Do children have to wear helmets when riding kick scooters on the footpath?

[p.dath]

I'm trying to figure out if children under 14 by law need to wear a helmet when riding a "kick" scooter (the kind without a motor that you push along with one foot) on the footpath.

I looked at the Road Transport Rule (2004):
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules/docs/road-user-consolidation.pdf

As best as I can determine it, section 11.1 and 11.8 deal with the issue. The kick scooter looks like it is classed as a "wheeled recreational device", and is granted legal permission to use the footpath. Section 11.8 says a helmet must be used when on a "road".

So my impression is that there is no legal requirement when riding a kick scooter on a footpath to wear a helmet.
In the same vain, a person using a mobility scooter on a footpath is also not required to wear a helmet.

Have I got this right? This also means that (provided you are riding a push bike that is allowed on the footpath) that children on push bikes don't need a helmet when riding on a footpath. Is this also correct?

[SMOKEU]

I don't think that a helmet is legally required for such devices.

[FJRider]

It is against the law to ride a bicycle on the footpath ...

and the law requires a helmet to be worn whilst riding a bicycle.

regardless of location ... on or off road ... as per a motorcycle helmet ..

[p.dath]

It is against the law to ride a bicycle on the footpath ...

It's against the law to ride a bicycle on the footpath if it's wheel diameter is over 355mm. Children's bikes (and kick scooters) have wheels smaller than this, and can be legally ridden on the footpath.


and the law requires a helmet to be worn whilst riding a bicycle.

regardless of location ... on or off road ... as per a motorcycle helmet ..

I have found the law saying it is a legal requirement when riding on the road - but not any law saying they must wear a helmet regardless of location - could you direct me to that law?

Otherwise your saying a child has to wear a helmet when riding on your front law on a private property ... which just doesn't sound right.

[FJRider]

I have found the law saying it is a legal requirement when riding on the road - but not any law saying they must wear a helmet regardless of location - could you direct me to that law?

Otherwise your saying a child has to wear a helmet when riding on your front law on a private property ... which just doesn't sound right.

You are correct on the wording ... MY mistake. :yes:

If you have nothing on your front lawn the child could hit (their head on) ie: house, fence, poles, garden rocks,cars/motorcles, another child on a bike, ground (its not always soft) ... :innocent:

I guess it is your child after all ... :shutup:

[ajturbo]

who cares?..

Darwin will rule:Punk:

[DrunkenMistake]

Jesus man,
WHO CARES?!

Your not one of those homo's that walk down the street and see some kid on a skateboard and go.. Tisk tisk tisk.. You should have knee pads and elbow pads on!
Its just unsafe!!!

:facepalm:

[supa.m]

:corn: oh no sorry i mean :whocares: