As a newbie, I can already see that cycleways need to be better defined, especially if we want an international standard.

The key/legend provided here
http://www.gravitystorm.co.uk/shine/cycle-info/
is just not suitable enough.

What, as a cyclist, do I want to know?

Well, firstly, there are are basically two different types of cycling I do: commuting and recreational. Are there any other types?

Commuting: It's pretty straight forward. I want the fastest safest easiest route to my destination; I want to know all of the government designated and supported routes; as well as the routes most frequented/recommended by other bicycle commuters.

Recreational: I want to get the most fun out of it (and generally, the least amount of traffic and interruptions).

So, different types of cycle paths:
- government sanctioned cycle routes/paths (national, regional, local)
- fastest most direct route (I care not about traffic, bring it on)
- fastest safest most direct route (avoiding main vehicle traffic)
- touring/racing route (scenic long route with fewest interruptions)
- mountain bike route (i.e. road/touring/casual bikes not recommended)
- roads or sections of road to avoid (i.e. too dangerous even if bicycles are legally allowed on the road etc.)
- long/steep gradients (grade percentage)
- surface: paved, gravel

- bicycles not allowed
- bicycles only (path/roadway)

- bicycle & pedestrians (in own lanes)
- bicycle & pedestrians (in same lane)

- bicycle & vehicle (in same lane)
- bicycle & vehicle (in own lanes)
- bicycle & vehicle (bicycle on shoulder)

Did I miss anything major?

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First Pet Peeve:
"Toucan Crossings"?? Come on people, think INTERNATIONAL. And do we really need to identify such crossings on the map? That's just overkill. When we get there, we'll see it, "Oh, a green bicycle, I guess I can cross now and don't have to wait for the traffic light or have to walk my bicycle across." I don't want a map that is cluttered with unimportant tedious details. All we need to know is that it is a crossing, not that Two-Can cross at the same time. Who cares. If you live around there, you'll quickly understand such things. If you are a tourist, you're likely just passing through and will never encounter that crossing ever again in your life. Either or, it's unimportant.

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Note of Possible Interest: Where I live, there are roads that I try to avoid on my bicycle because they are simply too dangerous due to traffic, but the city comes by with their bicycle stencil and marks the road as a bicycle route. Nothing at all has has been done to the road to make it more "bicycle friendly" other than a white bicycle symbol being painted on the road. It may be an official cycleway, but I would not reccomend the route.