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By foot

Updated: 2 December 2009

Walking has many benefits. It’s easy, free and fun – and it helps you stay fit and healthy. What’s more, the more of us who walk to get around, the fewer vehicles on our roads. The fewer vehicles, the less harmful gases get emitted as well as less traffic noise and pollution.

Walking smart

Whether for leisure, pleasure or as a way to get around, walking is an easy, healthy and safe way to travel. There are a number of things you can do to keep it that way. Follow these tips:

General safety habits:

  • use pedestrian crossings or cross at traffic signals
  • look and listen for traffic entering or leaving driveways
  • walk on the footpath, close to the houses and away from the road
  • hold hands if walking with a young child near roads or in carparks.

Crossing the road

When there’s no pedestrian crossing

  • Cross the road only when it’s safe to do so - it takes time for a vehicle to stop so be patient and wait for a gap in the traffic.
  • Use the kerb drill:
    • Find a safe place to cross – like at a crossing or away from a corner.
    • Stand one step back from the kerb. Practise this by walking to the kerb and taking one step back.
    • Look and listen for traffic coming from all directions.
    • If there’s traffic coming, wait until it has passed, then look and listen for traffic again.
    • When there’s no traffic coming, walk quickly straight across the road, looking each way for traffic.
    • At night, cross close to a street light if you can.
    • If you’re getting off a bus, wait until it moves off before checking for moving vehicles.

Using a pedestrian crossing

  • Use official crossings where possible – in fact, if you’re within 20 metres of a pedestrian crossing, the law requires you to use it.
  • Check that any approaching vehicles have seen you and can stop before you step out.
  • Cross as quickly as you are able.
  • For crossings with signals, only cross when the green person or message shows.

Watch out for courtesy crossings

Cars don’t have to stop for pedestrians at courtesy crossings (unpainted crossings often made of other materials like bricks or pavers). Use these crossings with care.

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Crossing at intersections

Choose a place where you can see, and be seen by, traffic from all directions.

Crossing between parked cars

Crossing the road between parked cars should be your last option, even if you have to walk a little further to get to a clear stretch of road. If you have to cross between parked cars:

  • stop on the footpath and look carefully for a gap between two parked vehicles that don’t show signs that they might move off (eg that don’t have drivers, exhaust fumes, engine noises, lights)
  • if you can’t see inside either vehicle choose another gap
  • make sure you have a safe place to go on the other side of the road (ie a place that is not blocked by a driveway or parked vehicles)
  • walk to the outside (headlight) corner of the parked vehicle and stop where you can see the traffic, and drivers can see you
  • look and listen for traffic up and down the road
  • check that crossing the road is still safe and, only if it’s safe, cross the road by walking quickly and straight across the road
  • while crossing continue to look and listen around you for traffic.

Walking where there are no footpaths

  • Walk facing the oncoming traffic.
  • Keep as far off the road as possible.
  • Walk in single file - if in a group, the shortest child should be at the front and tallest at the back so everyone can see.

See more tips on how to stay safe and follow the simple rules in The official New Zealand road code.

Using kick scooters, kick-skateboards and skates

While you can use scooters, skateboards and inline skates on the footpath, once they have motors added, you’ll need to meet requirements on where and how you can use them. The requirements will depend on the power rating of the device.

Mobility vehicles such as mobility scooters and power chairs provide independence to a growing number of New Zealanders. Because these vehicles offer little protection to their riders, you need to take steps to ensure your safety when using them.

Find out more about where you can use mobility devices and read tips on staying safe.

Walking to work

Walking to work is a great way to fit exercise into a busy day as well as saving you money and being kinder on the environment. Average walking speeds are between 2.9km/h and 6.5km/h so an average 2-kilometre trip can easily be done in 20-40 minutes. Too far to walk? You may be able to combine walking as one part of your commute. See more information about combining different means transport for your travel.

See how walking can form part of your workplace travel plans.

Want to know more about walking?

Read more about:

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Learn how we plan for walking
When developing new roads.

Feet first
Getting Kiwi children walking

Planning a walk?
Plot your steps at mapmywalk.com (external link)

Where's a good walk?
Check these links for urban walk options