New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust

25/09/2026

💚 UPLIFTING SUPPORT 💚

“There is a lot that happens on New Zealand’s roads every day, and making our roads a safer place for all users is something we were happy to support.

For us, it was a small gesture towards helping raise awareness and contribute to safer roads.” NZ General manager, Tony Dalton

What a pleasure it’s been to work with the team at Royans Transport Accident Repairs, who kindly offered to design and sponsor business cards for the New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust.

Last month whilst attending the Transport Well Charitable Trust conference, I had the opportunity to introduce our work to Tony Dalton. He asked if I had a business card. I laughed saying we don’t have dollars for that yet…”

Tony’s response was immediate, “we can help you with that.”

🙏 Logan for the design work and to the executive team for your company’s support. It’s uplifting.

Trust chair, Julia

20/09/2026

💛 RIDING RECORDING DEVICES 💛

Here’s a summary of technology that’s available for recording whilst riding a horse.

It featured in the Horse&Hound magazine and may be helpful to anyone doing research in this area. Options are limited in Aotearoa New Zealand.

19/09/2026

💚 BOTTLE LAKE FOREST 🐕 🐎 🚲 🏃‍♀️ 💚

Spaces like Christchurch City Council Bottle Lake Forest - where all recreational users are welcome - is an asset for community.

We are grateful to be able to ride here and completed a 12km loop through the forest, over ‘earthquake hill’ and back via the beach & road.

Thank you to every dog owner we came across for their quick recall and to EVERY driver who passed us WIDE & SLOW 👍

Safe choices save lives.

New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust chair, Julia

17/09/2026

🐎 “CARS AREN’T THE ISSUE, IT’S HOW THEY ARE DRIVEN”

A message shared between a rider and a police officer escorting horses through to Parliament in the Capital this week.

“…cars don’t frighten these horses. These horses are used to traffic. It’s not cars coming at them that’s the issue, it’s how the car is driven.”

When you see a horse, person on a bike or on foot, please SLOW DOWN and give plenty of SPACE as you approach and pass.

Pass WIDE & SLOW

Your safe driving means everyone gets to their destination.

🙏 New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust

17/09/2026

If you haven’t checked out this petition, please do consider supporting it.

Road safety is not just about statistics, policies or legislation. It is about real people, real families and futures that should never have been taken away.

We know change doesn't happen overnight. It takes people coming together, asking difficult questions, raising awareness and refusing to let important issues be forgotten.

💜 For Jade. For families in NZ. For everyone sharing our roads.

We invite you to stand with us in calling for:
🛣️ Safer NZ Roads
⚖️ Stronger Accountability
🤝 Meaningful change

📢 Please share Jade’s story and support our petition for reform. Every conversation helps keep road safety and accountability on the agenda.

16/09/2026

💚 ADVOCATE, EDUCATE & PROTECT 💚

I’d like to share a story with you that was a great reminder as to why the New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust exists.

For eight years Jade and his family have endured heavy logging trucks travelling at speed past their horses on a road they use to access the beach and back blocks.

The most recent incident in January saw a truck and trailer unit pass so close the lead horse (ridden by Jade’s 15-yr old daughter)turned its hind towards the road and the rear of the vehicle touched its tail as it completed the pass. At no point did the vehicle reduce speed or move over the white line to pass Jade, his children and their ponies.

The Trust this week wrote on behalf of the whanāu to the company, and its response is the key message here.

✔️ The company apologised
✔️ Expressed a desire to be informed of any incident like this immediately so it can act.
✔️ Stated all drivers will be reminded of their responsibility around the safety of vulnerable road users and driving in community.
✔️ Gave the family a direct line of contact going forward

It was Jade’s words at the end of our phone call that had real meaning for me.

“Up until the Pass Wide and Slow message in community there hasn’t been anywhere to raise issues like this. I tried with the council but it fell on deaf ears.”

Prevention, education and enforcement is how we will turn the tide on this country’s horrific road trauma. We all have a role to play.

Trust chair, Julia

14/09/2026

💛 ROADS AND COMPETITIONS 💛

In the back blocks of the McKenzie District over the weekend was an endurance and competitive trail riding event.

Its network of quiet rural roads make up the distance horses needed to cover.

For road safety ambassadors Delia and her horse Ted, 40km is a walk in the park. Brisk walk that is, as Ted likes a job and is on a mission!

When you see a hoiho 🐎 on the road, please SLOW DOWN and give at least
2-METRES space. Your safe driving has a direct effect on the horse and their rider.

Safe choices save lives.

And Dee says all drivers they encountered were fantastic and took great care. 🙏

New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust chair, Julia

14/09/2026

🐑 QUIET RURAL ROADS 🐑

Not so quiet at this nursery but how good it is to run, pedal or ride in Spring on empty roads.

Haere Whānui, haere Pōturi - Pass Wide & Slow when you see someone on foot, bike or Hoiho.

13/09/2026

11/09/2026

❤️ RED INDICATES COMPULSORY ❤️

With no plan to renew road signage to reinforce next months mandatory minimum 1.5m passing gap, the New Zealand Vulnerable Road User Charitable Trust got creative.

Ultimately this law change will only work in reducing close calls, near misses and sadly, death or life altering injury - if people behind the wheel understand why giving space is critical to a person’s safety when they’re on foot, bike, or an animal.

1. Riding/driving an animal means there are three brains involved. One of which is a flight animals. Slowing down and being prepared to stop suddenly is for your safety, and that of the rider & horse. Giving at least 2m space is international best practice.

2. Vulnerable road users have no protection whatsoever. Our safety is reliant on every single driver who approaches and passes with care. We see you and 🙏

A fortnight ago I wrote to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to ask if new road signage would be part of the education package. I offered this design. No was the answer.

I then wrote to the Minister of Transport to request signage design be considered as part of the ‘$70-80k education package’. No response.

The Trust will continue to proactively speak up and partner with people and organisations committed to reducing trauma on the road.

Please do your bit in educating your driving family about the need to pass vulnerable road users WIDE & SLOW.

🙏 Trust chair, Julia