Cycling smart
Cycling offers you many benefits. It’s a great form of exercise, it’s an affordable way of getting around and it can help you beat the frustrations of traffic congestion. However, it does require a certain amount of skill.
If you’re not experienced at riding in traffic, take the time to build your confidence on quieter roads. Practice your skills and plan your route to make use of cycle lanes or streets with less traffic and speeds of under 50 km/h. If possible, find an experienced cycling friend or colleague to ride with.
We have some resources that can help build your cycling confidence and skills:
- Information on cyclist skills training
- The official New Zealand code for cyclists - like the road codes for motorists, the new code for cyclists is a user-friendly guide to New Zealand's traffic law as it relates to cyclists. It also includes lots of useful information on safe cycling practices.
Be aware! Motorists may not always see you
Even though you can see motorists - often they may not see you on the road. Remember to look around as you ride. Before manoeuvring, make eye contact with the oncoming driver or the driver of the car following you. Eye contact ensures that they've seen you and will be more likely to react to your signalling and accommodate your movements on the road.
You need to take even more precautions at night or in low light conditions - make sure you light up and wear hi-visibility gear.
New Zealand's road rules are designed to increase your safety. Here are some of the rules you must follow when cycling:
- Wear an approved safety helmet. Always fasten it securely, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Wear brightly coloured or reflective clothing when cycling – you'll be easier to see.
- Ride only on the road (unless you’re delivering newspapers, mail or leaflets, or there is a sign indicating the footpath is a shared pedestrian and cycle path).
- At intersections:
- follow the rules for motor vehicles, or
- get off your cycle and walk across.
- If space allows, you can ride alongside another cyclist or moped. You must not ride alongside a car, truck or other motor vehicle.
- Ride in single file if passing another vehicle.
- Give a hand signal at least three seconds before stopping or turning.
- Only carry a pillion passenger on your cycle if you have a pillion seat and footrest. If you’re carrying a child, make sure the pillion seat protects the child's legs from the wheels.
- You must not leave a cycle blocking a footpath.
- Use cycle paths or lanes, where provided.
- Ride with lights on when it’s dark (from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise) or at other times of poor visibility, eg when it’s foggy.
- Keep your cycle in good working condition.
Learn more about the rules you need to follow in The official New Zealand road code.
Safety helmets
About three-quarters of all cycling deaths are caused by head injuries. Wearing an approved safety helmet dramatically reduces the risk of a skull fracture if your head hits an object or the road, which is why the law requires you to wear one. A helmet also reduces your chance of getting concussion and protects your head from cuts and scrapes.
Find out more about helmets and other biking safety advice.
Legal requirements for your bike
- Brakes on front and back wheels (just on the back if it was made before 1 January 1988).
- A rear reflector.
- Lights must be used if cycling at night.
See more information on cycling equipment.
Using motorised cycles
If you have a motorised cycle, there are requirements for where and how you can use them. The requirements depend on the power rating of your cycle. Find out more about low-powered vehicles and the requirements that apply.
Cycling to work
Cycling to work is a great way to fit exercise into a busy day as well as saving you money and being kinder on the environment. Most people can cycle a 5-8-kilometre trip in 30 minutes. Too far to cycle? You may be able to combine cycling as one part of your commute. See more information about combining different means transport in the one trip.
Want to know more about cycling on New Zealand roads?
Find out more about:
- our planning for walking and cycling
- cycling safety statistics (Cyclist Crash Facts 2008 (PDF, 341KB, external link)).
