Bicycle

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Logo. Feature : Bicycle
One example for Feature : Bicycle
Description
Bicycle and cycleway features
Group

Bicycles

Tags

This page lists some possible options for how to enter and tag bicycle and cycleway related data into OSM. Having good quality cycleway data allows routing software to choose the way that best suits cyclists.

Cycle features

OSM distinguishes between cycle lanes and cycle tracks. A cycle lane lies within the roadway itself (on-road), whereas a cycle track is separate from the road (off-road). Tracks are typically separated from the road by e.g. curbs, parking lots, grass verges, trees, etc.

There are two ways to model cycle tracks. One possibility is to draw separate ways along the roadway which are tagged as highway=cycleway. The alternative is to add a cycleway=track tag to the existing way. Both methods each have their pros and cons. Notably, a separately tagged cycleway generally allows to capture more detail, while adding a single tag to an existing way takes much less time and in many cases can be as accurate. Both methods are in use today, and there is discussion about when to prefer which method.

The tables below with many examples and pictures are for right-hand drive countries.

Cycle lanes in bidirectional motor car roads

A lane marked on a portion of a carriageway (UK), roadway or shoulder (USA), designated for cyclist use.

Ref Context Photo OSM Description
L1a
Cycle lanes left right.svg
Dsc01078 clip.jpg
Way A.png
Cycle lanes on left and right sides of the road.

Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway=lane

or

Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway:left=lane + cycleway:right=lane

or

Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway:both=lane

L1b
Cycle lanes both right.svg
Neuss Stephanstr dsc01113.jpg
Way A.png
Bidirectional cycle lane on right side of the road.

Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway:right=lane + cycleway:right:oneway=no

or

Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway=lane (note this can't be distinguished from L1a)

L2
Cycle lanes right only.svg
Way A.png
Oneway cycle lane on right side of the road only.

Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway:right=lane

(nb: bikes can use the normal highway on the left side)

Cycle lanes in oneway motor car roads

Ref Context Photo OSM Description Example
M1
Oneway cycle lane left right.svg
Fietsstrook Herenweg Oudorp.jpg
Way A.png
Cycle lanes on left and right sides of the oneway road.

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + cycleway=lane + oneway:bicycle=no

or

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + cycleway:left=lane + cycleway:right=lane + oneway:bicycle=no

way 370646853
M2a
Oneway cycle lane right only.svg
Neuss Bergheimerstr PICT8477.JPG
Way A.png
Oneway cycle lane on right side and same direction of the oneway road.

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + cycleway:right=lane

or

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + cycleway=lane

M2b
Oneway cycle lane left only.svg
Way A.png
Oneway cycle lane on left side and same direction of the oneway road.

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + cycleway:left=lane

or

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + cycleway=lane

cycleway:left=lane 53°16′40.58″ N, 9°04′17.62″ W
M2c
Cycle lanes oneway middle.png
Way A.png
Oneway cycle lane in the direction as the oneway road, between driving lanes.

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + lanes=2 + cycleway=lane (note that this tagging is ambiguous with a cycle lane that is on the right or left side of the road)

M2d
Cycle lanes both left.svg
Way A.png
Bidirectional cycle lane on left side of the oneway road.

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + oneway:bicycle=no + cycleway:left=lane + cycleway:left:oneway=no


way 619210833
M3a
Oneway cycle opposite lane left.svg
Cycle contraflow Caen c.jpg
Way A.png
Oneway contraflow cycle lane on left side and opposite direction of the oneway road. Cyclists in one direction use lane together with other vehicles, in opposite one they have a dedicated lane.

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + oneway:bicycle=no + cycleway:left=lane + cycleway:left:oneway=-1

way 132400917
M3b
Oneway cycle opposite lane right.svg
Way A.png
Oneway contraflow cycle lane on right side and opposite direction of the oneway road. Cyclists in one direction use lane together with other vehicles, in opposite one they have a dedicated lane.

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + oneway:bicycle=no + cycleway:right=lane + cycleway:right:oneway=-1

M4
Separate car lanes cycle lanes left right.svg
Way A Bdown2.png
Oneway cycle lane on right side of separated oneway roads.

Way A: same as M2a

Way B: same as M2a

Way A.png
Alternative tagging for less accurate traces / aerials.

