NEWS RELEASE 100 more free locking, charging ‘Locky Docks’ to roll out nationwide 23 November 2022 – Mercury is supporting Big Street Bikers to supercharge its network of Locky Docks – free secure parking and charging stations for bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters. A hundred more Locky Docks will be rolled out across Aotearoa. Mercury General Manager Sustainability Lucie Drummond says, “Mercury has been a cornerstone partner of Big Street Bikers since day one, as we recognise transport is New Zealand’s biggest opportunity to reduce emissions – and our sector can help with that. “We’re excited to help get more Kiwis on to bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters, as convenient and cleaner ways to get around, as the network expands.” Analysis of the 10 existing Locky Docks in Christchurch by consultancy Sense Partners found they contributed to 250,000 fewer vehicle kilometres travelled, 58 tonnes of CO² abated and $1.7-$2.3 million in physical benefits annually. Big Street Bikers Co-founder Cleve Cameron says Locky Docks are “mode shift machines”. “The wayfinding and secure storage Locky Docks provide makes them an excellent complement to improving cycling infrastructure. By making it safe, secure and normal to bike to more regularly, we can accelerate climate action and enhance the wellbeing of our streets.” Sense Partners Economist Shamubeel Eaqub says expansion of the network can bring proportionally greater benefits. “Based on our analysis, the next 100 Locky Docks could reduce vehicle kilometres travelled by 2.5 million kilometres a year,” he says. “The Locky Dock network also provides exceptional value – $1.50 (at our most conservative measure), up to $4.60 for every $1 of cost (at our most optimistic). That comes from reduced car operating costs, reduced pollution costs, health benefits from cycling and more.” The next 100 Locky Docks are planned for existing locations, Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Christchurch and new locations, such as Tauranga, Whakatane, Napier, New Plymouth, Wairarapa and Dunedin. About Locky Docks • •
Locky Docks are public parking and charging stations for bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters. Each station has a screen displaying safe cycling routes to make commuting easier and CCTV cameras for extra security.
They are locked and unlocked using the Bikeep app which is available at https://lockydock.co.nz/. ENDS
Appendix: The Big Switch – event this Friday There’s a big switch happening in the way people move around our cities. It’s the switch from streets made for cars to streets made for people. Importantly, it involves people to be part of this positive change and flick The Big Switch. Sir Bob Harvey, Chairman of Big Street Bikers, and Mercury invite media to join Hon. Michael Wood, Minister of Transport at the launch of The Big Switch to support safer, healthier, carbon free streets across Aotearoa. When: 5-7pm, Friday, 25th November Where: Big Street Bikers Showroom, 312 Karangahape Rd, Tāmaki Makaurau Style: afterwork cocktails with music to follow Please save the date and RSVP. For more information about Mercury please contact: Catherine Gaffaney Communication Manager 027 210 5337 media@mercury.co.nz For more information about Big Street Bikers please contact: Anna Dean Communications 0211527232 anna@bigstreetbikers.co.nz For more information about Sense Partners please contact: Shamubeel Eaqub Partner 021 573 218 shamubeel@sense.partners ABOUT MERCURY NZ LIMITED We generate electricity from 100% renewable sources – hydro, geothermal and wind. We also sell electricity, gas, broadband and mobile services to our customers through our retail brands – Mercury, Trustpower and GLOBUG. We’re listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange and the Australian Stock Exchange with foreign exempt listed status. We’re listed on both exchanges with the ticker symbol ‘MCY’. The New Zealand Government (the Crown) holds a legislated 51% shareholding in the Company. Visit us at: www.mercury.co.nz ABOUT BIG STREET BIKERS There’s a movement underway, with electric bikes outnumbering car imports. To meet this demand, we are delivering free public secure parking, charging and wayfinding docks — called Locky Docks. We are in partnership with the government, iwi, councils, brands and community groups to make The Big Switch to the electric life here in New Zealand. ABOUT SENSE PARTNERS
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Sense Partners is a boutique consultancy. We are experienced economists with backgrounds in modelling, public policy, regulatory affairs and economic assessments. Our expertise includes regulatory economics, cost benefit analysis, economic modelling, energy, climate change policy, and housing and urban development.
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