The Government has confirmed four upcoming changes to New Zealand road rules following a public consultation process earlier this year, aiming to make everyday travel safer and better align traffic laws with how people already use the roads.
Under the new regulations, children up to 12 years old will be legally permitted to ride their bicycles on footpaths, and parents or caregivers will be allowed to ride alongside them.
Current laws technically prohibit footpath cycling for anyone on a standard bicycle, a rule that officials acknowledge is regularly bypassed by families seeking safety.
Another change will allow e-scooter riders to use designated cycle lanes, resolving a long-standing grey area.
Drivers will also be required to maintain a minimum passing distance of 1.5 metres when overtaking other road users, such as cyclists or e-scooters, whenever it is safe and practical to do so.
Public transport will benefit from a fourth rule change. It requires all drivers to give way to buses merging back into traffic from bus stops on roads with speed limits of 60km/h or less.
This change is expected to reduce delays for commuters on local services.
Public feedback collected during February and March heavily influenced the final decision.
While there was broad support for the four approved updates, a fifth proposal regarding berm parking was abandoned.
The Government had initially suggested clarifying the signage requirements needed to enforce parking restrictions on grassy berms, but the Minister of Transport dropped the idea following mixed feedback and low public support.
Officials are currently drafting amendments to the Land Transport Rules to incorporate the updates.
Subject to final Cabinet approval, the four new regulations are expected to come into effect later this year.
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