Way A: same as L1a

M5
Separate car lanes cycle lanes right only.svg
Way A Bdown2.png
Oneway cycle lane on right side of a separated oneway road.

Way A: same as M2a

Way B: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes

Way A.png
Alternative tagging for less accurate traces / aerials.

Way A: same as L2

Cycle tracks

Road (UK) or path (USA, Canada) dedicated to cyclists on separate right of way.

Ref Context Photo OSM Description
T1
Cycle tracks left right.svg
Copenhagen Style Bike Lane.jpg

Cycleway=track.jpg

Way A B Cdown.png
Cycle tracks on left and right sides of the road.

Way A: highway=*[1] + bicycle=use_sidepath if usage of cycle track is compulsory

Way B: highway=cycleway + oneway=yes

Way C: highway=cycleway + oneway=yes

Way A.png
(Alternative solution with a single way, also useful when the track position is not known)

Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway=track

T2
Cycle tracks both right.svg
Cycle route marking Le Havre.jpg
Way A B.png
Bidirectional cycle track right side of the road.

Way A: highway=*[1] + bicycle=use_sidepath if usage of cycle track is compulsory

Way B: highway=cycleway + oneway=no

Way A.png
(Alternative solution with a single way, also useful when the track position is not known)

Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway:right=track + cycleway:right:oneway=no

T3
Cycle tracks cars-one-way cycle-two-way right.svg
Way A B.png
Bidirectional cycle track right side of the one way road.

Way A: highway=*[1]+ oneway=yes + bicycle=use_sidepath if usage of cycle track is compulsory

Way B: highway=cycleway + oneway=no

Way A.png
(Alternative solution with a single way, also useful when the track position is not known)

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + cycleway:right=track + oneway:bicycle=no

T4
Cycle track oneway right.svg
Way A B.png
Oneway cycle track on right side of the road.

Way A: highway=*[1] + bicycle:forward=use_sidepath if usage of cycle track is compulsory

Way B: highway=cycleway + oneway=yes

Way A.png
(Alternative solution with a single way, also useful when the track position is not known)

Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway:right=track

(nb: bikes can use the normal highway on the left side)

Miscellaneous

Ref Context Photo OSM Description
S1
Oneway cycle opposite nolane left.svg
Way A.png
Cycling opposite to the oneway car traffic without dedicated lane/track (in some countries only).

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + oneway:bicycle=no

S2
Cycle track left lane right.svg
Way A Bdown.png
Cycle track on left side and cycle lane on right side of the road.

Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway:right=lane + bicycle:backward=use_sidepath if usage of cycle track is compulsory

Way B: highway=cycleway + oneway=yes

Way A.png
Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway:left=track + cycleway:right=lane
S3
Cycle tracks sidewalks left right.svg
Way A.png
If sidewalks are mapped as a tag on the main highway:

Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway=track + segregated=yes

Way A B Cdown.png
Cycle tracks on left and right sides of the road and sidewalks.

If sidewalks are mapped as a tag on the main highway:

Way A: highway=*[1] + bicycle=use_sidepath if usage of cycle track is compulsory

Way B: highway=cycleway + oneway=yes

Way C: highway=cycleway + oneway=yes

If sidewalks are mapped as separate ways:

Way A: highway=*[1] + bicycle=use_sidepath if usage of cycle track is compulsory

Way B: highway=path + bicycle=designated + oneway=yes + foot=designated + segregated=yes

Way C: highway=path + bicycle=designated + oneway=yes + foot=designated + segregated=yes

If sidewalks are mapped as separate ways without highway=path:

Way A: highway=*[1] + bicycle=use_sidepath if usage of cycle track is compulsory

Way B: highway=cycleway + oneway=yes + foot=designated + segregated=yes

Way C: highway=cycleway + oneway=yes + foot=designated + segregated=yes

S4
Cycle tracks left right footways.svg
Way A.png
Easiest

Way A: highway=*[1] + cycleway=track + segregated=yes + foot=designated

Way A B Cdown.png
Cycle tracks on left and right sides of the road and the sidewalks/footways.

