Safer Cycling Foundation

10/09/2026

This becomes Law 1st October this year

10/09/2026

New Zealand is introducing four major road rule changes starting 1 October 2026 under the Land Transport Rules Reform programme.

17/05/2023

Why we cycle with traffic - not against it

Cycling in New Zealand offers a multitude of benefits to individuals and the environment. When it comes to cycling on the roads, one important principle to follow is to ride with traffic flow rather than against it. These are the reasons we choose to bike with traffic in New Zealand; for safety, harmony and a shared responsibility between cyclists and motorists.

Ensuring Safety for All Road Users:
When cyclists ride in the same direction as traffic, it minimises the potential for confusion and reduces the risk of accidents. By following the flow of traffic, cyclists are more visible to drivers, allowing motorists to anticipate their movements and respond accordingly. This simple practice fosters a safer and more predictable environment, reducing the likelihood of collisions and promoting harmony between all road users.

Improved Predictability and Communication:
Biking with traffic enables better predictability and communication between cyclists and motorists. When cyclists travel in the same direction as vehicles, it becomes easier for them to signal their intentions, such as turning or changing lanes, helping motorists anticipate and accommodate cyclists' movements, contributing to a smoother and more harmonious flow of traffic. By adhering to the principle of riding with traffic, cyclists can actively participate in creating a safer and more predictable road environment.

Utilising Road Infrastructure Effectively:
New Zealand's road infrastructure is designed with the intention of accommodating traffic flow in a specific direction. When cyclists ride with traffic, they can utilise designated cycling lanes, shared paths, and road markings. This enhances the efficiency of the road system and provides further safety.

Upholding Legal Requirements:
In New Zealand, cyclists are legally obligated to ride with traffic, as stated in the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004. Following the law not only ensures the safety of cyclists but also promotes respect and harmony among all road users. Adhering to this rule establishes a clear framework for behavior on the road, fostering a culture of responsibility and accountability among cyclists and motorists alike.

Encouraging Mutual Respect and Understanding:
By cycling with traffic, cyclists can foster a culture of mutual respect and understanding between themselves and motorists. When cyclists demonstrate their commitment to road safety by adhering to traffic rules, they contribute to positive perceptions of cycling as a legitimate and valuable mode of transport. This, in turn, leads to increased respect from motorists, who recognise and appreciate cyclists' efforts to integrate harmoniously into the traffic flow. By choosing to bike with traffic, cyclists play an active role in cultivating a culture of empathy and cooperation among all road users.

Cycling with traffic on New Zealand's roads is not only a legal requirement but also a practice that prioritises safety, harmony, and the shared responsibility of all road users. By riding in the same direction as traffic, cyclists enhance their own safety while also promoting a predictable and efficient flow of vehicles.

28/04/2023

Safer Cycling Foundation is looking for moderators! If you are passionate about cycling safety and can donate as little as half an hour a week to moderate the SCF page, send us a message, we can't wait to hear from you! 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚴

28/04/2023

Governments around the world have introduced laws and to protect cyclists and make the roads safer for everyone. One of the most important of these regulations is the 1.5-meter rule, which requires drivers to leave a minimum of 1.5 meters of space when passing a cyclist on the road. According to research, close passes are a significant risk factor for cyclist fatalities, and many of these deaths could be prevented by implementing safe passing distances. New Zealand is falling behind and is yet to make this the law.

One of the most significant benefits of the 1.5-meter rule is that it reduces the risk of collisions between cyclists and motor vehicles. When a car or truck passes too close to a cyclist, the cyclist may be forced to swerve or they may lose their balance, potentially leading to a dangerous crash. By giving cyclists enough space, drivers can help to prevent accidents and injuries and ensure that everyone can share the road safely.

The 1.5-meter rule also helps to promote a culture of mutual respect and consideration on the roads. When drivers take the time to give cyclists enough space, they send a clear message that they value the safety of others and are willing to take the necessary precautions to prevent accidents. This, in turn, encourages more cyclists to feel safe and confident on the roads, which can lead to increased participation in cycling and better overall health outcomes for individuals and communities.

The 1.5-meter rule is a vital safety measure that saves the lives of cyclists every day. Ask the New Zealand Government to pass this law now 👇👇👇

Help make the 1​.​5m passing distance the law

13/04/2023

The 1.5m passing rule is a law that requires drivers to keep a minimum distance of 1.5 meters when overtaking a cyclist on the road. This law has been adopted in several countries, including Australia, France, and Germany, and has been shown to improve safety for cyclists.

