Driving and traffic law
Skateboards, scooters and mobility devices
Riding skateboards and scooters on roads and footpaths
Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, rule 11.1
If you ride a skateboard or a scooter (the small-wheeled, unpowered type of scooter) or use in-line skates, you have to follow these rules:
- if you’re riding on the road, you have to keep as close as possible to the edge of the road
- on the footpath, you must be careful and considerate and not be a hazard to others. You have to give way to pedestrians and people on mobility scooters.
Unlike cyclists, you don’t have to wear a helmet or use lights at night if you’re riding a skateboard or scooter.
Skating in malls, parks and other public places
Local councils also often have specific bylaws about skateboarding in public places like town squares – for example:
Wellington Public Places Bylaw 2022, Part D: Offences and penalties
- Wellington City Council bylaws allows skateboards and skates to be used in public places (like urban parks and squares) unless there’s a sign there saying otherwise. But you have to show reasonable consideration for other people there, and make sure you don’t damage council property (bench seats for example).
Auckland Council Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw 2013, clause 6(1)-(2)
- Auckland Council bylaws say that skateboards and other skaters in public places can’t be reckless or ride in a way that could be dangerous, intimidating or a nuisance.
Mobility scooters
Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, rule 11.1
If you ride a mobility scooter, you can’t ride on any part of the road if you’re able to ride on the footpath. If you do need to ride it on the road, you have to keep as close as possible to the edge of the road.
When you’re riding your mobility scooter on the footpath, you must be careful and considerate and not be a hazard to others. Skateboarders on the footpath have to give way to you.
