Researchers at the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland have received Waka Kotahi
Innovation funding for a project that aims to encourage suburban commuters to use scooters, bikes and e-bikes to connect
to public transport, rather than their car.
Park and ride facilities were not so long ago considered an innovative and sustainable travel option, allowing those
living in the outer suburbs of a city to connect with public transport.
They have become popular, but too popular; the parking lots are always full, commuters trying to get into them are
causing traffic jams in surrounding areas, and it’s increasingly recognised that the valuable land currently used for
such large carparks could be put to better use.
“Car trips to and from public transport are among the highest polluting vehicle trips,” says principal investigator Dr
Tim Welch. “Often, these trips by car are under five kilometres, begin with a cold engine and are driven at slower
speeds – all of which equate to higher rates of pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions. Bikes or scooters would easily
replace those short car trips.”
The project will involve setting up a station-based micro mobility hub, with e-scooters, e-bikes, and powered bike racks
within a 3-minute walk of a station, or a ten-minute ride from the station. The six-month trial will be done at Panmure
rail station and bus interchange.
“The idea of micro mobility hubs is new to New Zealand, but they have been successfully implemented in other countries,
such as in the Netherlands, in the UK, and in the US,” says Dr Welch. “The aim of the project will determine how
effective they could be here.”
The project will be done in collaboration with Beam, a multinational provider of shared e-scooters and e-bikes which has
operated in New Zealand since 2019, and Big Street Bikers, which installs and maintains electric and app-driven secure
bike racks, LockyDock, and has done so in five centres around New Zealand.
The project is also being done in collaboration with the Micromobility Research Partnership (MRP), a global partnership
that undertakes collaborative research projects to educate stakeholders about more sustainable transport choices.
The technologies and apps used in the trial will be integrated into the participants' app ecosystems and Auckland
Transport's mobile app,. The project will also involve data collection from user surveys, observation, and through data
sharing between collaborating partners.
The hub will include the installation of a container that will accommodate the equipment, provide shelter and space for
repairing scooters and bikes, with solar panels to draw power for e-bike charging. In addition to the primary
micromobility hub, a series of mini-hubs will extend the reach of the hub network beyond the rail station areas.
Why Panmure Station? Panmure is one of the more ethnically diverse suburbs in Auckland, says Dr Welch, and like many
suburban rail stations and bus interchanges, its car parks are heavily used. “However, many car trips could be
substituted with e-scooter, e-bike and pushbike trips if residents were able to easily access or securely park them.”
The project aims to solve what is known as the ‘last and first mile’ problem around public transport, not by reinventing
the wheel, but using technologies that exist but aren’t typically available in the outer suburbs.
“The innovation of this project is greater than the individual technologies – it’s about using what does exist but
making it more available for communities outside the central city.”
Dr Welch, who has nearly 20 years of experience teaching, researching and consulting on transportation behaviour, will
be working alongside University colleagues Dr Mohsen Mohammadzadeh from the Urban Planning department and Dr Subeh
Chowdury, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
This project will be the first of its kind for both Auckland and the rest of the country says Andrew Charlesworth,
co-founder of Big Street Bikes: “It combines all the key elements making it easier for people to choose other transport
options, instead of defaulting to the car.
“We know people are crying out for change on how they spend their time and money, and also want to play their part in
tackling climate change.”
Says Frederick Conquer, head of sustainability, Beam New Zealand. “Since Beam launched, we’ve focused on delivering
safe, sustainable shared micromobility services to New Zealand. Over the past year our main objective is to improve
accessibility to a broader range of riders and communities. This project with help encourage active transport in an
under-served area of the city, and support the wider public transport system.”