The government is considering changing the law around cycling on footpaths.
Currently, you are only allowed to cycle on the footpath if you are:
- delivering newspapers or mail, or
- you are riding a small wheeled recreational device that has a wheel diameter of less than 355 millimetres (typically tricycles or small children’s bicycles).
However, the government is getting feedback on whether to change the rules to allow people to ride bikes on the footpath.
Other laws that may be changed include a 15 km/h hour speed limit and a 75cm width limit on all wheeled transport using the footpath – including e-scooters.
Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter said many of the ideas were about bringing the law into line with how people actually used the roads.
There would be changes to the rules to let cyclists and other wheeled transport pass slow-moving vehicles on the left-hand side – allowing them to move to the front of queues of cars stopped at intersections.
They would also be allowed to ride straight ahead out of a left-turning lane.
The consultation runs until 21 April with any rules to take effect in the 2020-2021 financial year.
