Jump starts in Auckland

Jump by Uber has launched 655 shared dockless electric bikes in Auckland.

Along for the ride were Auckland mayor Phil Goff, Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye, Mercury chief marketing officer Julia Jack and Jump New Zealand general manager Henry Greenacre.

The new transport option for commuters is available via the Uber app.

Aucklanders were offered a safety and riding demonstration in the city centre.

Rolling out the electric bikes is part of Uber’s multimodal approach to transport after it introduced electric scooters in Auckland in January.

The e-bikes are a quick, convenient and sustainable way to get around the city, Goff says.

“Providing easy options for cycling will encourage more Aucklanders to get on bikes, helping

reduce traffic congestion and lower vehicle carbon emissions.

“To achieve our transport and climate change goals it’s important that Aucklanders have a

range of transport options, so they can choose to get around the city without having to

drive. It’s encouraging also that these bikes are powered by green energy.”

Goff adds that cycling is great exercise—”and a lot of fun”.

Kaye says an e-bike share scheme is a great addition to Auckland.

“It enables people to cycle at ease in our city without having to worry about storing their bike. It’s a clean mode of transport too.”

Greenacre says Jump e-bikes is the next step for a country that shares Uber’s commitment to bringing together multiple modes of transport choices, adding it will also help reduce congestion.

“We are excited to work with the Auckland Council to provide a new way to help people move.

Jump is partnering with Mercury to deploy the e-bike fleet across Auckland city.

“Mercury views e-transport as the way of the future,” Jack says.

She says it also helps get more Aucklanders on e-bikes.

The distinctive red bikes made in Portugal use the latest geo-fencing technology and remote monitoring to govern speeds in selected areas and show where each e-bike is parked.

Booking on the app or scanning the QR code, it costs $1 to unlock and 38 cents per minute to ride.

Helmets are provided and users get in-app instructions about how to safely use and park the e-bikes. The e-bikes also have built in cable locks and can be safely secured to bike infrastructure.