What they mean for cyclists:

New road rules are coming into effect on 27 February 05 including nationally consistent rules on who can use special vehicle lanes (such as cycle and bus lanes).

Make sure you're up to date with the changes which affect you ...

Cycle and other special vehicle lanes (such as cycle and bus lanes)

• Only cyclists can use cycle lanes.
• Cyclists may use bus lanes (or transit lanes) unless a sign says otherwise. If a motorist needs to cross a cycle or bus lane in order to turn or park clear of the lane, they must give way to any cyclists and other vehicles entitled to use the lane.
• You must not stop or park your cycle in a special vehicle lane unless stopping is permitted by signs or markings.

Cycle paths

• Cyclists are no longer legally required to leave the roadway to use a cycle path, unless a sign says otherwise.
• Cycle paths may also be used by pedestrians.

Cycle limit lines

• Limit lines are the white lines that indicate where motorists should stop at an intersection. The rule allows cyclists to wait safely at a cycle limit line (marked in front of a limit line) so they can be seen easily by other motorists and can get a head start when the traffic lights turn green.

   

Speed limits

• Up until now, speed limits only applied to drivers of motor vehicles. From 27 February 05, they will apply to all vehicles including cyclists.

Cycle helmets

• A person in a trailer being towed by a bicycle must wear a helmet.

Riding abreast

• Cyclists may still ride up to two abreast, and must still return to single file while overtaking another vehicle, which now includes a parked vehicle.
• In a controlled race situation, cyclists are exempt from the legal requirement to ride no more than two abreast.

   

Cycle lights

• Cyclists riding at night must use one or two substantially white or amber headlamps.
• If there is one headlamp, it may be steady or flashing (previously it was only allowed to be steady).
• If two headlamps are used, only one may be flashing.
• Cyclists may now use reflective clothing instead of pedal reflectors.
• A rear reflector and rear red steady or flashing light are still required.

  Parking on footpaths or cycle paths

  • You may park a cycle, mobility device and wheeled recreational device (eg scooter) on footpath or cycle path unless there is a sign that says otherwise. However, you must make sure that it is not in the way of other users of the footpath or cycle path.

    Opening car doors

    • It will be illegal to cause a hazard by leaving a door of a motor vehicle open (it is already against the law to cause a hazard when opening or closing a door).

       

Shared zones

• In a place where vehicles and pedestrians are expected to share the same space, (including public car parks and malls) cyclists and other vehicles are legally required to give way to pedestrians. However, pedestrians are required to not unnecessarily block the path of the cyclists or other vehicles.

   

For more information visit www.landtransport.govt.nz or call 0800 822 422.