[OSM-talk] highway=cycle&footway

[David Earl]

On 23/03/2009 19:41, Mike Harris wrote:
> I would tend to use
> 
> Highway=bridleway (because that is what it is and bridleway is a clearly
> defined term and cycleway is - usually - not)

I think it is perfectly obvious in the UK, it's a cycleway if it has the 
blue cycle sign indicating that a surface is permitted for cycling when 
it otherwise not be.

> Then define access with
> 
> Foot=yes
> Bicycle=yes
> Horse=yes
> 
> Define legal status
> 
> Designation=public_bridleway

How do you know the legal status if not from the signing or other 
evidence on the ground? And once you've identified that I fail to 
understand what is wrong with the simple scheme we already have and is 
extensively used.

You may know the legal status of a few roads from your dealings with a 
local authority, in which case I agree that designation is helpful 
especially if it contradicts the evidence on the ground, but any bulk 
knowledge of this information is database copyright in the UK so can't 
be set in OSM.

I think you're making this way too complicated. In nearly all cases, 
highway=cycleway or highway=bridleway says what classes of people may 
use it by default. We only need tag the exceptions.

Apologies to non UK.

David