Way A: highway=*[1] + bicycle=use_sidepath if usage of cycle track is compulsory

Way B: highway=cycleway + oneway=yes + foot=designated + segregated=yes

Way C: highway=cycleway + oneway=yes + foot=designated + segregated=yes

Way A B C Ddow Edownn.png
Alternative solution with 5 ways in OSM:

Note that this variant is controversial as there is no physical separation between the cycleway and the footway. Use another variant if possible.

Way A: highway=*[1] + bicycle=use_sidepath if usage of cycle track is compulsory

Way B: highway=cycleway + oneway=yes

Way C: highway=footway

Way D: highway=cycleway + oneway=yes

Way E: highway=footway

S5
Cycle tracks footways.svg
Witosa bike 2.jpg
(footway + cycleway with different surfaces)
Way A 1.svg
Easiest, ignore differences in type of paved surface

highway=path + segregated=yes + foot=designated + bicycle=designated + surface=paved

Way A 1.svg
Use cycleway:surface=* and footway:surface=*

highway=path + segregated=yes + foot=designated + bicycle=designated + surface=paved + cycleway:surface=asphalt and footway:surface=paving_stones

Way AB 1.svg
Tag it as two separate ways:

Note that this variant is controversial as there is no physical separation between the two ways. Use another variant if possible.

Way A: highway=footway + surface=paving_stones

Way B: highway=cycleway + surface=asphalt

S6
Stairs with ramp.jpg
Way A 1.svg
Steps with bicycle ramps can be tagged see ramp=*, possible bicycle friendly value can be:

ramp:bicycle=yes

ramp:stroller=yes

ramp:wheelchair=yes

S7
Way A 1.svg
Way designated for both cyclists and pedestrians, without separate spaces. Such combined footway+cycleway can be standalone or a sidewalk next to a road (in such case also footway=sidewalk is applicable)

highway=footway/highway=cycleway/highway=path + bicycle=designated + foot=designated + segregated=no + surface=*

S8
Way A 1.svg
Footway not designated as a cycleway but where cycling is legal (for example in a park where rules allow this)

highway=footway + bicycle=yes


Cycle lanes and bus/taxi lanes

Ref Context Photo OSM Description
B1
Cycle track left lane right bus right.png
Way A.png
Cycle lanes on left and right sides of the road with a bus/taxi only lane.

Proposal (no consensus):

Using the suffix for Lanes:
Way A: highway=* + lanes=3 + lanes:forward=2 + access:lanes=*no|yes|yes|no|no + bicycle:lanes=*designated|yes|yes|designated|yes + bus:lanes=*no|yes|yes|no|designated + taxi:lanes=*no|yes|yes|no|designated

Note: the suffix :lanes could be used for all the other examples too, but is used usually only in situations where it is not possible to tag the layout of the lanes with other tags.

B2
Cycle lanes left right bus right.png
Way A.png
Cycle lanes on left and right sides of the road after a bus/taxi only lane in right side.

Proposal (no consensus):

Way A: highway=*[1] + lanes=3 + lanes:forward=2 + lanes:bus:forward=1 + busway:right=lane + cycleway=lane

B3
Cycle lanes left shared bus right.png
Way A.png
Cycle lane on left side of the road and a shared cycle lane with a bus/taxi lane in right side.

Way A: highway=*[1] + busway:right=lane + cycleway:left=lane + cycleway:right=share_busway

B4
Cycle track shared bus right.png
Way A Bdown2.png
Cycle track shared with a bus/taxi track in right side of the road.

Proposal (no consensus):

Way A: highway=service + service=bus + oneway=yes + cycleway:right=share_busway

Way B:
assuming for bicycle and buses there is an obligation to use Way A in forward directions (of way A):
highway=*[1] + oneway:bus=yes + oneway:bicycle=yes
assuming bicycles may use Way B in both directions:
highway=*[1]

B5
Cycle lane shared bus right.png
Way A.png
Cycle lane shared with a bus/taxi lane on right side of the road (in some countries only).

Proposal (no consensus):

Way A: highway=*[1] + lanes=4 + lanes:bus:forward=1 + busway:right=lane + cycleway:right=share_busway

B6
Oneway opposite shared bus left.png
2010-01-02 15.19.16.jpg
Way A.png
Cycle lane shared with a bus/taxi lane in opposite direction of the oneway road.

