Path examples

As was humbly requested on the Proposal talk:Path, here's some example images of paths inadequately described or differentiated by tagging before the introduction of highway=path, as viewed by the users supporting it. This list is not yet comprehensive, no examples of byways as-specified-by-English-law exist in all countries.

Currently pictured cases are not the original reason for highway=path (except the first picture and the combined cycleway and footway type), but are listed here because of a request to clarify the effects of highway=path.

Since only the deprecation part was rejected, those taggings could still be used but with the added possibility of distinguishing between the designated for some use vs. not forbidden.

Example	Description	Tagging
	A path built and designated for snowmobile use. Foot traffic possibly "not permitted or unsuitable".	highway=path foot=no snowmobile=designated
	An urban path with no signs at all. Not really suitable for cycling but it's not forbidden, either. Area is public space so access not forbidden. Use on foot known to be possible and legal.	highway=path foot=yes wheelchair=no
	A path with no signs at all but too narrow for motorcars so it's not a highway=track but starts from the end of a track. Allowed and not totally unsuitable for cycling, but known to be walkable.	highway=path
	A path through an urban forest as in "there is something used for transport"; walking is possible on dry and non-winter days with a sure foot, but you wouldn't route anyone there.	highway=path wheelchair=no
	A path designated for pedestrians and cyclists equally. Possibly horse access is not allowed, depends on local law.	highway=cycleway foot=designated or highway=path bicycle=designated foot=designated (horse=no depending on jurisdiction)
	An urban path on which motorized vehicle access is forbidden. As above but no guarantees on passability. Likely without restrictions on horses. Access on foot and on a bicycle is known to be legal and possible.	highway=path foot=yes bicycle=yes Implied by path, but specifically indicated so could be tagged anyway: motorcar=no motorcycle=no
	A Public Footpath under law in England & Wales. Foot traffic has legal right of way. A footway has a different definition under UK law.	highway=path foot=designated horse=no bicycle=no
	An unmarked footpath across UK country-side. Safe to assume public access (not right of way), verify with Survey Office	highway=path foot=yes horse=no bicycle=no
	A designated footway.	highway=footway or: highway=path foot=designated (bicycle=no depending on jurisdiction)
	A sidewalk without signs (if drawn as a separate way)	highway=footway (foot=yes if your jurisdiction differentiates between marked and unmarked sidewalks) or highway=path foot=yes (legal and known to be possible) horse=no bicycle=no
	A path on which only cycling is allowed.	highway=cycleway (bicycle=designated implied by cycleway) (foot=no depending on jurisdiction) or highway=path bicycle=designated (foot=no depending on jurisdiction)
	A path on which motorized vehicles and horses are forbidden.	highway=path foot=yes bicycle=yes horse=no Implied by path, but it's explicitly signed so could be tagged: motorcar=no motorcycle=no or highway=track horse=no motorcar=no
	Bridleway	highway=bridleway (foot=no depending on local law) (bicycle=no) or highway=path horse=designated (foot=no depending on local law - 'yes' implied) (bicycle=no)
	3m wide gravel path. Local knowledge [1] indicates that this is a shared-use path (“It is open to bicyclists, hikers, joggers and horseback riders in the spring, summer and fall and to snowmobilers, skiers and dog sledders during the winter...No ATV’s are allowed on the trail.”)	highway=path bicycle=designated foot=designated horse=designated snowmobile=designated ski=designated dogsled=designated motor_vehicle=no atv=no surface=gravel width=3
	2.5m wide asphalt concrete path. It is signed “No motor vehicles,” and local knowledge [2] indicates that it is a shared use path (“...is a hiking and biking trail...”).	highway=path bicycle=designated foot=designated motor_vehicle=no surface=asphalt width=2.5
	Pacific Crest Trail in California, Oregon, and Washington, USA	highway=path horse=designated foot=designated bicycle=no
	Segregated cycle- and footway with different surfaces.	highway=path surface=paved foot=designated bicycle=designated segregated=yes footway:surface=paving_stones cycleway:surface=asphalt cycleway:smoothness=excellent tactile_paving=yes