Tag:foot=use sidepath

This tag, like bicycle=use_sidepath, applies only to roads with a classification that allows pedestrian use. In some countries it is illegal for pedestrians to use a road if a parallel compulsory sidepath exists. On OSM, this can be indicated by tagging the main road as foot=use_sidepath if the sidepath is mapped separately. This tag should only be applied in countries that have compulsory footways. Where the main road is explicitly forbidden, typically by a traffic sign on the main road, whether a sidepath exists or not, foot=no should be used.

Status

Unlike bicycle=use_sidepath, this tag was never properly proposed and accepted. Due to its considerable use however (often in combination with bicycle=use_sidepath), routing engines should treat it as a negative access value (i.e., equivalent to foot=no or a bit weaker) to prevent pedestrian users from being routed along illegal or even dangerous paths.

How to tag

This tag applies to ways where a parallel way suitable and mandatory for pedestrian traffic is mapped. In some countries (e.g., the Netherlands) the use of a parallel cycleway, footpath, or sidewalk is mandatory if present. If that parallel way is mapped, this tag can be used on the way that should not be used to indicate the compulsory use of the parallel way. Often, this tag will be combined with bicycle=use_sidepath.

If the compulsory parallel way for pedestrians is a separately mapped sidewalk, consider adding the appropriate sidewalk=* tags to this way. For example, sidewalk:right=separate and sidewalk:left=no (in case the sidewalk lies on the right hand side of the way tagged with foot=use_sidepath).

Links

This tag is used frequently in the Netherlands and in Germany. The lack of documentation and formal acceptance of this tag is discussed on the Dutch forum here.

See also

• sidewalk=separate, sidewalk:left=separate, and sidewalk:right=separate – This road has sidewalks but these are mapped using separate ways.
• bicycle=use_sidepath – Compulsory cycleway aside
• mofa=use_sidepath – Use compulsory parallel way instead
• moped=use_sidepath – Use compulsory parallel way instead
• Proposed_features/use_sidepath