50 Victoria Street
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
New Zealand
T 64 4 894 5400
F 64 4 894 6100
www.nzta.govt.nz
31 January 2019
Bob Sharp
[FYI request #9325 email]
REF: NZT-3551
Dear Bob
Thank you for your email of 30 December 2018 requesting information regarding the use of bikes
and/or Go-Karts on the footpath. We recognise you made this request under the Official Information
Act 1982 (the Act). As the official information requested in your email is more closely connected with
the functions of the NZ Police, the fol owing portion of your request was transferred to them under
section 14 of the Act on 11 January 2019:
‘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?’
As the remainder of your correspondence is related to general information, it has not been considered
under the provisions of the Act, and is responded to below.
I can advise it is illegal for Go-Kart’s to be used on either a public road or a footpath. Furthermore, the
law only allows a bicycle to be ridden on the footpath in the course of delivering newspapers, mail or
printed material to letterboxes. The rules and regulations governing the use of footpaths are outlined
in the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 (the Rule), clauses 2.13, 6.14, 11.1 and 11.11. These
clauses stipulate the type of road users who may or may not operate on a footpath, depending on the
circumstances surrounding their application. Enforcement of these regulations is the responsibility of
the Police so any legal repercussions will be at their discretion.
There is a range of low-powered devices that New Zealanders use for travel or recreation. Such
examples include mobility devices powered by a motor of up to 1500 watts or wheeled recreational
vehicles. The intent behind their use on footpaths is that they travel at a proportionate speed to other
users and must be operated in a courteous and considerate manner. Given the engine output of a Go-
Kart is capable of reaching speeds of up to 90km/h, the wattage and potential speed means they
cannot be considered a low powered vehicle.
As Go-Karts have few safety features, they are unable to fit within the vehicle classifications or meet
applicable standards to be registered and licensed as a motor vehicle. For this reason, it is illegal for
Go-Karts to be used on the road and can therefore only be operated on private property, including
racetracks.
The NZ Transport Agency website strives to provide information to answer the most common queries
we receive. While questions relating to the use of Go-Karts on a footpath are infrequent, the Transport
Agency would be happy to review the information again should such queries become more prevalent in
future.
If you would like to discuss this reply with the Transport Agency, please contact Amber McGovern-
Wilson, Senior Advisor Policy, by email to [email address].
Yours sincerely
Michael Aitken
Senior Manager Operational Policy, Planning & Intelligence