Fleets of e-bikes to beat the traffic

This story first appeared in the September issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

Fleets of electric bikes for Auckland businesses are being launched this month.

Big Street Bikers aims to have 10,000 e-bikes on the city’s streets by 2020.

It’s about beating the traffic and parking congestion, and having people buzzing on the freedom of biking again, company spokesman Andrew Charlesworth says.

The service is designed to make it as easy as possible for companies of any size.

An annual lease based on the number of bikes in the fleet will allow firms to get branded e-bikes, fleet management software, Bluetooth locking, regular servicing, on-call courtesy bikes and safety training and storage, all without getting grease on their hands.

Charlesworth says they’re already talking to some of Auckland’s largest and most innovative employers.

It’s about building an e-bike culture centred on fun, freedom and personal expression, he says.

“We’re also empowering organisations and individuals to do something about the congestion problem rather than complaining and waiting for the government.”

The main drivers for the venture include parking pressure, the time it takes to get between offices and meetings around town, plus the chance to escape the office at lunchtime for fresh air, exercise and fun, he says.

To encourage more staff to commute, the company is also offering a subscription service – $29 a week for 24 months, plus a joining fee.

“It’s ideal for the daily commute with the added benefit of using the e-bike for weekend pleasure, to the shops or to grab a coffee,” Charlesworth says.

“After 24 months, they own it!”

Employers can consider subsidising the cost through a travel allowance or wellness programme to make it even easier for staff to be rolling on two wheels rather than four.
Big Street Bikers founder Matt Weavers says firms can do more to help solve Auckland’s transport issues.

“With central city carparks costing up to $60 daily, a $29 per week subsidy for staff should be a no-brainer,” he says.

“Big Street Bikes are cheaper than the bus, faster than sitting in traffic and, most importantly, much better for your booty.”

More than 300,000 commuters travel a bikeable 5km daily into the city and, with continued cycleway investment by Auckland Transport and the NZ Transport Agency, e-bikes are an excellent solution to traffic congestion, the company says.

Its e-bikes are tested and tweaked to New Zealand conditions. Most have a 36-volt 300W brushless motor with five-speed pedal assist, a thumb throttle and a 10AH removeable battery.

They come with a 30km-50km range, depending on the number of hills, and can reach more than 35km/h. They also have disc brakes, seven-speed Shimano gears, LED headlights, an intelligent LCD controller, a horn, front suspension and more.

About 36 million e-bikes were sold globally last year, outselling electric cars nearly 300 to one.

Patrick Reynolds, the deputy chairman of transport lobby group Greater Auckland, says e-bikes are the “truly transformational urban technology of our age”.

That’s because they have the power to radically change the shape, performance and economics of cities everywhere, Reynolds says.

Big Street Bikers’ move follows a New Zealand Institute of Economic Research report showing Auckland traffic congestion costs the local economy up to twice as much as previously estimated.

Benefits from Auckland road decongestion put such benefits to the city’s network capacity at $0.9 billion to $1.3 billion (1%mto 1.4% of Auckland’s GDP).

If the average speed across the Auckland network is near or equal to the speed limit (known as free-flow), the estimated benefit on weekdays is $1.4b to $1.9b (1.5% to 2% of Auckland’s GDP).

The report notes that travel times are expected to worsen over the next ten years, despite planned investments to expand the network’s capacity.

Auckland Transport projects that more than a quarter of the arterial network will be congested by the end of this year, with continuing population growth meaning more vehicles on the road each day.

For more information call Andrew Charlesworth on 0274 929929 or email andrew@bigstreetbikers.com.