A few years back we highlighted the introduction of Locky Docks public lockable bike stands to Christchurch. Since then, more sites have rolled out around the city. One of the latest additions has been a set of new Locky Dock stands at New World in St Martins, replacing the relatively small set of bike stands previously there.
The other day, my partner and I needed to pick up just a few things from the supermarket so we figured we would bike there and try out the new Locky Docks. Perhaps not surprisingly, being newbies to the system, it took a little figuring out the process. But they proved to be a relatively straightforward way to safely lock our bikes, without needing any bike locks of our own.
To use a Locky Dock in Christchurch, you simply need either:
- a current MetroCard bus card, or
- to download the Bikeep app (Apple or Android) to your phone
(no, you don’t get charged anything via your bus card or app – it’s all free!)
When you get to a Locky Dock site, find an empty stand, hopefully showing as unlocked with the green padlock on the top of the post (we did find one empty one there that was actually locked for some reason). Then just do the following steps:
- Swing open the red locking arm and roll your bike in to the right of the post.
- Either hold your bus card on the top of the post, or use the Bikeep app to scan the QR code on the post
- Swing the locking arm back around and fit it around your frame (you might need to jiggle your bike back or forth to get it lined up right). Once it’s lined up, give it a firm push to click in and the red padlock should show on the top.
- Voila, your bike is now safely locked!
When you return to your bike, simply either tap the bus card again on top or use the app to release the bike. When the green padlock shows, lift the locking arm and wheel your bike away.
It’s great to see a growing number of the Locky Dock facilities both here in Christchurch and many other locations around the country (you can even request a new set of Locky Docks near your business or organisation). If you haven’t already, give it a go!
Have you tried one of the Locky Docks around Christchurch?
They are great, for some bikes but not all, eg cargo bikes, it’s a shame that they didn’t have both, some more standard ones where you bring your own lock as well as the locky docks. Now whenever I go to New World with the cargo bike I just have to lock up by the door instead…. Maybe I should just start taking a carpark instead haha
These are not really the answer, and im no keyboard warrior, creator and head of stolen bikes Christchurch and Canterbury, and I personally feel these are being rolled out as the one fix, but they only work with 40% of actively used bikes in the areas they are, are about as secure as a cable lock, and are actually not being put where they are needed, with priority for high profile location that don’t actively have a bike theft problem, and none where the bike theft problem is bad. We as a city can do better.
Would you trust your car’s security to some third party device?
No, thanks – this is one of those “we spent a lot of money on something for a small percentage of cyclists”
I’ve used this a couple of times at the NW, although I find it faster and more convenient to simply use my own bike lock rather than faffing around with a phone and app. It would be good if there was a hook or something on the Locky Docks to use a normal bike lock on them. I see the appeal but it is unfortunate that the old bike parking area was taken away to make way for the Locky Docks.
I shared the same frustration and then was given a lucky dock swipe card. I keep it in my easily accessible bike pack side pocket and it’s WAY quicker than fiddling with a lock or your phone for the app. Send locky docks an email and they’ll post you one for free!
This does seem like an unnecessarily extravagant way to encourage cycling. I ride everywhere and take a lock wherever I go. It’s mildly annoying when I go somewhere and find only locky docks. I wonder how few cyclists don’t have a lock? And how many analogue bike racks could be installed for the cost of a locky dock?
Just to clarify who pays for these- Locky Docks aren’t funded from taxes or rates – the company puts them in for free in exchange for advertising rights. You can’t see it in the photos but there’ll be an electronic billboard somewhere nearby playing ads which funds the bike stands. (someone correct me if that’s not right!)
I’m not a huge fan of these – they’re awkward to use with my larger city bike. Some normal stands would be appreciated.
Some useful feedback from some people! I can sympathise with the issue regarding cargo bikes; that is a niche that is difficult to cater for using any kind of bike stand (mind you, if you have an expensive, free-standing cargo bike, you will probably also have yourself a decent lock for it…). If you’re worried about the time to lock/unlock, just use your bus card to do it quicker (today I learned that even bus cards like Akld AT Hop Cards work in Chch as well!). Regarding security, assuming that they’re securely locked (red padlock) I’m not aware of any bikes being stolen from Locky Docks.
I love these and use them often. Hope we will get many more.