Drivers in New Zealand must now leave at least 1.5 metres when they pass a cyclist, and they must give way to buses pulling out from stops on slower roads. Both are among four new road rules that took effect today, 1 October 2026.
The changes also let children aged 12 and under ride bikes on the footpath, with a parent or caregiver allowed to ride alongside them, and let e-scooter riders use cycle lanes for the first time. Stuff reported this morning that the rules are designed to make travel safer and reflect how people already use the roads.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop confirmed the package in a July announcement, after the NZ Transport Agency ran a public consultation earlier in the year. The rules form part of the Government’s Land Transport Rules Reform programme.
The passing rule is likely to be the one most drivers notice. It applies when overtaking cyclists, horse riders, pedestrians and anyone else on the road who is not driving a motor vehicle and is travelling in the same direction in the same lane. The original proposal set different gaps for different circumstances, but the Government settled on a single figure.
“Instead of different distances in different circumstances, drivers will be required to leave a minimum gap of 1.5 metres when overtaking,” Bishop said, as reported by RNZ. “That’s clearer for drivers and safer for everyone.”
The transport agency’s advice to drivers is blunt. “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.”
The single 1.5 metre gap was something many councils had asked for. The NZTA summary of submissions records that eight councils, including Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown Lakes, backed one universal gap regardless of the speed limit. Overall, 68 per cent of the 6,006 people who commented on the passing proposal supported it and 23 per cent did not. Horse rider groups wanted a wider 2 metre gap, while trucking operators warned that heavy vehicles could be stuck behind cyclists for long stretches of narrow rural road.
The footpath change had the widest support of the four. The consultation drew 6,050 submissions in total, and 78 per cent of those who answered the footpath question agreed that children aged 12 and under should be allowed to ride there. The original plan covered children only, but that was widened after feedback that adults supervising young riders were being forced onto the road beside 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. “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.”
Not everyone is convinced. Disability and blind advocacy groups were among the 14 per cent of submitters who opposed footpath riding, according to the NZTA summary, and walking groups such as Living Streets Aotearoa said adults riding with children should be limited to supervision at slow speeds. About 15 per cent of submitters raised concerns about poor visibility at driveways, where cars backing out may not expect a bike on the footpath.
The bus rule applies on roads with a speed limit of 60km/h or less. Drivers must give way to a bus leaving a stop, the roadside or a bus lane, provided the bus driver has indicated for at least three seconds. 1News reported that official documents noted around half of people already believed this was a legal requirement, even though it was not. The proposal was the most divisive of the four that went ahead, with 61 per cent support and 31 per cent opposed, including some cycling groups.
E-scooters that are not classed as motor vehicles can now legally use cycle lanes. Until today, riding one in a cycle lane was against the rules. It drew 81 per cent support in consultation, with walking and disability groups among those in favour, as it keeps scooters off busy footpaths. The shift comes after a trauma study found e-scooter riders suffer far more brain injuries than motorcyclists.
One proposal did not make the cut. The Government had consulted on giving councils more power to fine the owners of vehicles parked on grass berms, but only 32 per cent of submitters supported it. “After considering the feedback, we’ve decided not to proceed because it became clear the proposal wouldn’t solve the underlying problem,” Bishop said in July.
Bishop said the package was about fixing the basics, with safer streets, clearer rules and less bureaucracy getting in the way of everyday travel.
The road rules are part of a busy month of law changes. From 9 October, lifejackets become compulsory on recreational boats up to 6 metres long when they are under way, and from today most visitor and transit visa applications must be lodged online. NEWS WIRE first reported the footpath and e-scooter decisions when they were confirmed in July.
Do you think a 1.5 metre passing gap will make New Zealand roads safer for cyclists, and should adults be riding on the footpath at all? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
This article was written by AI, briefed to report the facts, hopefully without some of the bias people bring to the job 🙂
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