diff --git a/src/c3nav/editor/forms.py b/src/c3nav/editor/forms.py
index 73880b4a..c7bb105c 100644
--- a/src/c3nav/editor/forms.py
+++ b/src/c3nav/editor/forms.py
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ def create_editor_form(editor_model):
                        'node_number', 'wifi_bssid', 'bluetooth_address', "group",
                        'ibeacon_uuid', 'ibeacon_major', 'ibeacon_minor', 'uwb_address',
                        'extra_seconds', 'speed', 'can_report_missing', "can_report_mistake",
-                       'description', 'speed_up', 'description_up',
+                       'description', 'speed_up', 'description_up', 'avoid_by_default',
                        'report_help_text', 'enter_description', 'level_change_description', 'base_mapdata_accessible',
                        'label_settings', 'label_override', 'min_zoom', 'max_zoom', 'font_size', 'members',
                        'allow_levels', 'allow_spaces', 'allow_areas', 'allow_pois', 'allow_dynamic_locations',
diff --git a/src/c3nav/mapdata/migrations/0116_waytype_avoid_by_default_alter_waytype_description.py b/src/c3nav/mapdata/migrations/0116_waytype_avoid_by_default_alter_waytype_description.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ac4a07ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/c3nav/mapdata/migrations/0116_waytype_avoid_by_default_alter_waytype_description.py
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# Generated by Django 5.0.8 on 2024-12-15 18:23
+
+import c3nav.mapdata.fields
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+
+    dependencies = [
+        ('mapdata', '0115_dataoverlay_access_restriction'),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name='waytype',
+            name='avoid_by_default',
+            field=models.BooleanField(default=False, verbose_name='avoid by default'),
+        ),
+        migrations.AlterField(
+            model_name='waytype',
+            name='description',
+            field=c3nav.mapdata.fields.I18nField(fallback_any=True, verbose_name='description (downwards or general)'),
+        ),
+    ]
diff --git a/src/c3nav/mapdata/models/graph.py b/src/c3nav/mapdata/models/graph.py
index edde9e5a..d3636b99 100644
--- a/src/c3nav/mapdata/models/graph.py
+++ b/src/c3nav/mapdata/models/graph.py
@@ -41,11 +41,12 @@ class WayType(SerializableMixin, models.Model):
     up_separate = models.BooleanField(_('upwards separately'), default=True)
     walk = models.BooleanField(_('walking'), default=False)
     color = models.CharField(max_length=32, verbose_name=_('edge color'))
+    avoid_by_default = models.BooleanField(_('avoid by default'), default=False)
     icon_name = models.CharField(_('icon name'), max_length=32, null=True, blank=True)
     extra_seconds = models.PositiveSmallIntegerField(_('extra seconds per edge'), default=0)
     speed = models.DecimalField(_('speed (m/s)'), max_digits=3, decimal_places=1, default=1,
                                 validators=[MinValueValidator(Decimal('0.1'))])
-    description = I18nField(_('description'), fallback_any=True)
+    description = I18nField(_('description (downwards or general)'), fallback_any=True)
     speed_up = models.DecimalField(_('speed upwards (m/s)'), max_digits=3, decimal_places=1, default=1,
                                    validators=[MinValueValidator(Decimal('0.1'))])
     description_up = I18nField(_('description upwards'), fallback_any=True)
diff --git a/src/c3nav/routing/models.py b/src/c3nav/routing/models.py
index 2ab62d55..5e36cd6d 100644
--- a/src/c3nav/routing/models.py
+++ b/src/c3nav/routing/models.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class RouteOptions(models.Model):
             fields['waytype_%d' % waytype.pk] = forms.ChoiceField(
                 label=waytype.title_plural,
                 choices=tuple(choices),
-                initial='allow'
+                initial='avoid' if waytype.avoid_by_default else 'allow',
             )
 
         fields['restrictions'] = forms.ChoiceField(
diff --git a/src/c3nav/routing/route.py b/src/c3nav/routing/route.py
index 7e52b7e8..4f883618 100644
--- a/src/c3nav/routing/route.py
+++ b/src/c3nav/routing/route.py
@@ -178,14 +178,14 @@ class Route:
     def options_summary(self):
         options_summary = [
             {
-                'fastest': _('fastest route'),
-                'shortest': _('shortest route')
+                'fastest': _('fastest'),
+                'shortest': _('shortest')
             }[self.options['mode']],
         ]
 
         restrictions_option = self.options.get('restrictions', 'normal')
         if restrictions_option == "avoid":
-            options_summary.append(_('avoid restrictions'))
+            options_summary.append(_('avoid restrictionss'))
         elif restrictions_option == "prefer":
             options_summary.append(_('prefer restrictions'))
 
@@ -193,10 +193,9 @@ class Route:
                                 for name, value in self.options.items())
 
         if waytypes_excluded:
-            options_summary.append(_('some path types avoided'))
-
-        if len(options_summary) == 1:
-            options_summary.append(_('default options'))
+            options_summary.append(_('avoid some path types'))
+        else:
+            options_summary.append(_('all path types'))
 
         return ', '.join(str(s) for s in options_summary)