Allowing children under 12-year-olds to cycle on footpaths, as suggested in a new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) report, is a "no-brainer", says a cycling advocate.
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The report, which the NZTA commissioned, comes as MPs consider a petition pushing for those under 14 years old to ride on footpaths.
Advocates for people with poor sight and the elderly oppose the move. They say young cyclists on the footpath pose a danger.
"This is a sensible proposal that will reduce risk" - Patrick Morgan
Cycling Action Network spokesperson Patrick Morgan said children hitting pedestrians on footpaths was rare.
"The main issues here are maintenance of footpaths, people driving across footpaths, wheelie-bins, mobility scooters - primary-age children on bikes are not a serious risk to people on footpaths. I think councils need to do a better job of looking after footpaths, and I think this will help."