The new rules:
require a minimum passing gap of 1.5m when drivers pass other road users who are not driving a motor vehicleallow children up to 12 years old to ride bikes on footpaths and allow parents or caregivers to ride with themallow people to ride e-scooters in cycle lanesrequire road users to give way to buses leaving bus stops
The Government sought public feedback on possible transport changes this year, Bishop said, and received about 6000 responses.
Changes for families biking together
One big change is for families who go cycling with young children.
Originally, it was proposed only children 12 and under could use footpaths, but that has been extended to allow their parents or caregivers to accompany them.
“One of the strongest messages we heard was that allowing children to ride on footpaths only solves half the problem if the grown-up riding with them still has to use the road,” Bishop said.
“That’s why we’ve adapted the proposal to allow parents and caregivers to ride alongside children on the footpath.
“Keeping kids safe while they’re learning to ride is common sense. This change strikes the right balance between protecting young cyclists and ensuring footpaths remain safe for everyone who uses them.”
Some submitters to the proposal were worried about possible impacts on pedestrian safety, especially for the elderly or disabled.
Overtaking gap rule simplified
The changes also simplified overtaking-gap rules when passing cyclists, pedestrians, horse riders and any other road users not driving a motor vehicle.
NZTA says drivers must leave a distance of at least 1.5m when passing those other road users when travelling in the same direction, in the same lane.
“If you can’t pass safely, slow down and wait behind them until you can,” NZTA says on its website. “Take extra care when passing them as the wind gust from your vehicle could affect their balance.”
“Instead of different distances in different circumstances, drivers will be required to leave a minimum gap of 1.5m when overtaking,” Bishop said.
“That’s clearer for drivers and safer for everyone.”
New rules for e-scooters and bus stops
E-scooters will now be allowed to use cycle lanes.
E-scooters have been allowed to ride on the footpath and the road, but it has been illegal to use them in cycle lanes.
This only applies to e-scooters that are not considered a motor vehicle, NZTA says.
A fourth rule also clarifies when drivers must give way to buses, which hadn’t previously been laid out.
On roads with a 60km/h or lower speed limit, if bus drivers are leaving a bus stop, the side of the road or moving out of a bus lane, other drivers must give way to the bus.
The bus driver must indicate their intention to move for at least three seconds, giving other drivers time to react and bus drivers time to check the way is clear, NZTA says.
One mooted change that did not go forward was to give councils more power to fine people for parking on grass berms.
“We also heard strong views on the proposal relating to parking on berms, which would have given councils greater powers to fine the owners of vehicles parked on berms,” Bishop said.
“After considering the feedback, we’ve decided not to proceed because it became clear the proposal wouldn’t solve the underlying problem.”
The changes are part of the Government’s overall land transport rules reform, which includes the introduction of digital drivers licences in the near future.