Onzo bikes being used as getaway vehicles, fireworks props and bus stop 'art'

Monday, 12 November 2018

One Onzo user in Wellington has used one of the new dockless bikes as a launching pad for fireworks.

Getaway vehicles for petty criminals, props for mobile fireworks displays, and installation 'art' – it appears the uses of Onzos are endless in the creative capital.

Onzo, a dockless bike sharing system, is in the second month of a six-month trial in Wellington. But rather than simply using the bikes for their intended purpose – to provide a clean, affordable way for people to get around – some Wellingtonians have been putting theirs to work in other ways.

On Sunday, Police confirmed they had received a report of tagging on Manners St about 1am where the alleged offender left on an Onzo bike.

Angie Love saw this Onzo bike atop a bus shelter on her way into work in Wellington.

Police were still looking into the matter, and planned to speak with the 'owner of the bike', a spokesperson said.

**READ MORE:

Wellingtonians appear to be using their creativity in unusual ways when it comes to Onzos. This bike has had its handlebars 'modified'.

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Onzo bikes on private property on Abel Smith St in Wellington.

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Chris Wooding saw this Onzo bike 200 metres up a driveway in the Wellington suburb of Mt Cook.

Video appearing to show a cyclist launching fireworks from the basket of his Onzo as he cycled along a Wellington street was also posted to Facebook this past week.

Police had not received any complaints about this incident, but said there were several potential offences associated with setting off fireworks this way, including endangerment.

Fourteen people used Onzo bikes to battle their way up Mount Victoria in 'dramatic' weather conditions on October 27.

'The primary concern would be for the safety of the person riding the bicycle and anyone nearby.'

Angie Love came across an Onzo atop a bus shelter on her way to work on Sunday morning. The photo was also shared on Facebook, with one commenter joking that it was 'art'.

In late October, Onzo user Chris Wooding said he had became frustrated looking for one to ride around the suburbs of Mt Cook and Newtown, and he believed people were keeping the bikes locked on private property.

'We looked for over an hour with quite some considerable walking. Every single one was in someone's property,' he said.

'There was one group of apartments that had around seven but we couldn't actually visibly see them. They were definitely in there, by the GPS.'

Liam Harrison, a cycling enthusiast not affiliated with Onzo, organised an Onzo bike challenge to ascend Mt Victoria on the one-speed bikes. More than a thousand expressed interest on Facebook.

'On the day it was very dramatic conditions, so only the hardiest 14 came out.'

He has plans for more events, such as a ride around the bays, a photo scavenger hunt, and the possibility of speed dating at the velodrome, he said.

'We might have to work out the logistics of that [last] one.'

Wellington Mayor Justin Lester said he thought the Onzo trial was going 'incredibly well'.

'It's exceeded all expectations. It's great to see a number of people using it, literally thousands [of trips] a day, particularly around the commuting time.'

He had heard of young people wearing Onzo helmets out to nightclubs.

'That's not ideal, I prefer they use them on the bikes.'

Lester said he thought it was 'highly likely' that Onzos would stay in Wellington after the trial: 'It's a good, cheap, quick and healthy way for people to get around.'

He had 'heard a couple of anecdotes' about people keeping bikes near their places of work, but didn't think hoarding was a big problem.

Onzo chief growth officer Min Kyu Jung said though it was still early days, the trial was going well.

'The vast majority of feedback has been positive. Some people want more bikes and some people thought the bikes were too small.'

He said the next shipment would have bigger bikes, and Onzo's agreement with the council limited the trial fleet to 200.

Onzo hadn't received any particular reports about people hoarding bikes, but Jung said it was something the company was aware of.

He said of the 200, so far about 20 of those had needed repairs, and some of those were 'irreversibly damaged'. In those cases, bikes were scrapped.