A six month eScooter trial will be rolled out across Waimakariri from November, Waimakariri District Council has announced.
Council says two community training days will be offered this weekend, in preparation for the trial.
“To mark the start of a six-month trial of commercial hire e-scooters in Waimakariri, Flamingo Scooters are offering community training days this weekend for anyone wishes to learn how to use the scooters or simply enjoy a free ride,” Council said in a statement.
The Flamingo Scooter Community Training Days will be held on:
- Rangiora – Saturday 30 October | 10am to 1pm
Rangiora Service Centre Carpark - Kaiapoi – Sunday 31 October | 10am to 1pm
Charles Street ‘Park and Ride’ Site (next to New World)
From November until April next year, Flamingo Scooters will be available for hire across Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend and Pegasus. The e-scooters will be able to travel most places within the natural town boundaries and between Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Woodend using the Passchendaele Memorial Path and Rangiora-Woodend Path.
Vanessa Thompson, Business and Centres Advisor, says the trial will allow the Council to explore the impact of commercial hire e-scooters on public spaces and to see if there’s a place for this technology as an alternative transport solution.
“One potential benefit is that the successful uptake of e-scooters alongside other alternative transport options, could help alleviate pressure on town centre car parking and reduce transport emissions,” she said.
Selwyn District Council held a similar trial in 2019, which was deemed successful after 22,000 e-scooter trips were taken throughout the trial’s duration and permits were issued to both Lava and Lime to continue operating commercial hire e-scooters.
Council staff have already discussed the trial with local accessibility, youth and older person groups. Some of their feedback has been incorporated into the trial with the inclusion of speed restrictions and no-go zones in busy pedestrian areas
Flamingo Scooters will be responsible for covering the infrastructure and operational costs.
More information about the trial and answers for frequently asked questions can be found at waimakariri.govt.nz/scooters
