Uber's electric bikes are coming to Auckland after the city's council granted the company a six-month licence to operate.
While well-known for its ride-sharing application and food delivery service, Uber also provides two-wheel transport in the form of its JUMP e-bikes, which are expected to arrive in Auckland in early 2020. Auckland will the first Asia-Pacific centre to see the JUMP e-bike rollout.
There will be 655 e-bikes across the city and people will be able to hire them via the Uber application.
The bikes will be the first dockless electric bikes to be licensed in the City of Sails. OnzO has been providing pedal-powered bikes in Auckland since 2017, a scheme which has allowed the Auckland Council to review its Code of Practise for bikes and e-bikes.
JUMP's general manager in New Zealand, Henry Greenacre, said the rollout would give more people options about getting around Auckland.
"JUMP's custom-built e-bikes are an industry-leading, pedal-assisted electric bike with a reputation for safety, rider comfort and durability. They allow you to ride up hills and take longer commutes to work, without breaking a sweat.
"We'll also bring to Auckland our second-generation JUMP e-scooter, with larger wheels, better suspension, a lower centre of gravity, fully hidden brake cables and battery, and an even better braking system. All this makes for a more comfortable and safer ride."
The first generation of JUMP e-scooters already operate in Wellington.
E-scooter company Lime had its fleet of scooters dumped from Auckland last month over safety concerns.
