New Zealand drivers may soon be legally required to give cyclists and other vulnerable road users more space when overtaking, under a proposed rule change released for public consultation by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

The proposal sets a minimum 1m passing gap when travelling at 60km/h or below, and 1.5m when travelling over 60km/h.

“Currently, there’s no minimum distance specified in the rule,” NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said in a post on its Facebook page.

“This is unsafe, and it’s led to an inconsistent understanding of what’s a safe passing distance.”

As part of NZTA’s proposal, failure to meet the minimum passing distance would carry an infringement fine of $300 and a maximum court-ordered fine of $1500.

The passing‑gap requirement is one of five rule changes NZTA is consulting on.

The full package includes proposals to:

– Allow children aged 12 and under to ride bicycles on footpaths, a change intended to reflect common practice and improve safety for younger riders.

– Require drivers travelling under 60km/h to give way to buses pulling out from bus stops, addressing long‑standing uncertainty around bus priority.

– Allow e‑scooters to use on‑road cycle lanes, clarifying the legality of a behaviour already widely observed.

– Clarify signage rules for berm parking, making it easier for councils to enforce restrictions around the grassy area between the road and footpath.

Public consultation is open until March 25 and NZTA emphasised that official submissions must be made through the online form on its website.

Comments on social media, including on the agency’s Facebook page where the proposals were recently promoted, cannot be counted as formal feedback, the roading agency said.

Feedback will contribute to the final decisions made by the Minister of Transport.