新西兰政府改革交通规则：儿童可在人行道骑车，电动滑板车可使用自行车道
新西兰政府宣布一系列交通规则改革，旨在让道路更加安全、规则更加清晰，并适应现代出行方式。Chris Bishop表示，新规预计将在今年年底前通过行政命令（Order in Council）正式生效。
政府此前就改革方案公开征求意见，共收到超过6000份反馈，并根据公众意见对部分内容进行了调整。
主要变化包括：
12岁及以下儿童可合法在人行道（Footpath）骑自行车。
家长、监护人、老师或年长兄弟姐妹等成年人，可陪同儿童一起在人行道骑行，以保障儿童安全。
电动滑板车（E-scooters）将获准在自行车道（Cycle Lanes）行驶。
驾驶车辆超越自行车骑士、骑马人士等道路使用者时，必须至少保持1.5米的安全距离，统一取代此前较复杂的超车距离规定。
在限速60公里/小时或以下的道路上，驾驶员必须礼让正在驶离公交车站的公交车。
同时还将对交通标志、交通信号及道路标线等技术性规则进行更新。
政府放弃草坪停车处罚方案
政府原计划赋予地方议会更大权力，对停放在路边草坪（berms）上的车辆进行罚款。但由于公众普遍认为该措施无法解决根本问题，政府决定不再推进这一改革。
部长表示
Chris Bishop表示，公众反馈最强烈的意见之一是：“如果允许孩子在人行道骑车，但陪同的家长仍必须骑在机动车道上，这并不能真正保障儿童安全。”
因此，政府决定允许成年人陪同儿童在人行道骑行，在保障儿童学习骑车安全的同时，也兼顾行人的安全。
改革目标
此次改革属于新西兰政府《陆路交通规则改革计划》（Land Transport Rules Reform Programme）的一部分，目标包括：
提升道路安全；
简化交通规则；
减少不必要的行政负担；
建立更现代化、更高效率的交通运输体系。
新规将通过行政命令（Order in Council）实施，无需重新通过完整的国会立法程序，预计将在2026年底前正式生效。
Children will legally be able to ride bikes on footpaths with a grown up alongside them, and e-scooters will be allowed in cycle lanes, under a package of practical transport rule changes agreed by the Government, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“Earlier year we asked New Zealanders for their views on a range of changes designed to make our transport rules safer, simpler, and better suited to the way people travel today,” Mr Bishop says.
“More than 6,000 people took the time to have their say. We’ve listened carefully to that feedback and, in some cases, changed our proposals as a result.
“One of the strongest messages we heard was that allowing children to ride on footpaths only solves half the problem if the grown up riding with them still has to use the road.
“That’s why we’ve adapted the proposal to allow parents and caregivers to ride alongside children on the footpath.
“All children aged 12 and under will be permitted to ride on the footpath, and they can be accompanied by an older rider – such as a parent, caregiver, teacher, or older sibling – for safety purposes.
“Keeping kids safe while they’re learning to ride is common sense. This change strikes the right balance between protecting young cyclists and ensuring footpaths remain safe for everyone who uses them.”
Following feedback from road users, the Government has also simplified the new mandatory overtaking-gap rule for vehicles passing cyclists, horse riders and other road users.
“Instead of different distances in different circumstances, drivers will be required to leave a minimum gap of 1.5 metres when overtaking. That’s clearer for drivers and safer for everyone.”
Other agreed changes include:
People will be able to ride e-scooters in cycle lanes.
Drivers will have to give way to buses leaving bus stops in areas where speed limits are 60km/h or less.
Minor and technical changes relating to traffic control devices, including road signs, signals and markings.
“We also heard strong views on the proposal relating to parking on berms, which would have given councils greater powers to fine the owners of vehicles parked on berms. After considering the feedback, we’ve decided not to proceed because it became clear the proposal wouldn’t solve the underlying problem.
“This is exactly what consultation should achieve. We’ve taken practical proposals, listened to New Zealanders, and refined them to get a better result.
“These changes are about fixing the basics: safer streets, clearer rules, and less bureaucracy getting in the way of everyday travel.”
The new rules are expected to come into effect before the end of the year following Orders in Council.
Notes to editor
These changes are part of the Government’s Land Transport Rules Reform programme, which is focused on modernising outdated rules, reducing red tape, and supporting a safer, more productive transport system.
An Order in Council is a type of secondary legislation made by the executive branch of government without needing to pass a full Act through Parliament.
