Video: Locky Docks opening around NZ

Wellington’s first Locky Dock secure e-bike and e-scooter storage and charging has been unveiled by transport minister Michael Wood at the corner of Willis Street and Ghuznee Street, with the promise of more to come.

Big Street Bikers (BSB) has developed the Locky Dock network during the last four years and says the next Locky Dock opening will be at Wellington Hospital.

BSB is in discussion with the Wellington City Council about future Locky Docks in the central city, along with the Hutt City Council about extending the network through Hutt City and over to Wainuiomata.

The first solar-powered Locky Dock Parklet (a smaller version of the Locky Dock), co-funded by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), will be installed in the Paraparaumu civic centre with the Kapiti Coast District Council.

Locky Docks will now continue to pop up around the country, and BSB has requests from councils and property owners in widespread locations including Auckland, Hamilton, Whakatane, Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga, Napier, Palmerston North, Dunedin, Queenstown, Central Otago, Hokitika and Invercargill.

“We are so pleased to have our first Wellington Locky Dock launched on a street which is notorious for innercity car congestion,” BSB founder Cleve Cameron says.

“It is just near a former motorway off-ramp which is a safe cycling route, and our first Wellington Locky Dock is set to catch people’s attention.”

Cameron says that by making it safe, secure and normal to bike to work, BSB aims to cut down commuter traffic and make use of the extensive bike lanes around the various cities.

Guests at the opening included Wellington City councillors, Mercury chief marketing officer Julia Jack, BSB advisory board chair Sir Bob Harvey, and Dutch Embassy representatives.

Locky Docks are free to use and activated by an app or local public transport cards, funded through media and brand partners and supported by Mercury.

BSB has adapted the Locky Docks to include screens used for advertising and showing safe bike routes around cities.

“Thanks to the partnership with Mercury and Tauhara North No.2 Trust, and the provision of an outdoor media platform, there are minimal CAPEX or installation costs for the property owner,” BSB explains.

“Placement next to key destinations – schools, cafés, bars, venues, offices, malls, hospitals, universities, libraries, parks and other council facilities – creates convenience for users.

“To be in the ground in Wellington is a big step towards achieving our goal we set out with Mercury to have hundreds of Locky Docks around the country.”

The Wellington Locky Dock site is on Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency land, the agency supporting a year’s pilot and research for the maps in Christchurch which has become the template for Locky Dock digital maps nationwide.

Christchurch City users have reported their key motivations for traveling by bike are getting faster from A to B by avoiding time spent in traffic, and for saving money on parking, petrol and vehicle upkeep. Many users were aware of the changes coming to motor vehicles and reported they were happy to make the investment in electric mobility.

“With bike thefts rising during the last year 57%, particularly of e-bikes, establishing secure bike parking is essential to remove fear and protect people’s bikes,” BSB adds,

Other Locky Dock locations include those in Auckland at Commonsense, Mt Eden; Garage Project, Kingsland; Les Mills, Victoria St West; Silo Park, Jellicoe St; Morningside Tavern, Unitec – Student Central, Orakei Bay Village and 12 Christchurch sites.

Locky Dock sites are also on Kiwi Property locations at malls in Christchurch, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Auckland.