Lane use rules are changing
Christchurch City Council Newsline: 28th September 2026
Government changes to the rules governing lane use will come into effect on Thursday 1st October 2026.
The four changes are intended to make transport rules safer, simpler and better suited to the ways people travel today. They are:
- All children aged 12 and under will be able to ride bikes on the footpath, along with an older rider for safety purposes – such as a parent, caregiver, teacher, or older sibling.
- People will be able to ride e-scooters in cycle lanes.
- Drivers will need to leave a minimum gap of 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists, horses and other non-vehicle road users - making it clearer and safer for all.
- Drivers will need to give way to buses pulling out of bus stops in areas where speed limits are 60km/h or less.
Christchurch City Council Head of Transport Stephen Wright says the new rules reflect how people already use the footpaths and roads.
“More people are now using different modes of transport such as bikes, scooters and buses so it makes sense to update the lane use rules.
“We will be providing extra training and information about the rule changes through our Cycle Safe skills education programme for schools,” he says.
“With a variety of transport types sharing our roads and footpaths, it’s important that people stay alert and be prepared for different road users travelling at different speeds.”
More information on the lane use rules is on the NZTA website.