[Tagging] Difference between "yes" and "designated" in access tags (was: Re: How to Tag Steps in a Bridleway)

[stevea]

In my mind "designated" means "for this infrastructure / mode-of-travel pair, DO use this."  Like legislatively or because a sign says so and quotes a local ordinance or traffic code statute.  "We built this, use it."  (Say, for your own safety and/or comfort).

With "yes" you certainly can use this infrastructure for that particular mode-of-travel.  Though, nothing more than that.

I hope this helps.

> On Apr 29, 2024, at 3:54 PM, Andy Townsend <ajt1047 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> On 29/04/2024 16:22, Jass Kurn wrote:
>> 
>> On Mon, 29 Apr 2024 at 10:03, Peter Neale via Tagging <tagging at openstreetmap.org> wrote:
>> It is "bicycles=yes" and not "bicycles=designated" because, for a bridleway   https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:highway%3Dbridleway
>> "Cyclists also have a right, unless the local authority makes orders to the contrary.... ...The local authority is not obliged to ensure suitability for bicycles, unlike for foot or horse users."#
>> 
>> Disagree with that, I always map a Public Bridleway as bicycle=designated. Cyclists have a statutory right to use these ways, which should be meaning behind the designated. The fact there is no requirement to maintain a Public Bridleway to a standard acceptable to all cyclists, does not impact on the right to use the way. It's a secondary matter that does not fall under "access". Or looking at this in another way. The fact a Public Footpath does not have to meet standards that would allow ALL pedestrians to use them, but does not mean a public footpath should be tagged foot=yes
> 
> In terms of access rights*, I've always thought that (in England and Wales**) "yes" and "designated" mean both "a legal right to access", as opposed to "permissive" that means "you can go there, but that right can be removed by the landowner whenever they wish".  What would you say the difference between "yes" and "designated" are?
> Best Regards,
> Andy
> * ignoring the use of "designated" on "highway=path" etc. where it is used to say that a path is really a footway or a cycleway.
> ** and also ignoring countries such as e.g. Scotland, Sweden, Finland et al where you have a legal right of access on foot across most areas, with some caveats.