8 April 2025: Guardians on bikes

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Safe City Guardians using e-bikes

Enquiry

Can I please ask for a few lines on the new guardian's e-bikes . . . how it extends the patrol area etc.

• What did the bikes cost and how were they funded?
• What prompted their purchase and whose idea was it?
• How long have they been used now?
• How many times have they been used?
• In what ways have they helped so far?
• How fast do they go and what is their range? (I understand four hour charge but what does that mean in kilometres)
• Any general comment as to how the council is increasing its focus on community safety and how the bikes play into that?

Response

FromGroup Manager Destination Development, Jean-Paul Gaston:

What did the bikes cost and how were they funded? What prompted their purchase and whose idea was it?

Council has four e-bikes as part of its fleet and two of these are being used by the Safe City Guardians. The four e-bikes were purchased in December 2018, replacing one fleet car and costing approximately $8700 in total (excluding GST). This was part of council climate action initiatives that included replacing a fleet vehicle with four e-bikes and an e-scooter for staff use.

How long have they been used now?

See above

How many times have they been used?

Fleet bikes are regularly used by some RLC staff. The Safe City Guardians use e-bikes one to two times a week, weather and staffing numbers permitting. Patrols cover the CBD, Fenton Park, Glenholme, Victoria, Ohinemutu and Sanitorium Reserve.

In what ways have they helped so far?

See below in general comments

How fast do they go and what is their range?

How many kilometres per full battery charge is dependent on various factors. Our Guardians use the bikes at a speed that is safe for patrolling and enables them to look around. They may also stop at various times during the course of a patrol.

General comment re increasing focus on community safety and how the bikes contribute:

Using the e-bikes enables the Safe City Guardians to cover a wider area and they’ve had positive feedback from the community while out patrolling.

As per the update provided to the C&DD Committee in March: The Safe City Guardians also now patrol Ngongotaha and Eastside hubs as part of extending community safety efforts across Rotorua city, travelling out to the suburbs by bus.

The focus of Council’s community safety plan remains on collaboration with partners including police and Māori Wardens through the Inner City Community Safety Hub.

Work is progressing to expand our CCTV network and we are also continuing to review bylaws and policies that contribute to community safety and reduce harm eg Local Alcohol Policy.

Rotorua Police Area Commander Inspector Herby Ngawhika told the Committee additional police anticipated locally in future would enable increased focus on community policing work. Last year Rotorua police appointed a second CBD-based community constable.