footpath mainly in urban areas being just wider than a large pram (wider in shopping precincts), either concrete or asphalt. In rural areas, I see footpaths also being longer gravel versions that allow primary school kids safe access to the local school or bus stop. Anything else is a path, track or shared footpath however....</div><div><br></div><div> In Victoria (as with other states) the<a href="http://legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/road-safety-road-rules-2017/009"> road safety rules</a> say throughout ... "Bicycle, footpath, motor bike, nature strip and postal
vehicle are defined in the dictionary. ". I can't find a precise well-used definition but the <a href="https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/prod/filestore.nsf/FileURL/mrdoc_44431.pdf/$FILE/Road%20Traffic%20Code%202000%20-%20%5B05-w0-00%5D.pdf?OpenElement">WA Road Traffic Rules</a> say "footpath means an area that is open to the public that is
designated for, or has as one of its main uses, use by
pedestrians;" <br></div><div><br></div><div>Things get murkier if you pop over to <a href="https://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/resources/aus/word/map/search/word/footpath/Central%20West%20NSW/">Macquarie Dictionary</a> and see that Footpath can be inferred by some, as the entire area from residential boundary to road so that includes the grass, trees, crossovers and potentially, a "sidewalk". This is what I would call a naturestrip or roadside verge.</div><div><br></div><div>I see the WA definition of "designated for" as important. I also see potential risk to pedestrians and cyclists (reversing cars out of driveways) being key and the length of footpath as important as a long path without many exits would suggest cycling as a key option. In his instance, the footpath is on private land, has not been designated as a footpath and isn't signposted so I see this as a perfectly legitimate to cycle. </div><div><br></div><div>I know this hasn't answered your question however I would consider a footpath is only when a path runs parallel to a road and is in very close proximity to that road i.e. a sidewalk, Everything else is a path.</div><div><br></div><div>Regards</div><div><br></div><div>Ewen</div><div><br><div> </div></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, 7 Oct 2022 at 20:26, <<a href="mailto:forster@ozonline.com.au">forster@ozonline.com.au</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">Hi<br>
I have been monitoring the edits by a user who still "changes shared <br>
paths to footpaths as no signs present to indicated bikes are <br>
permitted" in Victoria Australia.<br>
<br>
Most of these changes are small ways where there are unlikely to be <br>
serious consequences, its not worth the petrol (or electricity in this <br>
case for my Nissan Leaf) to go out and inspect the way and I have said <br>
nothing.<br>
<br>
I have commented on way 1008258040 in Changeset: 126886850 where <br>
bicycle=yes by the previous editor has been removed because there were <br>
"no signs present to indicated bikes are permitted"<br>
<br>
There is good street level imagery. It is not a footpath in the <br>
sidewalk sense. It looks OK for bicycles to me. Sorry to bother but I <br>
request a clear community consensus again on whether "no signs present <br>
to indicated bikes are permitted" is of itself sufficient evidence <br>
that bicycles are disallowed.<br>
<br>
Sorry to bother you all<br>
Tony<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
Talk-au mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Talk-au@openstreetmap.org" target="_blank">Talk-au@openstreetmap.org</a><br>
<a href="https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au</a><br>
</blockquote></div><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr">Warm Regards<br><br>Ewen Hill<br><br></div></div>