Riding bikes near pedestrians
When riding a bike near pedestrians, particular care must be taken to keep everyone safe. Some special rules apply for people riding bikes.
Riding on a footpath
Generally, bicycle riders must not ride on a footpath. However, children under the age of 16 years can ride on the footpath unless there is a NO BICYCLES sign.
Bicycle riders aged 16 years and over must not ride on a footpath unless they are:
- an adult supervising a child under the age of 16
- accompanying a child under the age of 16 where all children are under the supervision of an adult
- a postal worker riding a bicycle in the course of their work duties
- a rider carrying a child under 10 as a passenger
- a rider with a medical condition who is carrying a medical certificate that states a medical practitioner believes the rider should be allowed to ride on the footpath
- a rider accompanying a rider with a medical condition.
Riding on a pedestrian crossing
Bicycle riders must dismount and walk across pedestrian crossings except where bicycle crossing lights are installed.
At a red bicycle crossing light:
- you must stop before the crossing and only proceed if the bicycle crossing light changes to green or is not showing red.
At a green bicycle crossing light:
- you may proceed over the crossing area. In addition to bicycle crossing signals, you must obey any traffic signals or signs, as would other road users.
Shared paths and footpaths
Shared paths are paths designed for pedestrian and bicycle use. Shared paths are signposted and marked so you can tell if you are meant to share the path with pedestrians.
When riding on a shared path, you must keep to the left and give way to pedestrians.
You should also adjust your speed to suit the environment.
As a bicycle rider, you must overtake on the right-hand side.
Be particularly careful around young children, older pedestrians, and animals.
School zones and school buses
School zones are signposted and operate outside schools in the morning (8am through to 9.30am) and in the afternoon (2.30pm through to 4pm) during school term time. School zones also apply during school development days, and a small number of school zones have different operating hours.
As a road user, you are required to give way to children crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing. You should also follow the direction of a pedestrian crossing supervisor using the handheld stop/slow sign. Be wary of car doors opening and other potential hazards like children running across the road.
Buses can pose a hazard to bicycle riders. Buses may pull out at any time in front of you, so allow yourself plenty of clearance and move quickly.
You must give way to a bus that is attempting to merge into traffic in accordance with the law.