Does separate cycleway implies allowed use of the main carriageway in the UK

Robert_Manson-Sawko · 2024-08-02T19:41:30.420Z

I live in the UK and would like to improve the data in my local area particularly for cycling infrastructure. I initially started tagging using StreetComplete, which has cycleway layer, but after reading a little bit more about cycling tagging and cycling tagging in the UK I am a bit confused about a specific situations.

My main concern is the use of cycleway:*=separate in the following case:

carriageway and cycle track are mapped as separate ways
cycle track is a shared use path,
the physical separation is a kerb, sometimes kerb and a lawn,
shared use path is only one side of the road.

I have several situations like this in my area. I initially tagged the main carriageway as e.g. cycleway:left=separate. This was StreetComplete suggestion, but I became concerned that this may imply that a cyclist cannot use the main carriageway, which I don’t believe is the case. I had a hunch this may be inaccurate as a road cyclist may prefer a smooth asphalt of the main carriageway to a side path shared with pedestrians. I was wondering whether cycleway:*=no is more appropriate.

Witherwin Avenue is one example and this stretch of A56.

Could you also suggest what would be the right way to tag pedestrian infrastructure.

PS I have since noticed that there’s also a tag use_sidepath, which is only valid in countries that have compulsory side tracks. I assume that UK is not such a country.

trigpoint · 2024-08-02T20:32:00.953Z

Robert_Manson-Sawko:

I have since noticed that there’s also a tag use_sidepath, which is only valid in countries that have compulsory side tracks. I assume that UK is not such a country.

The UK is certainly not such a country.

Cyclists and pedestrians can use any road unless explicitly signed.

Nadjita · 2024-08-03T05:11:57.441Z

Robert_Manson-Sawko:

I have several situations like this in my area. I initially tagged the main carriageway as e.g. cycleway:left=separate. This was StreetComplete suggestion, but I became concerned that this may imply that a cyclist cannot use the main carriageway

cycleway:left=separate doesn’t say anything about being allowed to ride your bike on the carriageway, just that there is a cycleway along the left side of the road that’s mapped as a separate way. This cycleway is not compulsory unless explicitly tagged so via bicycle=use_sidepath.

Mateusz_Konieczny · 2024-08-03T06:12:02.073Z

Nadjita:

This cycleway is not compulsory unless explicitly tagged so via bicycle=use_sidepath.

To clarify: bicycle=use_sidepath (or bicycle:backward=use_sidepath or bicycle:forward=use_sidepath) would go on road where cyclists are restricted due to obligatory cycleway on one side or both.

SomeoneElse · 2024-08-03T08:49:39.323Z

trigpoint:

Cyclists and pedestrians can use any road unless explicitly signed.

There are so few of these that people claim to have listed them all. One you may be aware of is part of the A55.

Robert_Manson-Sawko · 2024-08-03T09:25:19.747Z

Thanks for all the replies. So would you agree that the following set would a be a reasonable tagging for the UK?

Main carriageway:

cycleway:left=separate
cycleway:right=no
highway=*
...
sidewalk:left=separate
sidewalk:right=no
...

The way for shared use path:

bicycle=designated
foot=designated
highway=cycleway
segregated=yes
...

trigpoint · 2024-08-04T17:44:41.000Z

I’m certainly aware of the special road section of the A55.

It uses old (but green) pre-chopsticks motorway signs with restrictions listed.