There is evidence to suggest that the 1.5m passing rule has been effective in reducing the number of accidents involving cyclists. A study conducted in Queensland, Australia found that the introduction of the law was associated with a 13.6% reduction in bicycle-related hospital admissions. Similarly, a study in France found that the law was associated with a 15% reduction in cyclist fatalities.

A study conducted in Western Australia found that the introduction of the 1m passing law (a similar law to the 1.5m rule) was associated with a 30% reduction in the number of bike-related crashes in the state. The study also found that the law had increased compliance among drivers, with more than 70% of drivers reporting that they knew about the law and tried to comply with it.

A study conducted in Portugal found that the introduction of a 1.5m passing law was associated with a reduction in cyclist fatalities, from 25 in 2014 to 12 in 2015.

In New South Wales, Australia, where the 1m passing law was introduced in 2016, the number of bike-related crashes resulting in hospitalisation or death has fallen by 15%.

A study conducted by the New Zealand Transport Agency found that the introduction of the rule (it is still not a law) was associated with a 20% reduction in the number of car-bicycle crashes resulting in serious injury or death in the year after it was introduced. The study also found that the rule had been effective in changing driver behavior, with more drivers giving cyclists more space when passing them on the road. The study found that the proportion of drivers who passed cyclists with less than 1m clearance decreased from 35% before the law was introduced to 15% after its implementation. Additionally, the proportion of drivers who passed cyclists with less than 0.5m clearance decreased from 6% to 1% after the law was introduced.

So we ask, if the proof of increased safety and decreased cyclist fatalities is so evident, why has the 1.5m passing rule been made LAW?

Sign and share the petition - it's time a commitment was made to reducing the number of accidents involving people riding bikes.

Help make the 1​.​5m passing distance the law

31/03/2023

Strava Metro challenges you to replace shorter vehicle trips with 24.9 miles worth of runs, rides, or walks to reach the collective goal of a trip around the earth – 24,901 miles – this April.

Your efforts will contribute to the anonymized activity data insights that the Strava Metro team provides for free to city planners, advocacy groups and researchers. Together, we’ll all be making human-powered travel better, everywhere. Select the green Strava Metro Map Type for your challenge activities to let people know you’re cutting back on car travel.

Once we’ve hit the 24,901 miles total, everyone who participated will receive a special milestone badge, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop there!

If we’re able to rocket past our goal and collectively replace 2.49 million miles of driving with active transportation, we’ll have kept 1,006 metric tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Let’s dream big and give the planet an Earth Day gift it deserves.

Challenge Dates: April 1-30, 2023

Celebrate Earth Day by contributing to our total goal of 24,901 miles.

31/03/2023

Why are people signing our petition?

When you sign the petition at https://chng.it/6Lbjcyq7Bf it asks you why you signed. Here are some of the reasons our supporters signed:

"I've cycled all around the world and NZ has by far the worst and most dangerous / incompetent drivers. I feel more endangered on the road in NZ than in third world countries."

"I'm sick of close passes, and the people who perpetrate them, who then insist they're doing nothing wrong."

"When people choose to do the WRONG thing we have to legislate."

"I regularly cycle and experience vehicles passing me close and at speed. Traffic often puts me just a few centimeters from death or serious injury. Importantly, this is one of the main reasons more people choose not to cycle."

"I ride to work along a heavy vehicle route. It’s bloody scary, I’ve had close calls weekly and been knocked off my bike twice. There is no alternative route - so having more certainty that someone has to give some space would help a little until we may have safe cycle infrastructure sometime in the far future."

"Drivers need to respect other road users. It’s their responsibility, as the danger on the roads, to act safely. It should be a legal responsibility with penalties applied for risking other people’s lives."

"As an older woman I don’t feel safe at present on the road drivers don’t seem to take care when passing cyclists."

"I frequently ride on roads that are narrow and without shoulders. Having larger vehicles think about when and how they pass will help make the roads safer for all road users."

"Currently, it is unclear to drivers of motor vehicles what is expected of them; a statutory minimum passing distance of 1.5m would address this if publicised and included in the road code."

"Close passes from badly behaved motor vehicles are possibly the worst aspect of on-road cycling. Prescribing a fixed distance into law won't fix the problem overnight but hopefully it will allow for some proactive enforcement."

Help make the 1​.​5m passing distance the law

31/03/2023

Support safety, support change:

https://chng.it/s64KMyCJ

The Safer Cycling Foundation was formed in 2018 with the aim of working towards a better and safer cycling environment in New Zealand.

23/03/2023

We are so excited to have reached the milestone of 4000 followers! This means the world to us as the bigger and stronger our community, the more we can achieve together to make it safer to ride a bike in New Zealand!

Thank you Safer Cycling community!