[OSM-talk-be] More cycle routes...

[Ben Laenen]

Hi all,

The different types of cycle routes were quite well divided between 
national, regional and local routes so far. Unfortunately, we now may 
need a fourth category for the so called Itinéraires Cyclables 
Régionaux or Gewestelijke Fietsroute (ICR-GFR) in Brussels [1] (and 
maybe something similar in Antwerp if we find out if the routes there 
are still maintained [2]).

The biggest difference between the ICR-GFR network and the other routes 
is of course that the latter is only for touristic use.

But now: these extra routes mess up the three-layered tagging system 
lcn/rcn/ncn, so we need to agree on a way to tag these.

Basically, we need to decide between using lcn (local) or rcn 
(regional). The pros and cons (add your own):


lcn - pro:
* the ICR-GFR network is similar to the London network, which is tagged 
with lcn
* the routes are also local, rcn means it at least can link some cities
* the themed cycle routes which are now tagged as lcn are sparse in big 
cities, so less confusion
* Limburg already decided to remove the themed route signs (since 
they're superceded by the cycle node network), other provinces may 
follow, although it now looks like only part of these routes will 
disappear in the next years. But it nevertheless means that the lcn 
network gets more sparse, so even less confusion for these in the end.

rcn - pro:
* Brussels and the direct surrounding municipalities don't have the 
cycle node network yet like the rest of Flanders, so it wouldn't make 
confusion (for now, until the cycle node network is extended towards 
Brussels, see [3] for the original schedule)

rcn - con:
* it makes sense to completely reserve the rcn tags for the cycle node 
networks only


The third option would be to get a new tag (for either the themed cycle 
routes now tagged as lcn, or for the ICR-GFR network), but then that 
needs to get adapted by the renderers who are managed by people in 
other countries who have to be convinced of the need, etc.

Anyway, let's get some other comments on this once to decide what tag to 
use. My preference is lcn for ICR-GFR for the reasons given above, but 
let's hear your ideas on this first.

Greetings
Ben



[1] http://www.fiets.irisnet.be/en/cycling_map_en.htm
[2] http://www.werkenantwerpen.be/gallery.aspx?id=115&pos=4&type=3
[3] 
http://jsp.vlaamsparlement.be/docs/schv/2006-2007/BOURGEOIS/42/antw.042.bijl.001.xls