Pink scooters to continue operating in Waimakariri

Pink Flamingo Scooters will continue zipping through towns like Rangiora and Kaiapoi.

The Wellington-based company has been confirmed as Waimakariri district’s e-scooter provider for another three years.

Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said the community has been overwhelmingly positive since the e-scooters were introduced in 2020.

“There has not been much negative feedback and Flamingo has been proactive in engaging with the council. E-Scooter companies could have come here anyway, but because Flamingo has chosen to work with us we have been able to get a better outcome for the community.”

An online survey found two-thirds of respondents supported extending the agreement for the pink scooters to be available in the district.

Gordon said the scooters provided another mode of transport when people were travelling short distances.

“It is a tangible way we can enable innovation that gets people out of cars and reduces emissions. I have used them myself and they are fun to use. It is a fun way of getting around.’’

Flamingo Scooters chief executive Jacksen Love said user surveys found that 73% of users said the scooters made it easier for them to not own or use a motor vehicle. The company has been operating in Waimakariri since December 2020.

There are 150 e-scooters available on the streets in the Waimakariri district and Flamingo Scooters has a licence to operate up to 200. Local people are contracted to look after the e-scooters.

A report prepared by council staff said there were about 85,000 rides on e-scooters over the past 21 months, mostly in Rangiora.

Council staff have referred 26 complaints to Flamingo for scooters blocking pathways, while the company has received 60 complaints from the public over the last 21 months.