Making cycling a safer and more attractive transport choice is a key priority for the Transport Agency. We are committed to improving the safety of all road users and to encourage more people to get about by bike.
New research underway
E-bikes and low powered vehicles
Research is currently underway on e-bike and low-powered vehicles’ standards and safety. This will consider any potential changes to the rules for electric bicycles and other low-powered vehicles and devices and is expected to be completed by mid 2017.
Intersection safety
The AA and NZTA are jointly funding research, beginning in February 2017, into ways to make intersections safer and more comfortable for cyclists and motorists. A pilot study will begin in February 2017.
This innovative research will pilot a new methodology that will take video footage at peak hours from four urban intersections – two each in Wellington and Auckland. They will be intersections with high numbers of cyclists and vehicle movements so that the number of interactions is maximised.
By analysing the interactions we can start to better understand how to educate motorists and cyclists, and design intersections to make them safer and more comfortable for all users.
New cycling safety research
Three investigative research projects have been completed. They are recommendations within the Cycling Safety Panel Report and actions in the Transport Agency’s Cycling Safety Action Plan: Making Cycling Safer and More Attractive . The action plan outlines the work we are doing to deliver on the Cycling Safety Panel recommendations.
Investigating minimum overtaking gaps in NZ
The NZ Transport Agency engaged Opus Research to investigate the feasibility and possible implications of introducing mandatory minimum overtaking gaps for cyclists, together with a behaviour change programme encouraging motorists to give a safe overtaking gap when passing people on bikes.
The trialling of mandatory minimum overtaking distances for motor vehicles overtaking cyclists was a key recommendation of the New Zealand Cycle Safety Panel to develop practical and innovative recommendations for how central and local government can work together to make cycling a safer transport option for all road users.
The Opus research will help to inform decisions on whether to proceed with a trial of mandatory minimum overtaking distances. This investigation will increase our understanding of what safe passing distances are, and how they could be trialled.
Download the full report, conducted by Opus Research
Investigating footpath cycling
As part of a wider review of cycling-related road user rules, the NZ Transport Agency engaged Abley Transportation Consultants and Mackie Research to undertake research to support potential options for possible footpath cycling law changes.
Many younger cyclists do not know it is illegal to ride on the footpath and almost all cyclists will use the footpath, to a greater or lesser extent, often as the only feasible option in response to road environments that seem unsafe. There are risks however associated with footpath cycling for both pedestrians and cyclists. With the current laws, cycle skills trainers and others cannot openly reinforce safe footpath cycling. In addition, there is no technical basis for the current footpath cycling rule, which is based on wheel diameter. For many people, it is unclear how the rule should be applied.
The goal of the research was not to prescribe new footpath rules but rather to outline the considerations and evidence for footpath cycling rule options.
Download the full report, conducted by Abley Transportation Consultants and Mackie Research
Investigating road user rules for people walking and cycling
The NZ Transport Agency engaged MWH and ViaStrada to investigate options for amendments to several give-way related road user rules.
Around half of all urban cycling injuries occur at intersections. Providing safe and convenient cycling infrastructure through intersections can be challenging. The Transport Agency commissioned research into several rules affecting cycling and pedestrian flow through intersections. This complements the Transport Agency’s development of network design guidance.
The research, which will be used to inform policy advice regarding potential rule changes, investigated the likely impacts of:
- giving pedestrians right-of-way over turning traffic when crossing side roads
- giving cyclists right-of-way over turning traffic where separated cycling facilities cross side roads
- allowing cyclists to use a left turning lane while riding straight ahead
- allowing cyclists to undertake slow moving traffic
- allowing cyclists to lane split when filtering to the front of a queue of traffic
- allowing cyclists to turn left (and/or ride across the top of a T intersection) despite being faced with a red light.
Download the full report, conducted by MWH and ViaStrada.
Urban New Zealanders attitudes and perceptions of cycling
The national cycling programme recently conducted a survey of attitudes to and perceptions of cycling among people who live in our main urban centres, to help track progress toward our goal to make cycling a safer and more attractive transport option. The research undertaken found information that confirms significant customer demand for the choice to cycle, and for better cycling networks to make cycling a much safer and more attractive choice than it is now. The research also found the many kiwis already own or have access to bikes and use them to get about town.
Download a summary of urban New Zealanders attitudes and perceptions of cyclingDownload a summary of urban New Zealanders attitudes and perceptions of cycling
Download the full research report, conducted by Research New Zealand.