Classic vs Alternative tagging schemes in use in the United Kingdom

There are currently two schemes in use for footpaths, cycle tracks and bridleways. It is of personal preference as to which makes the most sense and which you should use. Each have their pros and cons.

Classic

Implied tag values when using highway=* in the UK (unless over-ridden)

Tag	Highway=
	footway	bridleway	cycleway
surface	unpaved	unpaved	paved
foot	designated	designated	designated
horse	no	designated	no
bicycle	no	yes	designated
vehicle	no	no	no

The original method uses so-called duck tagging: if a path is used as a footway and looks like a footway, you tag it as highway=footway. (Similarly highway=cycleway, highway=bridleway and so on). Access rights are inferred from the tag (and country) with additional specific access tags added as required:

Pros:

• Fewer tags are needed.
• Is the original method so already prevalent.

Alternative

An alternative scheme uses granular tags added to a basic highway=path tag. When used in the UK, it implies "A generic narrow path that is used in conjunction with access tags and a designation=* tag where applicable" and surface=unpaved

Pros:

• Access rights are defined and unambiguous and are separate from the physical attributes.

Cons:

• More tags are usually required.
• If additional access tags are not added, it is unclear who is permitted to use the route.
• If additional surface tags are not added, it is unclear whether the route is suitable for different users.
• Not convincingly supported by major renderers. The standard map style at OpenStreetMap.org, and the OpenCycleMap style, will both show highway=path; foot=designated;bicycle=designated;horse=designated;designation=public_bridleway in the style that is familiar for cycleways, rather than in a bridleway style.

See access for more information.

Examples of the different schemes

Here are a couple of examples of the different mapping schemes:

Image	Description	Classic tagging style	Alternative tagging style
	A path intended for pedestrian usage.	highway=footway; surface=* recommended;	highway=path; foot=designated; surface=* recommended
PENDING	A path intended for horseriders. Please note: omitting the surface=* tag implies it is unpaved	highway=bridleway;	highway=path; horse=designated; bicycle=yes†; foot=designated†