Road Safety Advocates Welcome Transport Rule Changes, Call for Strong Education and Enforcement

Wairarapa Road Safety Council says proposed changes reflect a welcome shift toward vulnerability-focused transport — but warns the rules alone won't save lives without public education, driver awareness, and sustained enforcement.

Children on Footpaths: A Positive Step Grounded in Developmental Science

Wairarapa Road Safety Council Projects Coordinator Holly Hullena says the proposal to allow children under 12 to ride bikes on footpaths is a sound, evidence-based move.

"We can't expect children to operate in a traffic system designed for adults. Their brains and vision simply aren't there yet," says Ms Hullena.

Children's peripheral vision is still developing, limiting their ability to detect vehicles approaching from the side. Their capacity to judge speed and distance is also significantly lower than adults, and hazard anticipation is still forming. Separating children from live traffic — particularly on roads with 50 km/h and higher speed limits — reduces their exposure to high-energy crashes where speed is the primary determinant of survival.

However, Ms Hullena cautions that footpaths carry their own risks. Education for children and caregivers is essential, covering:

•       Vehicles reversing from driveways

•       Cars turning across footpaths at intersections

•       Pedestrians — particularly elderly people or those with mobility challenges

•       Dogs and other unpredictable hazards

"Footpaths are safer than roads for children — but only if we teach them to slow down near driveways and always expect a vehicle," she says. Driver awareness is equally critical: motorists must actively anticipate children cycling across vehicle crossings and intersections.

Mandatory Passing Gaps: Codifying What Should Already Be Courtesy

The proposed minimum passing distances — 1 metre under 60 km/h and 1.5 metres above 60 km/h — align with established international road safety best practice.

"A safe passing gap isn't courtesy — it's crash prevention," says Ms Hullena.

These distances account for wind turbulence from passing vehicles, rider wobble, and human error. Codifying them in law removes ambiguity and reinforces that cyclists and horse riders are legitimate road users entitled to space.

Ms Hullena notes the rules alone won't eliminate risk, but combined with enforcement and public education, they should reduce close-pass incidents — which are often direct precursors to serious crashes. The safety benefits may be particularly significant in rural areas, where speeds are higher and road shoulders are narrower.

E-Scooter Helmets: Protecting Brains, Protecting Families

Wairarapa Road Safety Council strongly supports mandatory helmet use for e-scooter riders and believes it should be non-negotiable.

"When a rider comes off an e-scooter, it's often sudden and forward. The head is frequently the first point of impact," says Ms Hullena.

Unlike cyclists, many e-scooter riders are inexperienced, and small wheels are highly sensitive to road surface changes. Falls can happen without warning. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury — and the consequences of brain injury extend far beyond the individual.

"A brain injury doesn't just change one life — it reshapes entire families," says Ms Hullena. "Recovery can involve cognitive impairment, personality changes, loss of employment, long-term rehabilitation, and ongoing care needs."

There is also a significant social and economic cost: traumatic brain injuries create long-term demand on the health system, ACC, and communities. If helmet requirements are strengthened, the Council urges this be supported with public education, school-based safety messaging, and clear guidance for shared e-scooter operators.

High-Powered E-Scooters: Speed Without Training Is a Predictable Hazard

Devices capable of extreme speeds — particularly those exceeding 300W and approaching 100 km/h — raise serious safety concerns for all road users.

"Speed without training and protection is a predictable injury pathway," Ms Hullena says.

Devices capable of near-motorcycle speeds but operating without licensing, registration, protective equipment standards, or formal rider training create significant risk — not only for riders, but for pedestrians and cyclists sharing the same infrastructure. Clear regulatory definitions, enforcement, and public awareness are critical to preventing escalating harm.

The Bigger Picture: Vulnerability Must Drive Policy

Ms Hullena says the proposals reflect a meaningful shift in how New Zealand is thinking about transport safety.

"Road safety isn't about who is legally right — it's about who is physically exposed."

Implemented alongside strong education, enforcement, and continued infrastructure investment, these changes have real potential to reduce serious harm — particularly among children and other vulnerable road users across New Zealand.

The Council highlights the need for consistent public communication during any transition to new rules, clear signage, pedestrian priority messaging on footpaths, and driver education around the increased likelihood of encountering children cycling across driveways and intersections.

ENDS

For media enquiries, contact:

Holly Hullena

Projects Coordinator, Wairarapa Road Safety Council

REAP House, 340 Queen Street, Masterton 5810

Phone: 06 377 1379 Ext 704

Website: www.wairsc.org.nz

Available Monday–Friday, 8:30am–3:00pm

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