[talk-au] When is a road a cycle route?

[Ian Sergeant]

On 6 December 2012 19:17, Steve Bennett <stevagewp at gmail.com> wrote:

>    I'm all in favour of recording subjective information about the
> rideability of individual streets - in fact there are several other
> projects out there doing this already. I don't think misusing the LCN/RCN
> tags is the right way to do this though. A few reasons:
> - You can't record anything about *why* this is a good route
> - You can't record different levels of goodness
> - You can't distinguish between "this is a good route" and "this is
> actually a signed cycle route"
>

I think you are overstating my position.

Fundamentally, I think it is a continuous set of navigational signs that
should be the primary indicator of a bicycle route, preferably agreeing
with some documentation from the relevant authority.

However,  we need to take care we don't get to the point where blue bicycle
sign implies bicycle route in OSM.

So, there are several reasons we should not tag these "official" routes in
OSM..

1. If they are wholly unsuitable for cycling of any form.

2. If it is a  "cyclists get the hell outta here" situation.  Implemented
to remove cyclists from a way rather than give them a positive route.

3. If it is only a planned route.

4. If it is outdated and a newer route has been implemented (and the old
signs just happen to be still in place).

I can only see one reason where we should tag an section that is not part
of an "official route", and that is where it logically connects two
signposted sections, and it would be obvious to the reasonable cyclist
after consulting any available documentation that the signs for the
intermediate section are just omitted.

I don't think this is an issue with routes like railtrails.  They are put
together with care.  However, this is very applicable to RTA routes and
council routes.  Some of the RTA maps are decades old, and are really bad.
Some of the council signposts are downright crazy.

In 95% of cases, I'm sure we would agree with what should be a cycle route
and what shouldn't be.

Ian.
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