The Government proposes allowing children 12 and under to ride bikes on footpaths for safety. Photo / Dean Purcell
By Charlyse Tansey of RNZ
Both the previous Government and the current one kicked the can down the road on making “sensible” changes to road rules, but now the changes are back on the agenda.
Every day, across the country, kids break the law by riding their bikes on the footpath.
Every now and again they might get a growling from a grumpy passer-by, but for the most part, Kiwis recognise that it’s a safer alternative to a child riding where they’re technically supposed to - in a cycle path, or on the road.
“I think most parents who have got kids riding their bikes will probably be doing it on the footpath,” director of Greater Auckland Matt Lowrie said.
But now, the Government has proposed changes to road rules that would mean children 12 and under are free to ride where it’s safest - on the footpath.
In a press release, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the changes were aimed at “fixing the basics” for big and small forms of transport.
They come in two packages with the first including:
The second package relates to heavy vehicles.
This article is focused on the first package and what it means for drivers, riders and pedestrians.
These changes aren’t a new concept.
National announced similar rules in 2025 and the previous Labour Government proposed changes to footpath rules in 2020.
Matt Lowrie, who is an avid cyclist, said these changes had been a long time coming.
“A lot of these are quite common sense changes and so the government are now getting back to it again and looking to get them approved.”
New Zealand director of road safety charity Brake, Caroline Perry, said the organisation welcomed the changes, but would like clearer guidance on some aspects.
“There are some small parts to it that we would like some clarification on in terms of things like children up to the age of 12 being able to cycle on footpaths. What about their parents or guardians?”
Currently, e-scooters are allowed to ride on the footpath and the road, but it’s illegal to ride in the cycle lanes, but this would change under new rules.
“In legislation, only bikes can be on cycle lanes, whereas actually in terms of the speed that e-scooters are generally going, they actually match more appropriately the speeds that are on the cycle lanes, so that makes sense that e-scooters could use those lanes rather than footpaths,” Perry said.
The proposed change to this rule could help improve safety for e-scooter riders - especially important with e-scooter-related ACC claims on the rise.
Between 2022 and 2025, new ACC claims involving e-scooters increased by 55% across all age groups.
Young people under the age of 25 made up close to half of ACC claims between the beginning of 2026 and early February.
Perry said more could be done to minimise riding risks.
“We need more investment in infrastructure, particularly for active modes.
“Part of making it safer to walk and cycle is to have more of those dedicated facilities for them such as bike lanes.”
Despite all the negative commentary that can come with e-scooters, Lowrie says the positives do outweigh the negatives.
“What e-scooters do is open up the first mile, last mile connection.
“E-scooters can really help with addressing those issues and making public transport - walking, cycling - more attractive and [allowing people to] get around our city easier, and often faster.”
These proposed road rules are currently open for consultation and close on March 25.
– RNZ