You asked the following question.

 

Dear Waimakariri District Council,

Is it legal to use Electric self balancing scootors, and electric
skateboards on footpaths in the Waimak District?

 

Yours faithfully,

Mr pseudonym

 

The answer is yes and the background to that answer is as follows.

 

Regulations relating to the use of the road and footpaths are controlled
nationally through the “Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004”.

 

Below is information and links to the rule and other information sources.

 

Part 11

Requirements for particular road users

(r 11.1 to r 11.19)

Pedestrians, riders of mobility devices, and wheeled recreational devices

11.1 Use of footpath and roadway

(1) A pedestrian must, at all times when practicable, remain on the
footpath if one is provided.

(2) A driver must not drive a mobility device on any portion of a roadway
if it is practicable to drive on a footpath.

(3) A pedestrian or driver of a mobility device or a wheeled recreational
device using the roadway must remain as near as practicable to the edge of
the roadway.

(4) A driver of a mobility device or wheeled recreational device on a
footpath—

(a) must operate the device in a careful and considerate manner; and

(b) must not operate the device at a speed that constitutes a hazard to
other footpath users.

(5) A person using a wheeled recreational device on a footpath must give
way to pedestrians and drivers of mobility devices.

(6) A pedestrian must not unduly impede the passage of a mobility device
or wheeled recreational device on the footpath.

 

[1]http://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources...

 

 

Some further info below:

 

 

First link has info re 'low powered vehicles' which includes motorised
skateboards, scooters and roller skates - which can't be operated on the
road.

 

Second two links relate to the requirements of the use of wheeled
recreational devices on footpaths and shared paths.

 

Bit of a difference in the terminology used, but essentially relate to the
same thing I think!

 

[2]https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/vehicl...

 

All other low-powered vehicles

 

Except for those listed above all other powered vehicles require
registration, an appropriate drivers licence and must meet appropriate
equipment and safety standards for the appropriate class of vehicle.

 

Check out our vehicle definitions

 

The following are examples of vehicles that meet the definition of motor
vehicle but have difficulties meeting the safety standards and other
requirements.  This means they cannot be operated on the road.

 

Motorised skate boards, scooters, and roller skates Segways and similar
Powered Self Balancing Unicycles Cycles fitted with petrol motors Low
powered scooters/mopeds Cycles designed primarily to be propelled by an
engine not the muscular energy of the rider Note that ‘road’ is a very
broadly defined read more.

 

 

 

[3]http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulatio...

 

[4]http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulatio...

 

[5]http://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources...

 

 

Regards

Ken

 

 

Ken Stevenson | Roading Manager
Roading
[email address]
Customer Service: 03 311 8900 or 03 327 6834
Phone: 03 311 8902 | Ext: 8817
DDI: 03 311 8947 | [mobile number]
[6]http://smc2.waimakariri.govt.nz/resource...
[8]Waimakariri District Council
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Council Page[11]Waimakariri District Council Youtube
Page[12]Waimakariri District Council Linkedin
Page[13]Waimakariri District Council Flickr Page

 

References

Visible links
1. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources...
2. https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/vehicl...
3. http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulatio...
4. http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulatio...
5. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources...
6. file:///tmp/http:/
7. http://www.waimakariri.govt.nz/home
8. http://www.waimakariri.govt.nz/home
9. https://www.facebook.com/WaimakaririDist...
10. https://twitter.com/waimakariridc
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