Children riding bikes on footpaths, motorists giving way to buses: Govt proposes new road rules

Transport Minister Chris Bishop. Photo / Jason Dorday

Consultation is open on the proposed changes until March 25. Feedback can be provided via the NZTA website.

The proposed changes in full are:

Allowing children up to age 12 (inclusive) to ride their bikes on footpaths. Introducing a mandatory passing gap of between one and 1.5 metres, depending on the speed limit, to give motorists clearer guidance when passing cyclists and horse riders. Allowing e-scooters to use cycle lanes. Requiring drivers travelling under 60 kilometres per hour to give way to buses pulling out from bus stops. Clarifying signage rules so councils can better manage berm parking.

The Government is also proposing a number of rule changes for heavy vehicles. Bishop said operators had told the Government the current rules created unnecessary delays and costs without improving safety.

Under the proposals:

Some permit requirements would be removed so rental operators can move empty High Productivity Motor Vehicle truck and trailer combinations between depots and customers without unnecessary delays. Driver licence settings would be updated so Class 1 licence holders can drive zero-emissions vehicles with a gross laden weight up to 7500 kilograms, and Class 2 licence holders can drive electric buses with more than two axles with a gross laden weight up to 22,000 kilograms. Signage requirements for load pilot vehicles would be made more practical. Overseas heavy vehicle licence holders would be able to convert their licences either by sitting tests or completing approved courses.

These were “practical, commonsense changes” that gave operators more certainty to get on with their work, Bishop said.

“We encourage parents, cyclists, bus users, disability advocates, truck drivers, transport operators, councils and everyday road-users to have their say on the current proposals,” he said.

“Good rules are built on commonsense feedback from people who live by them.”

Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.