Aquinas College has teamed up with local innovator, UBCO, to trial its electric utility bikes — the company’s first pilot with an NZ school. If successful, the switch to battery power could help fuel Aquinas’ ongoing sustainability drive.

For a month, staff have the use of two UBCO bikes as an alternative to the school’s petrol-powered vehicles. Already, they are proving a faster and more nimble way of navigating Tauranga’s increasingly traffic-logged roads for work-related trips. The trial will weigh the benefit of adding an electric scooter to the school’s vehicle fleet.

Aquinas staff had the chance to try out the no-emission bikes during a presentation by UBCO representatives and Priority One INSTEP last month. (Priority One is an independent organisation focused on growing the Tauranga economy.) UBCO currently employs 70 staff and is just one of the innovative global firms operating in Tauranga — companies that could one day employ Aquinas graduates.

The UBCO 2x2 on-road bikes are proving a hit with Aquinas users. Staff have used them for a myriad of uses — from dashing to Greerton for a student leadership course to travelling to and from home to test the bike’s commuting chops. One staffer even used the bike to patrol the field while on lunch duty!

Feedback has been positive, with staff calling it a quick, easy, and novel way to get around town.

“For us, we see the potential for UBCO bikes to become part of our vehicle fleet long term. They have the benefit of being flexible in their use while being emissions friendly,” said Aquinas Principal Matt Dalton.

Based on the success of its Aquinas event, UBCO is now considering hosting a similar one for Aquinas parents, and potentially, for other schools. It is also exploring the possibility of selling second-hand refurbished UBCO bikes at a lower price tag.