Footpaths and back paths

Walking is healthy. We have lots of footpaths in the municipality. They can range from a path through a forest to a path through a residential neighborhood. We have several types of footpaths:

  • Along a roadway or bicycle path; 
  • separated from the road by bushes or grass; 
  • footpaths connecting neighborhoods;
  • loose footpaths. 
an illuminated walkway
Photo: A footpath in our community, right by the road, illuminated by lighting on the road.

Mock security

Social safety certainly plays a role on loose footpaths. The main issue is the feeling of safety. Often the loose footpaths are used to walk the dog. If there is visibility from the surrounding area on the footpath, then there is some degree of social supervision. But often the footpaths are between residential areas and out of sight from the surrounding area. With an illuminated footpath, then there is a false sense of safety. 

A footpath along the neighborhood.
Photo: Misterweg in Bredevoort, a footpath along the neighborhood.

Back Path

Back paths are paths that run behind houses. These are often narrow paths to get to the backyards. We do not light the back paths that belong to the municipality. However, often the back paths belong to others. They then determine whether or not the back path is illuminated.

Back path: the path is used to access adjacent gardens.
Photo: Irenestraat Dinxperlo. Back path of the municipality that is not illuminated. The path is used to reach the adjacent gardens.

This is how we do it from now on

  • Footpaths along a through road in built-up areas are generally illuminated indirectly by street or bicycle path lighting. If the footpath is separated from the street or bicycle path, we do not illuminate the footpath separately. 
  • Loose public footpaths we light only if they connect residential areas and there is enough social control. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis. 
  • For lighted walkways, the lights are dimmed after 7 p.m.. If they are hardly used after 11 p.m., we may decide to turn off the lights. This should then be technically possible. 
  • We do not light our back paths. If a backpath belongs to a third party, such as the housing association, they will decide whether or not it is illuminated. We discuss with these owners whether their choice can be coordinated with ours.