Locky Docks: free bike parking and e-bike charging in Christchurch

In May 2020 Big Street Bikers switched on Locky Docks, its own brand of bike parking and e-bike charging, at 10 sites in central Christchurch. Under the brand sit Bikeep's e-bike charging stations and platform. Christchurch was the first Locky Dock city, and the stations were laid out as a "village" network, a short ride apart.

Free for riders, free for the city

Christchurch City Council paid nothing for the network. Big Street Bikers paid for everything and covered the cost with advertising on the digital screen at each station. Riders park and charge for free. How that model works is explained in How advertising funds free bike parking.

How it works

• Bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters. The steel docks take regular bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters.
• App or card. Riders lock and unlock with the app, or by tapping a Metro card on the dock.
• Charge while parked. E-bike riders can top up their battery at the dock.
• Free to use. Parking and charging cost nothing.

Wellington next

Within days, Wellington City Councillor Tamatha Paul proposed bringing Locky Docks to Wellington's streets as an answer to the city's e-scooter clutter, Stuff reported. Wellington followed.

A platform for partners

Locky Docks show how Bikeep works as a platform. A partner builds its own brand and business on Bikeep's docks, software and connectivity, and Bikeep keeps the technology running. Big Street Bikers had already worked with Bikeep at Aotea Square in Auckland, and in 2022 it announced 100 more Locky Docks with Mercury at the Big Switch.

Stuff covered the Wellington plans at the time. More on bike parking for cities.