02/10/2026
Today (1 October 2026) 4 new road rules have become law. Here's what they are:
The aim of the new rules is to make people’s travel safer and better reflect how people already use the roads. From today 1 October:
• Kids 12-years-old and younger can now ride their bikes on the footpath. Parents and caregivers are now also allowed to ride with them. Keep an eye out for kids on bikes when entering or leaving driveways.
• You’ll now be able to ride your e-scooter in cycle lanes. This’ll mean e-scooter riders can get to where they’re going more efficiently. The speed limit still applies to e-scooters, and we highly recommend that you wear a helmet when riding.
• There’s now a minimum passing gap of 1.5m when passing people riding bikes, horses or e-scooters that are travelling in your lane and heading in the same direction as you. This only applies to people driving motor vehicles or riding motorbikes. The 1.5m passing gap doesn’t apply to parked cars or people that are travelling in a different lane to you. If it’s not safe to pass, then you’ll need to wait and pass when it’s safe.
• Everyone is now required to give way to buses that are signalling that they’re leaving bus stops, the roadside or bus lanes on roads that’re 60km/h or less. This new rule allows for buses to safely re-enter traffic.
Earlier this year we asked for your feedback on these changes. We passed your feedback onto the Minister of Transport – there was broad support for the changes the Government proposed, and the Minister decided on the above.
We’ll keep you updated here – follow us if you aren’t already to get updates. There's also more information on our website: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driving-skills/new-lane-use-rules
