Road safety penalties
Reviewing road safety penalties to ensure they are proportionate to the risk of harm and reflect society’s expectations.
Road safety penalties
What you need to know
ABS was first introduced on motorcycles in the early 1990s, but has only been offered across all brands since the late 2000s. Although ABS is increasingly available in New Zealand in both new and used motorcycles, not all motorcycles have it.
ABS is a closed-loop part of the braking system that prevents wheel lock during braking resulting in improved vehicle stability, and usually reduced stopping distance. If the wheels are about to lock due to hard braking or slippery road conditions, the ABS hydraulic unit momentarily reduces brake pressure so the wheels continue to rotate. A CBS is a service brake system where brakes on both wheels can be operated by using a single control. During emergency braking, CBS stops the rider from having to balance front and rear brake force manually, eliminating compromised braking due to inappropriate or panicked brake use.
New Zealand’s motorcycle fleet is imported from overseas. To improve motorcycle safety and reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities, the Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes Amendment (No 2) 2019 came into effect in April 2020. This means that by 2021 we expect to see 90% of all motorcycles imported to New Zealand fitted with ABS or CBS.
The work to date
04
Apr 2020
New requirement comes into effect
The mandatory ABS requirement came into effect on 1 April 2020, through the Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes Amendment (No 2) 2019.
The Rule means:
- all new-model new motorcyclesover 125cc entering the fleet for the first time must be fitted with ABS from 1 April 2020
- all new-model new motorcycles between 50cc and 125cc entering the fleet for the first time must be fitted with ABS or CBS from 1 April 2020
- all existing-model and used motorcycles over 125cc entering the fleet for the first time must be fitted with ABS from 1 November 2021
- all existing-model and used motorcycles between 50cc and 125cc entering the fleet for the first time must be fitted with ABS or CBS from 1 November 2021
From 1 November 2021, current-model motorcycles and imported used motorcycles must have ABS fitted as standard.
Exceptions
There is a limited allowance for classic and collectable motorcycles. Motorcycles first registered before 1 January 1990 do not have to comply with the Rule. For motorcycles first registered after this date, a new, special interest motorcycle permit allows collectable motorcycles to continue to be imported if there is no equivalent option with ABS available. Applicants can apply to Waka Kotahi for a permit. The number of special interest permits is limited to 100 per year.
The Rule does not require ABS or CBS to be retrofitted to existing motorcycles.
Land Transport Rule: Light vehicle Brakes 2002(external link)
03
Sept 2019
Rule amended
On 12 September 2019, the Associate Minister of Transport signed an amendment to the Land Transport Rule: Light vehicle Brakes 2002, mandating ABS or CBS for motorcycles entering New Zealand’s vehicle fleet.
02
Jul 2019–Aug 2019
Road to Zero strategy consulted on
The Government agreed to consult on the new Road to Zero road safety strategy and initial set of actions. One of the initial actions was mandating ABS for motorcycles.
01
Mar 2019
Proposed rule amendment consultation
The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2018/19–2027/28 included a range of measures to improve the safety of vulnerable road users, including considering mandating ABS for motorcycles.