Minimum overtaking gap proposed for NZ law

Despite the current ‘cost of living challenges’ facing all community events, Bike Manawatu is 100% committed to ensuring the 51st year of the Novice Tour – once again provides a safe, fun, competitive cycle racing event.

We will adopt a high-quality assured approach in implementing the Local Roading Authority’s/Cycling New Zealand’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) standards which ensure best practices and rider and spectator safety.

If the level of community funding secured is not sufficient to contract in external road management service providers with the ability to stop/go traffic, the Novice Tour will proceed on a ‘local club racing’ model, whereby our team of trained/experienced road marshals will, where necessary, pause racing in order to give way to traffic and ensure rider safety.

Although funding external road management services with the ability to stop/go traffic is ideal, if this is not feasible – we are confident that the event’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) will provide a competitive, fair, enjoyable and importantly safe racing environment.

Irrespective of which model of traffic management/racing is finalised, as with all CNZ/Bike Manawatu events, normal road rules will apply and a full rider briefing confirming the event rules will be provided to all riders prior to the start of each race.

The Associate Minister of Transport is proposing a collection of rule changes known as the Accessible Streets Regulatory Package. Read full details here

Proposal 7: Mandate a minimum overtaking gap for motor vehicles overtaking cycles, transport devices, horses, pedestrians, and people using mobility devices on the road

Our proposed change will ensure drivers of motor vehicles pass at a safe distance when overtaking cyclists, horses, pedestrians and people using, transport devices and mobility devices on the road.

The minimum overtaking gap will be:

1 metre when the posted speed limit is 60km/h or less
1.5 metres when the posted speed limit is over 60km/h.

A mandatory minimum overtaking gap will:

set a clear expectation about what a safe minimum passing distance is
legitimise what’s currently a guideline
raise awareness of this practice.

The proposed change is expected to decrease the number of incidents involving overtaking vehicles and vulnerable road users.