289Driving on a nature strip

289 Driving on a nature strip

(1) A driver must not drive on a nature strip adjacent to a length of road in a built-up area, unless the driver is—

(a) entering or leaving, by the shortest practicable route, an area on the nature strip indicated by information on or with a traffic control device as an area where vehicles may drive; or

(b) driving on a part of the nature strip indicated by information on or with a traffic control device as a part where vehicles may drive; or

(c) driving on the nature strip to enter or leave, by the shortest practicable route, a road related area or adjacent land and there is not a part of the nature strip indicated by information on or with a traffic control device as a part where vehicles may drive; or

Rule 289(1)(d) amended by S.R. No. 135/2021 rule 94.

(d) riding a bicycle, an electric scooter or animal, except if the Council prohibits the riding of bicycles, electric scooters or animals on the nature strip; or

(e) driving a ride-on lawnmower that is cutting grass on the nature strip; or

(f) driving a motorised wheelchair.

Adjacent land, built-up area, length of road, nature strip, traffic control device, wheelchair and with are defined in the dictionary. Road related area is defined in rule 13.

(2) A driver driving on a nature strip (except the rider of an animal, or a driver driving on the nature strip to enter a road from a road related area or adjacent land, or to enter a road related area or adjacent land from a road) must give way to all other road users, and to animals, on the nature strip.

1 Road user is defined in the dictionary.

2 For subrule (2), give way means the driver must slow down and, if necessary, stop to avoid a collision—see the definition in the dictionary.

3 Rules 74 and 75 deal with drivers giving way when crossing a nature strip adjacent to a road to enter or leave a road related area or adjacent land.

4 The rider of an animal on a nature strip must give way to any pedestrian on the nature strip—see rule 302.

(2A) Subrule (1) does not apply to the rider of a motor bike (with or without a trailer attached) or bicycle that is a postal vehicle if—

(a) the rider gives way to pedestrians and other vehicles and takes reasonable precautions to avoid collision with, or danger or obstruction to, any person or thing on or next to the path; and