Sustainable commuting

The University strives to ensure we have safe and secure parking for students and staff using bikes and scooters. Since 2018, we have initiated several projects to transform existing carpark areas and other appropriate spaces into secure bike stores. We now have nine communal bike store locations, with access automatically granted to all students and staff members. Accommodation buildings also have designated bike and scooter storage facilities for residents. 

End of trip facilities are also a priority. We are committed to retrofitting showers, lockers, and drying rooms into existing buildings where appropriate, and planning to support active transport modes in all new developments. This is aligned with our commitment to develop our campuses as sustainable ecosystems that are welcoming and accessible for all users.

For the past eight years, University staff have been encouraged to give cycling a go in the month of February through the Aotearoa Bike Challenge. This friendly workplace competition is organised by Love to Ride New Zealand, and supported by local councils across the country. With over nine hundred university participants to date, the challenge boosts our sustainable commuting rates over the summer months and inspires some staff to get into the habit of commuting by bike all year round. With a student category recently added to the online platform, we are seeking ways to promote the challenge through our summer school courses and student population more broadly.  

The University organises safety checks for all types of bikes, as well as e-scooters. Standard bike checks are offered as part of the Aotearoa Bike Challenge in February. Facilities Management also offers special safety checks for e-bikes and e-scooters twice a year. These checks are done inside the bike stores, and focus on battery voltage, discharge current and charger safety; bolts, headset bearing and wheel bearing; brake pads and chain wear; and minor brake and other adjustments if required. 

To encourage more staff into e-biking, in 2020 the University negotiated a partnership with Electric Bike Team, centrally located on East Street, and only a kilometre away from our City, Grafton and Newmarket campuses. Simply by showing their campus card, staff can enjoy $300 off the store's range of eZee electric bicycles (including cargo bikes) and $150 off all other electric bicycles. There are more benefits outlined on the store's website.