The Associate Minister of Transport, Hon Craig Foss, has signed into law 13 amendment Rules that make minor changes to existing Land Transport Rules. They’ll come into force soon- December 1st!
CAN’s submission is here; thanks to those who worked on it. Here are some of the rules which apply directly to cyclists-
- Permit drivers to encroach onto a flush median when overtaking cyclists
- Extend the time period during which lighting and reflector requirements apply to pedal cycles and power assisted pedal cycles
- Clarify that a driver approaching an intersection must not enter a cycle lane if the driver's intended passage or exit is blocked by stationary traffic or the signals are red and a vehicle would obstruct the cycle lane
- Allow a bus driver to enter and leave a cycle lane and to stop at a bus stop in a cycle lane for the purpose of passenger boarding and alighting
- Require pedal cycle and power assisted pedal cycle front and rear lights to be visible from a distance of 200 metres between the times of sunset and sunrise- note no 30 minutes of 'dusk'. Because the Ministry's explanatory docs and web pages had errors, the text of this amendment is pasted below.
- Extend the time period during which lighting and reflector requirements apply to pedal cycles and power assisted pedal cycles
- Allow the use of blue flashing reflective pavement markers as ice warning markers
- Allow temporary speed limits to be 10 km per hour less than the permanent speed limit in areas where the permanent speed limit is 50 km per hour or less
- Add the road marking for 'sharrows' into Schedule 2 of the Rule
Section 15 Vehicle Lighting
15.1 Amendments to Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
15.1(1) This section amends Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004.
15.1(2) Delete clauses 2.1(7) and 2.1(7A).
15.1(3) In clause 2.1(8), delete “or 2.1(7),”.
15.1(4) Replace clause 3.3(2)(b) with:
(b) must be fitted with one or two headlamps that emit light that is visible from a distance of 200 m when the vehicle is operated— (i) between the times of sunset and the following sunrise; and (ii) at any time when there is not sufficient daylight to render clearly visible a person or vehicle at a distance of 100 m. |
15.1(5) In clause 5.3(2), delete “in New Zealand”.
15.1(6) Replace clause 7.4(2)(b) with:
(b) must be fitted with one or more rearward-facing position lamp that emits steady or flashing light that is visible from a distance of 200 m when the vehicle is operated— (i) between the times of sunset and the following sunrise; and (ii) at any time when there is not sufficient daylight to render clearly visible a person or vehicle at a distance of 100 m. |