Proposal (no consensus):

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + oneway:bicycle=no + cycleway:left=share_busway + cycleway:left:oneway=-1 + busway=opposite_lane

or

Way A: highway=*[1] + oneway=yes + oneway:bus=no + oneway:bicycle=no + cycleway:left=share_busway + cycleway:left:oneway=-1 + busway=lane

All pictures are available in both .png and .svg files in the wiki repository (use .png when text is present).

Cycle streets and bicycle roads

A cycle street is a street designed for bicycle with low motor traffic. Currently this exists in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and Switzerland. In all cases, there are specific traffic signs, each with their own implications. Have a look at the cyclestreet=* wiki page for more details.

The concept is closely related to bicycle_road=*, which only exist in Germany.

Add cyclestreet=yes, don't change highway=*.

Pedestrian streets

highway=pedestrian + (if needed) bicycle=yes

Off-road and outdoor

Outside of cities and dense populated areas most cycling routes are mapped using highway=track when the way is also used by large motorized vehicles (agricultural, forestry, emergency vehicles...) or highway=path when not intended for motorized vehicles (rather pedestrians, horses...). While both imply bicycle=yes in most areas of the world, it is difficult for bicycle routers to suggest them as routes because a wide range of conditions (path surface, incline,..) can make them unsuitable for some or all types of bicycles.

Some additional tags that should be used to indicate suitability of such ways for bicycles:

See also Mountain biking.

On-road cycling (cycle-friendly streets)

Consider using the following key/values to indicate cycle friendly streets. These tags are objective and useful for detecting ways friendly for cyclists.

Key Value Purpose
maxspeed speed limit Roads with lower speed limits tend to be less crowded by cars.
source:maxspeed country_code:rural/country_code:urban/sign/… Always tag the source of the maxspeed limit!
surface=*

tracktype=* smoothness=*

For cyclists there is a very significant difference between surface=asphalt and surface=sand/surface=grass_paver/surface=unhewn_cobblestone, larger than for pedestrians or cars. Tagging for smoothness and track type quality is two other means to specify the surface quality of a road or a path.
traffic_calming=* Traffic calming features is a good way to limit the speed of motor vehicles and making the street safer for cyclists.
lanes=* total number of marked lanes making up the way Single lane wide roads with low speed limits tend to be low-stress routes (but may increase stress for cyclists that want to cycle fast)
width width of road in metres Indicate a wide single lane road or a squeeze point
shoulder no/yes/left/right/both Indicate the presence of a shoulder
cycleway asl Advanced stop line, also known as bike boxes in North America

Bicycle restrictions

Key Value When to use
bicycle yes Where bicycles are permitted, overriding default access (such as to motorways that permit bicycles, as can often be found in western parts of North America)
bicycle designated Where a way has been specially designated (typically by a government) for bicycle use
bicycle use_sidepath Where cycling on the main road is legally discouraged because of a parallel compulsory cycle track. Check with local laws.
bicycle optional_sidepath Where cycling on the main road is legally allowed but a parallel (optional) cycle track exists.
bicycle no Where bicycles are not permitted, ensure this is indicated. Note that carrying or pushing bicycles may be still accepted[1][2].
bicycle permissive Where bicycles do not have a legal right-of-way, but the land owner has indicated that bicycles are allowed.
bicycle destination Where bicycles have a legal right-of-way, but only if their destination is within that street or area.
bicycle dismount Where cycling is not allowed on short sections of signposted cycle routes, though "walk and push" (push the bicycle, while dismounted from it) is allowed.
oneway:bicycle yes/no Use oneway:bicycle=* to identify roads where the oneway rules for cyclists differ from the general oneway restriction. If there is a contraflow lane, see ref M3a and M3b above. If tagging an object where bicycles are the only permitted vehicles, a simple oneway=* should be used instead.

See also OSM tags for routing/Access-Restrictions for the default restrictions by highway type (and country-specific rules).

All values: access=*.

For restrictions on speed pedelecs and electric bicycles, see the corresponding wiki pages.

Routes

Individual sections of road/street/path may collectively form an overall route with official signage.

These should be represented by creating a Relation, as follows:

plus the type of network:

Only official routes, i.e. those signed on-street and/or published on maps by a local authority, should be entered into OSM. Informal recommendations, such as suggested routes published on general websites, do not form official infrastructure, and as such are not objective.

