New Zealand Information
Bicycling Tips and Advice

This is your New Zealand information bicycling guide for Cycling the roads and paths of these islands. Here are the New Zealand facts to keep you company for a stress free bike touring holiday.

Now some of you may well have heard it all before but just in case New Zealand information on bikes and cyclists is new then read on…

As a Cyclist you share the road with vehicle faster and bigger than you. They have rules to follow and therefore so do you.

Important New Zealand information on bicycling and the rules to follow

• Where there is a cycle path, you may ride on the cycle path or on the road. Where there is no cycle path, you must ride on the road and keep as far left as you safely can.

• You can only ride on the footpath if you're delivering newspapers, mail or leaflets not if you’re enjoying your New Zealand vacations!

• You may use a bus lane, as long as there isn't a sign forbidding this.

• A New Zealand travel tip if you’re riding with other cyclists is don't ride more than two abreast. In other words don’t hog the road. Do the whole single file thing when overtaking too.

• Use a clear arm signal if you intend to turn, reduce your speed or stop.

• At intersections (crossroads) follow the same road rules as motor vehicles. If in doubt get off and walk your bike.

• You can tow a trailer with your bicycle.

• If you carry a load it must be secure, must not touch the ground and mustn't extend more than one metre in front of or behind the wheels, or half a metre (50 cm) on either side (from the centre of the cycle).

Important New Zealand information on bicycling and wearing cycle helmets

One crucial rule to remember

It's compulsory for all cyclists on New Zealand roads to wear cycle helmets.

Please note that if a police officer stops you and asks to inspect your helmet, you must give it to them. There a joke in there somewhere I’m sure but we’ll leave it for now…

Important New Zealand information on bicycling for night riding

No not a reprise of that great TV show with David Hasselhoff and his trusty car Kit but the more important issue of riding during the hours of darkness.

You will need to

• have working cycle lights fitted

• switch your cycle lights on (well, duh)

• and wear reflective material (if you don't have pedal reflectors).

• Any period of time between half an hour after sunset on one day and half an hour before sunrise on the next day, or

• Any other time when there isn't sufficient daylight for a person or vehicle to be clearly visible at a distance of 100 metres.

Important New Zealand information on bicycling for courtesy on the road

Be considerate to other road users. If the road is narrow, check that you are not slowing the traffic flow, and let motor vehicles pass as soon as it's safe.

Invest in a mirror so you can see traffic approaching from your rear.

Important New Zealand facts on cyclists equipment

Brakes

Your cycle must have good brakes on the front and back wheels. (If the cycle was made before 1 January 1988, the law only requires a brake on the back wheel.)

Reflectors

You must have a rear reflector that is visible from a distance of 100 metres when light shines on it.

You may have yellow or amber pedal reflectors on the forward and rearward-facing surfaces of each pedal.

Equipment you need in the hours of darkness

If you want to ride your cycle on the road during the hours of darkness, it must have:

• one or two white or amber headlights that can be seen from a distance of 100 metres. (One of these headlights may flash)

• a red rear-facing light that can be seen from a distance of 100 metres. (This may be steady or flashing.)

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