Pedestrians sharing roads and paths

Stay safe around roads

Keep out of the traffic lane

Where possible, walk on the footpath, not the road. If there is no footpath, walk on the nature strip or hard shoulder. If you have to walk on the road, walk against the traffic flow.

Stay visible

• Wear or carry something brightly coloured.  
• Walk on the right side (the same side as oncoming traffic) if there are no footpaths.

Minimise distractions

Switch off, or put away, your mobile phone.  

Cross roads safely

• Use a pedestrian crossing (like a zebra crossing), pedestrian signalised crossing, or pedestrian refuge (island in the middle of the road) where possible.
• If you can’t use a pedestrian crossing, choose a straight section of road where you can see the traffic in both directions and drivers can see you.
• Avoid crossing near the top of hills and bends in roads.

Be aware of turning vehicles

• Watch for cars turning into the road you are crossing, even when crossing on a ‘green man’.
• Trucks have huge blind spots. Step back from the road when they are turning.

Be seen at night

• Wear bright and reflective clothes.
• Carry a torch or light to help you see and be seen.
• Cross in well-lit areas with a clear view in both directions, at marked pedestrian crossings if possible.

Read more about crossing the road safely. 

Using shared paths

Pedestrians and bike riders can use shared paths. These spaces are marked by signs and markings on the path. 

Take care of pedestrians

Bike riders must:

• give way to all pedestrians on shared paths
• keep to the left of the path unless it is impractical to do so
• have a bell on their bicycle to warn other path users when overtaking.

Staying safe on shared paths

• If wearing headphones, make sure you can still hear what’s happening around you, so you don’t miss bike riders warning you that they’re overtaking.
• Wear bright visible clothing at night. Some parks and paths may not be well lit.  
• Keep dogs to your left so they don’t obstruct other path users.  

Pedestrians may not use bike paths

A pedestrian can’t use a designated bike path unless crossing it using the shortest possible route and give way to anyone on the bike path before doing so.

Footpaths

Footpaths are primarily for pedestrians.  

E-scooters and other e-devices cannot use footpaths.  

Bicycle riders cannot use footpaths unless they:

• are 12 years and under
• are accompanying a person 12 years and under
• have a medical certificate that shows that they have an exemption to the no cycling on footpaths rule or are supervising a person with an exemption.  

Any bicycle riders using a footpath must give way to pedestrians at all times.