![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4407399877425085280374979203095939245121648n-1024x773.jpg\")
Close pass operation (Police Scotland Greater Glasgow)\u00a0<\/p>\n
This week, New Zealand\u2019s government announced a package of transport policy changes, which if passed would allow children under 12 to cycle on the pavement (currently banned in New Zealand), permit e-scooter users to ride in bike lanes, and make it clear that bus drivers have priority when pulling out of stops.<\/p>\n
The proposed road safety overhaul would also introduce a maximum $3,000 penalty for motorists found guilty of close passing people on bikes or horse riders, based on a mandatory passing gap of one to 1.5m depending on speed.<\/p>\n
Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced on Wednesday that a public consultation had opened on the changes, made under the Land Transport Rules Reform programme, which he claimed would help \u201cfix the basics\u201d of New Zealand\u2019s transport system.<\/p>\n
Bishop said the changes would address common areas of confusion, including \u201ca parent unsure whether their 10-year-old is allowed to ride their bike on the footpath, a driver not clear how much space to give a cyclist, an e-scooter rider not sure if they can use the cycle lane, a bus stuck waiting to pull back into traffic, or a truck operator tied up in paperwork just to move an empty trailer between depots\u201d.<\/p>\n
> \u201cMost drivers don\u2019t know the rules\u201d: Cyclist left with broken jaw as close passing motorist forces her into pothole before fleeing scene<\/a><\/p>\n However, the decision to make one metre the minimum distance for overtakes committed at up to 59kph has been criticised by New Zealand\u2019s Green Party, who argue that 1.5m should the absolute minimum safe passing distance.<\/p>\n According to data from New Zealand\u2019s Ministry of Transport, the survival rate for cyclists involved in crashes at 50kph is 55 per cent. This rises to 95 per cent if the motorist involved is driving at 32kph.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone who thinks that one metre is suitable has never been on a bike that\u2019s been overtaken by a logging truck,\u201d Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said in response to the proposals.<\/p>\n \u201c1.5 metres reduces the dangerous impact of slipstream effects and takes into account the fact that bikes often wobble when they\u2019re being overtaken by much bigger, intimidating vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n > \u201cWe are fair game for crazy drivers\u201d: Cyclist says \u201cI need to cycle with a police officer from now on\u201d after bike camera footage of close passes rejected as \u201cinsufficient evidence\u201d due to lack of witness<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking to The Post<\/a>, a spokesperson for Bishop insisted that the government\u2019s proposed rule balanced safety with \u201cthe efficient use of the roads\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThese minimum passing distances were considered most appropriate because they account for the safety of other road users but also seek to enable passing where it is safe and practical to do so,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n \u201cTransport officials advise that the 1 metre and 1.5 metre distances are informed by survey data collected in previous research around rider comfort, as well as safe distance from the lateral pull force of air from a vehicle passing (predicted to be one metre in a 50kph).<\/p>\n \u201cWhile greater minimum passing distances were looked at, the Ministry of Transport considered these options to be impractical and to have a negative impact on the efficient use of roads.\u201d<\/p>\n The spokesperson added that the rules were now subject to a public consultation and that the government was open to changes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are fixing the basics by making sure the rules are clear, practical, and reflect how people actually use our roads every day,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is about safer school rides, smoother bus trips, clearer guidance for drivers, and fewer compliance headaches for truck operators.\u201d<\/p>\n While close passes aren\u2019t, in their own right, a criminal offence in the UK (the Highway Code states<\/a> that drivers \u2018should\u2019, not \u2018must\u2019, leave at least 1.5m when overtaking at speeds of up to 30mph), drivers who pass cyclists too closely can be found guilty of careless or dangerous driving.<\/p>\n![\"Pickup](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/pickup-driver-chases-cyclist-after-close-pass-jay-mcserk-twitter.png\")
Pickup driver chases cyclist after close pass (Jay McSerk, Twitter)\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"West](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/west-midlands-police-close-pass-operation-mark-hodson-and-steve-hudson-1024x651.jpg\")
West Midlands Police close pass operation Mark Hodson and Steve Hudson (Image Credit: West Midlands Police)<\/p>\n