Bicycle

Feature : Bicycle

Description

Bicycle and cycleway features

Group

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 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				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				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	Description	Example
M1	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`	370646853 370646853
M2a	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 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`	72068274 72068274
M2c	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	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`	619210833 619210833
M3a	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` or older less specific style, missing info about side of the lane Way A: `highway=`^[1] + `oneway=yes` + `oneway:bicycle=no` + `cycleway=opposite_lane`	132400917 132400917
M3b	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` or older less specific style, missing info about side of the lane Way A: `highway=`^[1] + `oneway=yes` + `oneway:bicycle=no` + `cycleway=opposite_lane`
M4	Oneway cycle lane on right side of separated oneway roads. Way A: same as M2a Way B: same as M2a
M4	Alternative tagging for less accurate traces / aerials. Way A: same as L1a
M5	Oneway cycle lane on right side of a separated oneway road. Way A: same as M2a Way B: `highway=*`^[1] + `oneway=yes`
M5	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 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`
T1				(Alternative solution with a single way, also useful when the track position is not known) Way A: `highway=*`^[1] + `cycleway=track`
T2				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`
T2				(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				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`
T3				(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				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`
T4				(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	Photo	Description
S1		Cycling opposite to the oneway car traffic without dedicated lane/track (in some countries only). Way A: `highway=`^[1] + `oneway=yes` + `oneway:bicycle=no` or Way A: `highway=`^[1] + `oneway=yes` + `oneway:bicycle=no` + `cycleway=opposite`
S2		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`
S2		Way A: `highway=*`^[1] + `cycleway:left=track` + `cycleway:right=lane`
S3		If sidewalks are considered as implied: Way A: `highway=*`^[1] + `cycleway=track` + `segregated=yes`
		Cycle tracks on left and right sides of the road and sidewalks. If sidewalks are considered as implied with 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 not considered as implied: 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 not considered as implied, tagging 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		Easiest Way A: `highway=*`^[1] + `cycleway=track` + `segregated=yes` + `foot=designated`
		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`
		Alternative solution with 5 ways in OSM: Note that this variant is controversial as there is no physical separation between the two ways. 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	(footway + cycleway with different surfaces)	Easiest, ignore differences in type of paved surface `highway=path` + `segregated=yes` + `foot=designated` + `bicycle=designated` + `surface=paved`
		Use `cycleway:surface=` and `footway:surface=` `highway=path` + `segregated=yes` + `foot=designated` + `bicycle=designated` + `surface=paved` + `cycleway:surface=asphalt` and `footway:surface=paving_stones`
		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		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 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		Footway not designated as a cycleway but where cycling is legal (for example in a park where rules allow this) `highway=footway` + `bicycle=yes`

ramp:bicycle=yes (with highway=steps)

Cycle lanes and bus/taxi lanes

Ref	Context	Photo	OSM	Description
B1				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 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 lane on left side of the road and a shared cycle lane with a bus/taxi lane in right side. Proposal (no consensus): Way A: `highway=*`^[1] + `busway:right=lane` + `cycleway:left=lane` + `cycleway:right=share_busway` or Proposed_features/shared_lane
B4				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 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				Cycle lane shared with a bus/taxi lane in opposite direction of the oneway road. Proposal (no consensus): Way A: `highway=`^[1] + `cycleway:left=share_busway` + `busway=opposite_lane` + `oneway=yes` + `oneway:bicycle=no` or Way A: `highway=`^[1] + `cycleway:left=share_busway` + `busway=lane` + `oneway=yes` + `oneway:bus=no` + `oneway:bicycle=no`

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

↑ ^1.00 ^1.01 ^1.02 ^1.03 ^1.04 ^1.05 ^1.06 ^1.07 ^1.08 ^1.09 ^1.10 ^1.11 ^1.12 ^1.13 ^1.14 ^1.15 ^1.16 ^1.17 ^1.18 ^1.19 ^1.20 ^1.21 ^1.22 ^1.23 ^1.24 ^1.25 ^1.26 ^1.27 ^1.28 ^1.29 ^1.30 ^1.31 ^1.32 ^1.33 ^1.34 ^1.35 ^1.36 ^1.37 ^1.38 ^1.39 ^1.40 ^1.41 ^1.42 ^1.43 ^1.44 any type of motor car roads in the class highway=* like primary/secondary/tertiary/unclassified/residential/etc.

Cycle streets and bicycle roads

A cycle street is a street designed for bicycle with low motor traffic. Currently this exists only in Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Finland. 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:

surface=*
smoothness=*
tracktype=*
mtb:scale=*
incline=*

On-road cycling (cycle-friendly streets)

Consider using the following key/values to indicate cycle friendly streets. This 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
`shoulder:width`	`width of shoulder in metres`	Shoulder width
`cycleway`	`asl`	Advanced stop line, also known as bike boxes in North America
`maxweight=` `hgv=`		Roads without heavy vehicles are more desirable to cyclists.
`motor_vehicle=*`	`destination/delivery/agricultural/etc.`	Roads which restrict motor traffic (for example to reach a destination/residents: `motor_vehicle=destination`) are more desireable to cyclists.

Bicycle restrictions

Key	Value	When to use
`bicycle`	`yes`	Where bicycles are permitted, overriding default access (such as to motorways that permit bicycles as commonly 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.
`oneway:bicycle`	`yes`/`no`	Instead of, or in addition to, using `cycleway=opposite`, you can 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.

Facilities

Where there are facilities to lock up a bicycle or rent/hire bicycles, use:

Key	Value
`amenity`	`bicycle_parking`
`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 bicycle counter with display in situ (totem/barometer with clock):

Key	Value
`amenity`	`clock`
`display`	`digital`
`man_made`	`monitoring_station`
`monitoring:bicycle`	`yes`
`name`	name of counted street
`start_date`	year since starting counting
`support`	`pole`
`visibility`	`street`
`website`	URL of online data state

Bicycle clubs and associations

There is multiple possibilities to tag an bicycle association or club, the distinction will be made on the main activities.

A meeting place for cyclists with activities like self repair bicycle workshop, cartoparty, expositions, meetings, ..., can be map with:

amenity=community_centre

community_centre=club_house

club=bicycle

If the place is not managed by an association use only amenity=community_centre and precise the operator with operator=*.

To precise services you can add tags Proposed features/service:bicycle.

For the office of a bicycle association with few or no public service:
office=association

association=bicycle
For a cycling sport club:
club=sport

sport=cycling

Bicycle

Contents

Cycle features