| Revised edition February 2025 |
Chapter 1 includes:
- Context and definitions
Defining pedestrians in relation to footpath users, including anyone using skateboards, scooters and other similar devices.
- Pedestrians and the law
Overview of New Zealand legislation covering pedestrians and the walking environment.
- Benefits of walking
There are seven main benefits of walking, many of which overlap.
- Walking activity and trends in New Zealand
Seventeen percent of all trips are made by walking, mostly short trips. Walking trips are gradually being replaced by driving, especially for school journeys – with consequent impacts on population health.
- A Safe System for walking
Providing for walking is an important part of the Safe System approach. Keeping people safe on the network requires all participants (educators, street designers, regulators, etc) to focus on continuous improvement.
- Falls – slips, trips and stumbles
Falls are a leading cause of injury for people of all ages, but especially the elderly. While a large percentage of falls occur on stairs and inside buildings or homes, pedestrians walking or jogging on footpaths, stepping off kerbs and crossing roadways also fall.
Download the Walking in New Zealand chapter [PDF, 2.4 MB]
