Auckland opens stacked bike shelter

Free bike parking catering for up to 30 bikes (including e-bikes) has opened in Queen Street, Auckland.

Auckland Transport (AT) unveiled its new Aotea Bike Shelter there on May 3, giving away free bike locks the next day.

The shelter cost $100,000 to make and install, AT adding it will pay for itself within a year.

The health and environmental benefits of providing high quality cycling infrastructure are well understood, AT commercial and parking facilities manager Roger Freakley says.

“What is often not discussed is that in the same sized area where you could fit two cars, we are catering for 30 bikes with this infrastructure – at a fraction of the cost.”

Freakley says this means AT can cater for many more people’s parking needs in less space.

“This also leaves more space for us to reimagine what a healthy, safe and economically vibrant city centre looks like.”

The bike parks are repaired and maintained by oOh! and AT makes revenue through advertising – “so no long-term cost to ratepayers”.

“It’s a revenue stream for us, while also being an incredibly compact end-of-journey option for our customers,” Freakley adds.

He says the bike park is AT’s first double-decker bike rack.

“And we are looking at more to come.”

AT did the project with its media partner (oOH! Media) off the success of a similar shelter in Wellington.

“Wellington and Nelson beat us to it,” Freakley says.

“However, we will eclipse them in no time.”

AT adds it is progressing plans to put a second shelter in Lower Queen St to meet bike parking needs there and that investigations are underway on future locations.