50 Victoria Street
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
New Zealand
11 January 2019
T 64 4 894 5400
F 64 4 894 6100
www.nzta.govt.nz
Bob Sharp
[FYI request #9325 email]
NZT-3551
Dear Bob
Partial Transfer of request made under the Official Information Act 1982
Thank you for your request of 30 December 2018 to the NZ Transport Agency requesting the fol owing
information:
‘I am wondering if it is legal for one to ride a bike and/or a go-kart on the footpath, and by
extension, the road for the go-kart. The website's definitions and regulations on low-powered
vehicles is vague, and makes no mention of powered go-karts.
I have ridden my bicycle on the footpath for my own safety, especial y on busier roads, and the
police have had no interest in enforcing that I ride on the road even though I have a suspicion
that it is unlawful. Is there data on people having been dealt to by police due to having ridden
a bike on a footpath?
I believe that if it is unsafe for one to conduct themselves and their small vehicle on the road,
then the footpath should be al owed to be used only if the user is being sensible; this makes
sense to me and seems to be, thankful y, the way laws are enforced in NZ - for the safety of
all. If I drive a go-kart slowly on a footpath, or close to the left side of a road with a harness
and helmet, am I breaking laws, and if so, please update your websites to make this more
obvious but also reconsider the rationality behind them.’
The following highlighted part of the information you have requested is more closely connected with
the functions of the Police:
‘I have ridden my bicycle on the footpath for my own safety, especial y on busier roads, and
the police have had no interest in enforcing that I ride on the road even though I have a
suspicion that it is unlawful. Is there data on people having been dealt to by police due to
having ridden a bike on a footpath?’
Accordingly, we are transferring this part of your request to the Police under section 14 of the Official
Information Act 1982.
Therefore you wil receive further correspondence on your request from the Police, the time limit for
their response to you will be 20 working days from 11 January 2019, so you can expect a response
from them on or before 8 February 2019.
Yours sincerely
Leisa Coley
Manager, Ministerial Services
2
