Sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists and riders

Crossings and pedestrian lights

People on foot have priority in more spots than learners tend to expect.

• Approach a pedestrian crossing slowly enough to stop before it if someone steps out.
• Give way to anyone on a pedestrian crossing, and never pass a car stopped at one.
• Wide white stripes painted across the road mark a pedestrian crossing, and people on foot there have right of way.
• Children's crossing with flags out: stop for anyone on it or stepping on, and wait until it is empty. A crossing supervisor raising a STOP sign holds you there until the sign is lowered.
• At mid block pedestrian lights, a red light holds you even when nobody has stepped out yet. Once it flashes yellow, move off only with the crossing clear.
• Rain and poor light make people harder to see, and they tend to hurry, so ease off and look harder.

A stopped car in the next lane may be hiding someone on the crossing. Slow down and do not drive past it.

Turning, refuge islands and shared zones

Pedestrians keep their priority well away from the painted crossing too.

• Turning at lights or anywhere else, let people crossing your new street finish first.
• A flashing red walking figure tells people not to set off, but anyone already on the road may finish, and you still wait for them.
• A person standing on a refuge island in the middle of the road may step into your lane, so be ready to slow or stop.
• Someone using a motorised wheelchair is treated as a pedestrian and gets the same priority.
• In a shared zone, give way to every pedestrian, including children playing.

Children, schools and buses

Children are small, quick and hard to see, so the rules give them extra protection.

• On school days, the signed school zone hours mean 40 km/h.
• A school bus with its rear warning lights flashing means children are getting on or off, so pass it at 40 km/h or less.
• Flashing lights on the front of a school bus are a warning to oncoming drivers that children are getting on or off.
• Expect a child to run out between parked cars or near buses, especially around parks and schools. Wherever people gather, such as at a bus stop, slow down and watch for anyone about to step out.
• When passengers leave a bus on the other side, watch for people crossing from in front of or behind it.
• Before reversing out of a driveway, walk around the car if you can, then reverse slowly while checking all around.

People who need more time

Some pedestrians move slowly or unpredictably, and patience keeps them safe.

• Older people may still be crossing when your light turns green. Wait until they reach the footpath.
• Your car may go unseen and unheard by an older person until it is quite near, so take it slowly and carefully around them.
• An older person or a young child on a crossing gets extra time. Wait until they are fully across, even once your half of the road is clear.
• A white cane or a guide dog tells you the person has low vision. Slow down and give them time.
• Near pubs late at night, people affected by alcohol may cross without looking, and they are among the pedestrians hit most often.
• On country roads with no footpath, pass people walking on the edge slowly and with plenty of room.
• Use the horn only to warn of danger, never to hurry someone along.

Cyclists

Bike riders share most roads with you and have their own rights on them.

• Bike riders carry the same rights and duties on the road as any driver.
• Passing gap: at least 1 metre if the road's limit is 60 km/h or under, 1.5 metres where it is higher, counted from the right of the bike to the left of your car, mirrors and all.
• Riders may travel side by side if they stay within 1.5 metres of each other, and they are allowed to take the full lane.
• A bike may legally pass on your left unless you are signalling a left turn, so look in the left mirror and over your shoulder before turning.
• Riders under 16 may use footpaths, so expect a bike as you cross one in a driveway.
• A painted bicycle box ahead of the stop line is for riders waiting at the red, so keep every part of your car behind it.
• Look behind before opening your door, so a rider does not hit it.

A rider in the centre of a narrow lane is allowed to be there. Wait until you can pass with the full gap.

Motorcyclists and horses

Riders on two wheels or four legs need care of their own.

• Motorbikes are small and easy to lose behind a pillar or in a mirror blind spot, so look twice.
• Fully licensed riders may filter between stopped vehicles at up to 30 km/h. Check your mirrors and hold your position.
• Pass a horse slowly and widely, with no horn and no revving, because a sudden noise can make it bolt.