The use of lcn=* / rcn=* / ncn=* on a per-Way basis is deprecated and should no longer be used.

Separation from other road users

Segregation from pedestrians on shared-use paths

Where a path is shared-use, i.e. for use by both cyclists and pedestrians, if the path is split, e.g. by a white line, the segregated=* tag should be used:

segregated=yes Cyclists and pedestrians are separated, e.g. with a white line.
segregated=no No separation between cyclists and pedestrians.

Note that the segregation tag has nothing to do with segregation with motor vehicles. For that, use the separation tag:

Separation from motor vehicles

Where a cycle track/lane is within a road and separated from other vehicles, e.g. protected (segregated) bike lanes, this should be specified using the new separation=* tag.

This enables specifying:

  • The type of separation
  • Which side of the cycleway the separation is on
separation=* Used when the cycleway is mapped as a separate line (but is still built within the roadspace).
cycleway:separation=* Used when the cycleway is mapped as an attribute of the road line.

Barriers and obstructions

Cycle infrastructure may incorporate various obstructions such as bollards, barriers, gates, and non-flush kerbs.

Because they can cause delays - or even entirely prevent users of larger cycles from using a path, it is important that such obstructions are mapped.

Tag Description
barrier=cycle_barrier For mapping chicanes. The maximum available physical width, or individual spacing/opening/overlap widths, can be specified.
barrier=bollard For bollard(s) within a path.
barrier=gate For a gate.
kerb=no For when there is no kerb between sections of path/road, resulting in the cyclist having to stop/dismount. By constrast, kerb=flush can be used to declare explicitly that the kerb, i.e. no barrier.
highway=steps Steps obviously require cyclists to dismount. If there is a wheeling channel/ramp, add ramp:bicycle=yes. See example above.

Cycle parking

Cycle parking is important for the security of bicycle users. Facilities can range from individual stands, lockable units, or even a large dedicated cycle park building.

Key Value
amenity bicycle_parking

You should also ideally include the type, capacity (number of cycles) and whether covered. Full details are on the bicycle_parking page.

Facilities

Where there are facilities to rent/hire bicycles, use:

Key Value
amenity bicycle_rental
service:bicycle:rental yes

For shops that sell cycles and equipment:

Key Value
shop bicycle
service:bicycle:retail yes

For air pumps which can be used to refill bicycle tyres:

Key Value
amenity compressed_air
compressed_air yes
service:bicycle:pump yes

For a do-it-yourself (DIY), self repair station:

Key Value
amenity bicycle_repair_station
service:bicycle:diy yes

For a vending machine selling inner tubes:

Key Value
vending bicycle_tube

For street furniture or devices for cyclists that are intended to make waiting at esp. traffic lights more comfortable (known as "cyclist footrests", "leaning rails" or "bike rests"):

Key Value
highway cyclist_waiting_aid

Bicycle counters

Bicycle clubs and associations

Online services using OSM

Cartography/tiles

  • OpenCycleMap - a rendering project for bikers
  • CyclOSM - a free rendering project for every cyclist

Interactive maps

Bicycle routing

  • BRouter - routing for cyclists with different profiles, on mobile or online (world-wide)
  • Geovelo - routing for cyclists with different profiles, on mobile or online (Europe and North America)
  • CycleStreets - routing for cyclists (UK, much of Europe, various cities around the world)
  • BBBike @ World - a cycle route planner for more than 200 cities worldwide
  • cycle.travel - routing for cyclists (UK, Europe, North America, Australia+NZ)
  • GraphHopper - routing for cyclists (world-wide)
  • Komoot - routing for cycling and hiking (world-wide)
  • Naviki - routing for cyclists (world-wide)
  • Trip4YouMaps [1] - routing, navigation & tracking for cycling and hiking (world-wide)


See also

  • sport=cycling
  • cycleway:lane=* for marking distinction between advisory and exclusive bicycle lanes
  • Proposal:Key:is sidepath - To indicate whether a cycle way runs in parallel along a street, making it adjoining or runs separated and thus detached from the road.
  • DE:Bicycle(de) - big "portal" related to bicycle mapping (in German)
  • Mountainbike - portal for mountainbiking
  • Tourism - Cycling is a way for tourism.