Second e-scooter player arrives
Wave delayed its arrival after the high number of Lime accidents.
Wave is the latest e-scooter firm to launch in Auckland.
If Wave’s initial two-week trial is successful, the number of e-scooters available for rent in the city could rise to 2000, and the firm would become the first commercial competitor to current sole operator Lime.
E-scooter safety has been the subject of months of concern, and Lime’s licence was suspended after a glitch caused wheels to lock up and send riders flying over the handlebars.
Wave riders will be able to find, unlock and rent the scooters using an app, in a similar way to how Lime functions.
Auckland Transport (AT) chief executive Shane Ellison said Wave would be trialling speed-limited areas. The scooters have a maximum speed of 25kmh.
‘‘Wave will be restricting its scooters to 15kmh on Queen St, and in the Wynyard Quarter and Viaduct Basin areas.
‘‘This is a good opportunity for us to test slower speeds in areas with lots of people walking.’’
Ellison said there would be a ‘‘three strikes’’ policy for riders breaching the terms and conditions of the service.
Wave will also host pop-up events, run an ambassador programme, and run a ‘‘safe rider of the month’’ award for helmet use and safe riding, he said.
Wave has assured AT it had no reports of brake locking, or any other known issues with its scooters, Ellison said.
Louise Bristow, Wave’s cofounder, said the scooters would cost the same as a Lime to hire – $1 to unlock and 30c per minute – and will be ready to use today.
She said Aucklanders could expect to see 50 Wave scooters on the streets of the CBD and more would be available in the coming days and weeks as the company continued with its ‘‘phase-in approach’’.
Wave was granted a licence by Auckland Council in October to operate 1000 scooters, starting with an initial 500.
The Australia-based firm had been expected to launch in Auckland in late 2018 but company founder Albert Hoeft delayed the rollout because of concerns about the high number of accidents on Lime scooters.
After Lime’s temporary suspension, the company was made the subject of a number of conditions which include it notifying the council and AT ‘‘at most’’ 24 hours after any significant injuries involving its e-scooters.
Lime must also report any other safety issues.