Demonstration bus bike rack installed

A new innovation at Christchurch’s Bus Interchange encourages people to try out placing their bike on a “front-of-bus” bike rack as an option for cycle commuters.

A demonstration bike rack has been installed at the interchange to give cyclists a stress-free environment for their first attempt at placing their bike on the bus bike rack, as agencies aim to encourage cycling in the central city.

Christchurch City Council Transport Operations Manager Aaron Haymes said the demonstration bike stand was a collaborative initiative between the Council, Environment Canterbury and Ōtākaro Limited which provided funding.

The demonstration bike stand allows people to practise loading their bike on and off in a stress-free environment.

“Our figures show the number of people using cycling as a commuting option for work or play in the city is definitely on the rise, particularly in the central city. Sometimes cycling both ways on a trip isn’t an option – whether it be because of weather or timing, or even that the commute home or uphill at the end of the day is just too much.

“Giving people a stress-free environment to have a go at loading their bike on and off the rack may just encourage those who can only commute one way to keep doing that, but use the bus as an option for a return trip or part of a trip.”

All buses on Christchurch’s Metro bus network have bike racks installed, giving people the flexibility to switch easily between the bus and their bike for different parts of their daily travel. The racks are free to use.

Mr Haymes said the chance to practice would give people confidence if they were worried about how easy it would be to mount their bikes on a bus in-service.

“We have three major cycle routes nearing completion in the city by June, and our figures show the number of people who bike on some routes has doubled in the last year, so we’re confident commuter cycling is on the rise in the city. We want to encourage the use of other modes of transport too and this demonstration rack allows cyclists to think “multi-modal” and consider public transport for one leg of their trip.”

The bike rack will be a permanent feature in the Bus Interchange.