New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust

09/10/2026

Yes!!!

Fantastic messaging Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge - Pass Wide and Slow when you see a person on foot, bike or horseback.

Good luck to all competitors training at the moment for next months round the lake event.

The New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust is a charity competitors can choose to support when registering, and any donation made goes directly to fund the creation of a Road Safety Incidents Reporting App being developed by one of the Trust’s talented trustees!

This app will record on road behaviour data that affects our vulnerable road using community, and will be shared with authorities if they wish, as well as help to inform the Trust’s advocacy and targeted road safety messaging.

A little more room for riders 🚴↔️🚗

With plenty of cyclists out clocking up the training Ks ahead of the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge, here’s a timely reminder about a new road rule now in place.

Drivers must leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists and other vulnerable road users.

Whether you’re behind the handlebars or behind the wheel, let’s look out for each other out there.

Slow down. Pass wide. Give cyclists space. 💙

09/10/2026

‼️ATTN DRIVERS - NEW PASSING LAW‼️

When you’re behind the wheel

🛻 🚗 🚐 🏍️ min 1.5m 🏃‍♀️ 🚲 🐎

1. NZ roads require you to give people on foot, bicycle, or horse, any NON-MOTORISED road user a MINIMUM of 1.5m SPACE when passing them.

2. Whilst a reduction in speed isn’t law, drivers have a duty of care to pass safely. Please reduce your speed. The metal casing of a vehicle offers you protection, whilst a vulnerable road user relies on your safe choices.

Look out for each other and do the right thing.

🙏 New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust

08/10/2026

👏

With horses and riders regularly sharing our roads, it's important that everyone plays their part in keeping them safe! 🚘🏇

From 1 October 2026, drivers must leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking horse riders and other non-motorised road users - It’s now the law. For many racehorses, crossing or travelling along public roads is part of their daily routine, particularly in the early hours of the morning as they make their way to and from trackwork.

When passing a horse, remember:
✅ Slow down and give them plenty of room.
✅ Allow at least 2 metres of space where possible, as encouraged by the New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust.
✅ Be patient and wait until it's safe to overtake.
✅ Avoid sounding your horn or revving your engine, which could startle the horse.

A little patience and extra space can make all the difference. Help spread the word and keep our horses, riders and everyone sharing our roads safe! 🐎❤️

Find out more from the New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust 👉https://buff.ly/LnbusaH

Apprentice Jockey Elen Nicholas recently spoke to the Waipa District Council on road safety around horses 👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18R1ykcYrR/

07/10/2026

SENTENCING FOR DRIVER WHO HIT & KILLED A CYCLIST

“A learner driver travelling at an “excessive speed” in a 50 km/h area honked his horn at a cyclist before knocking him off his bike and killing him, a court has heard.

Tyson Delaney Stechman, who was 20 at the time, then accelerated to about 100km/h while driving away from Christchurch man Ian Huntsman, later denying to police that he had hit the 60-year-old multisport athlete.”

Charged with dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop to ascertain injury, the driver will be sentenced on October 23.

Tyson Stechman did not stop and check on the Christchurch cyclist after the incident.

06/10/2026

Waipā District Council made a commitment to improve road safety around WTR at Cambridge Racecourse and has done it again, releasing this informative chat with a local jockey.

The signs you see in the video - designed by the council and put up in August.

It follows years of rider concern and near misses that culminated into action in March following an incident where a racehorse was hit and PTS due to its injury.

The local authority responded to the racing industry’s safety concerns and investigated.

A commitment to raising awareness and education in community about how to safely interact with horse traffic and the need to pass horses WIDE & SLOW is appreciated by us all.

Thank you

Local Government New Zealand
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Wellington
Waikato Police
New Zealand Police

05/10/2026

🚶‍♀️ FOOTPATH INCIDENT DATA 🚶‍♂️

Living Streets Aotearoa is collecting data on pedestrian incidents on the footpath.

This data will be used to inform monitoring of the rule change that allows 12-years and under to cycle on the footpath.

Here is the form

https://forms.gle/H7kQ8i9w2YJciuWJ8

Cycle groups are pumped at law changes coming into effect today that aim to improve safety for non motorists on the roads and footpaths.

04/10/2026

⚠️TEST CASE ON NEW PASSING LAW⚠️

This close pass has been filed with New Zealand Police.

It happened two days after a law was introduced in New Zealand that requires drivers to give a minimum of 1.5m space when passing non-motorised road users.

For clarity this is anyone on foot (pedestrians), bicycle or a horse, all vulnerable road users.

The New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust will follow this complaint to observe the outcome.

02/10/2026

🧡 PASS WIDE & SLOW 🧡

Road Safety ambassadors Toffee and Ted are what you’d describe as ‘good’ on the road.

However as a rider, I am always on the look out for anything that may upset my horse. Keeping Toffee calm means I am safe, and people around me too.

I rely on drivers and the choices they make.

Please

✅ slow down. We listen to your engine and this tells us immediately if we have a careful driver.

✅ give at least 2m space when passing. Space and speed are critical to a safe pass.

✅ we are managing hazards outside of your car. Our hand signals will tell you if we need your support to stop.

It’s now law to give non-motorised road users a minimum 1.5m space when passing. And this is because too many people are being injured or killed whilst on foot, bike or on a horse.

Look out for one another.

🧡 PASS WIDE & SLOW 🧡

New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust chair, Julia

01/10/2026

❤️ GIVING SPACE SAVES LIVES ❤️

As a driver on New Zealand roads, a new LAW requires you to give a minimum of 1.5m space when passing non-motorised road users.

For the safety of children, older people and everyone else in between, when you see someone on foot, bicycle or riding a horse - please SLOW DOWN and PASS WIDE.

✅ give 2m when passing a horse. Safer.

✅ a safe pass may mean waiting to overtake.

✅ a safe pass may mean crossing the centre line.

We see you and we thank you.

New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust

01/10/2026

👏

New law. Now let’s turn it into learning.

Road safety is a shared responsibility, and Pony Club is all about giving our riders the skills and knowledge to keep themselves and their horses safe.

Coaches and parents, not sure where to start? We’ve got the resources for you.

Our Riding on the Road Achievement Badge covers safe road riding, hand signals, dos and don’ts, and practical activities.

Why not make road safety part of your next rally and earn a badge along the way?

Learn it. Practise it. Use it.



A quick clarification: NZPCA has had no role in developing or making decisions around this legislation. Our role is to help share the information with the equestrian community and wider public.