Bike Pods Are On Their Way

One more barrier is about to be removed for cyclists in New Plymouth with the installation of a central-city bike pod.

The pod can take up to 10 bikes at a time and will have secure lockers available, for the use of workers in the city.

“We have surveyed central-city workers and one clear message we received was that more people would bike into work if there was secure storage for their bikes and gear, which their workplaces can’t provide,” says Let’s Go Project Manager Carl Whittleston.

“This bike pod that we’re installing next week is the first of up to four for our district.”

The bike pod will be sited on Ariki Street outside Centre City. The pod will be open from 4pm to 6pm on Monday (30 January) for people to have a look, register to use it, and get maps on the best on-road and off-road route options into the CBD.

The pod will be available for use from 1 February on a six-month trial.

“We want to know what users think of the bike pod and to see if having this facility does encourage more people to switch from cars to bikes for travelling to work in the city,” says Mr Whittleston.

By the end of March bike pods will be installed next to the Bus Centre on Ariki Street, and the Waitara Memorial Hall for a bus park-and-ride scheme. A fourth location in the city’s CBD is yet to be confirmed and will be subject to demand.

People can register to use the bike pods through the Let’s Go website (letsgo.org.nz), by contacting the Council on 06-759 6060 or emailing enquiries@npdc.govt.nz, or by popping into the Civic Centre on Liardet Street.

The bike pods are designed by Chapman Oulsnam Speirs Limited and built by Meco Engineering.