New guide to encourage e-bike use

22 August 2019

A new employer e-bike purchase support guide aims to help employers make it easier for their staff to buy e-bikes through discounted bulk purchases and reducing upfront costs.

The NZ Transport Agency, in partnership with the Sustainable Business Network, launched the guide in Wellington today.

“E-bikes are a great example of how the way people get around is changing. They contribute to lower carbon emissions, less congestion and cheaper travel,” Transport Agency Senior Manager, Operational Policy, Planning and Performance, Vanessa Browne says.

“Employer e-bike purchase support schemes help many more people to buy e-bikes by addressing the barrier of an upfront cost.”

Purchase support schemes work through employers negotiating a discount from an e-bike supplier and then using a financing arrangement to reduce the upfront cost of the purchase.

The guide provides private businesses and organisations with information on employer e-bike purchase support schemes and how to implement a scheme for their employees.

“E-bikes attract a much broader range of people compared to bikes and are a very convenient mode in busy urban centres,” Ms Browne says.

Rachel Brown, CEO of the Sustainable Business Network, says that action on improving our impact on the environment and the link with how that improves our personal health is gathering momentum.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of businesses interested in supporting their staff to buy e-bikes which is why we worked with the Transport Agency to produce this resource. The e-bikes guide is absolutely designed to help those businesses,” Ms Brown says.

“I ride an e-bike everywhere in Auckland. They are a great way to get around. I get to meetings on time and no longer turn up shattered by the ride there anymore – and it’s often faster than taking a car! They’re easy to use, incur minimal running costs, lower carbon and they help make our towns and cities safer and less polluted for us all.”

The Transport Agency and the Sustainable Business Network encourage all business and organisations to check out the guide at: www.nzta.govt.nz/employer-e-bike-purchase-support

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

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• Twitter: twitter.com/nzta_news

• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

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