Lets Talk About e-Scooters

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Consultation has concluded

We've approved a six-month trial of e-scooters in the Waimakariri District. From November 2021 until April 2022, up to 400 Flamingo e-scooters will be available for hire across Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend and Pegasus.

It's hoped that this trial will help the Council collect usage data and take a proactive, well-planned approach in managing any impact of this technology on public spaces. Similar trials have been successfully held in other Districts elsewhere in the country, including Selwyn with over 22,000 e-scooter trips taken during their trial.

We've already discussed the trial with local accessibility, youth and older person groups. Some of their concerns and feedback have been incorporated into the trial with the inclusion of speed restrictions and no-go zones in our busiest pedestrian areas.

Flamingo Scooters are responsible for covering the infrastructure and operational costs. If you have any problems with the service or want to report an incident with an e-scooter, please contact Flamingo Scooters at hello@flamingoscooters.com or phone 0800 FLAMINGO

The trial is now in its fourth month and we’re keen to hear from the community as to how they think the trial is progressing.

We’d love to hear your thoughts so encourage you to complete our short survey via the link below.

Community feedback will be included in the trial report that will be brought back to the Community Boards and Council for a decision on the future of commercial e-scooters in the District in April 2022.

We've approved a six-month trial of e-scooters in the Waimakariri District. From November 2021 until April 2022, up to 400 Flamingo e-scooters will be available for hire across Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend and Pegasus.

It's hoped that this trial will help the Council collect usage data and take a proactive, well-planned approach in managing any impact of this technology on public spaces. Similar trials have been successfully held in other Districts elsewhere in the country, including Selwyn with over 22,000 e-scooter trips taken during their trial.

We've already discussed the trial with local accessibility, youth and older person groups. Some of their concerns and feedback have been incorporated into the trial with the inclusion of speed restrictions and no-go zones in our busiest pedestrian areas.

Flamingo Scooters are responsible for covering the infrastructure and operational costs. If you have any problems with the service or want to report an incident with an e-scooter, please contact Flamingo Scooters at hello@flamingoscooters.com or phone 0800 FLAMINGO

The trial is now in its fourth month and we’re keen to hear from the community as to how they think the trial is progressing.

We’d love to hear your thoughts so encourage you to complete our short survey via the link below.

Community feedback will be included in the trial report that will be brought back to the Community Boards and Council for a decision on the future of commercial e-scooters in the District in April 2022.

Consultation has concluded

  • Why have a six-month trial?

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    The trial presents an opportunity to explore the impact of commercial hire e-scooters on public spaces and to assess whether there is a place for this technology in the District 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.

    Scooter use is regulated in New Zealand by Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency). The Council currently has no legal way to prevent a commercial company commencing scooter operations in the District. Because of this, the Council decided to take a proactive approach to managing the presence of scooters on our roads/streets and to work with the companies to create an environment which best manages their service.

    The six-month trial will provide us with a large amount of usage data and community feedback to help our Council make a considered decision about the future of commercial e-scooters in the Waimakariri District. Similar trials in other Districts have been shown to be positive for the local area.

  • How do the e-scooters work?

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    Riders must download the Flamingo Scooters App from either the Apple App or Google Play stores to access the e-scooters. The Flamingo Scooters App provides a way for riders to sign up, complete training courses, find and unlock e-scooters, report problems and contact customer support.

    Typical e-scooter hire hours are between 7am and 9pm. However, some e-scooters will be available for public hire 24/7 depending on whether they need overnight charging or not.

    Users will be charged $1 to unlock the scooter, then 45c per minute of use. Riders will need to be over the age of 18.

    Geo-fencing enables a range of restrictions to be applied to e-scooter use, such as the inclusion of speed-limits or no-go areas in some of our busier pedestrian areas.

    To find out more about Flamingo Scooters, please visit their website.

  • Where can the e-scooters go?

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    The e-scooters will be able to travel nearly everywhere that falls within the natural town boundaries of Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend and Pegasus.

    They will also be able to travel between Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Woodend using the Passchendaele Memorial Cycle Path and Rangiora-Woodend Cycle Path.

  • What safety precautions will be in place?

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    Council staff have worked with Flamingo Scooters to put some additional safety measures in place for the six month trial.

    Speed Restrictions

    In many of our town centres and busy pedestrian areas, the e-scooters will be speed-restricted to 15km/h.

    Geo-Fenced areas

    No-go zones include areas outside the natural town boundaries as well as some specific streets:

    • Rangiora - High Street between Durham and Ivory Street
    • Rangiora - Rangiora Airfield
    • Kaiapoi - Marine Pontoons & Wharf area
    • Woodend - Main North Road north of Chinnerys Road
    • Woodend - Main North Road south of Rangiora-Woodend Road.
    • Pegasus - West of the Mapleham Drive/Te Haunui Lane intersection (initial six weeks)
    • Pegasus - Main North Road / Pegasus Roundabout (initial six weeks)

    Parking

    While e-scooters can be parked in most locations, the Council has designated preferred parking areas in each town which will be shown on the Flamingo App. Some busier areas such as Conway Lane in Rangiora will not allow e-scooter parking.

    Scooter riders are required to take a photo of their parked e-scooter and upload it to Flamingo’s app before they can finish their riding experience. The photo is then assessed by their staff as ‘acceptable’ or ‘unacceptable’. Unacceptable ratings include e-scooters that have been parked: blocking a footpath, emergency utilities or general entrances. If a rider parks an e-scooter inappropriately, then they are required to complete an in-App training video providing more parking training. Riders who continue to violate parking rules will have their accounts suspended or cancelled.

    Age Restriction

    Riders are required to be over 18 years of age to access the Flamingo Scooter service without parental supervision.

  • How do I Report Misuse?

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    If you observe scooter misuse or dangerous riding behaviour please note the time and location. Contact Flamingo Scooters on 0800 FLAMINGO or hello@flamingoscooters.co.nz who can investigate further and suspend rider accounts if required.

  • What happens after the trial?

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    Council Staff will complete a report following the trial providing a comprehensive assessment based on data collected from Flamingo’s platform, general trial observations and community feedback received during the trial.

    If the trial is considered a success, the report may include a recommendation to continue hire e-scooters in the District on a semi-permanent basis through the issuing of annual operating permits to selected providers.