Smooth ride for e-scooter racers in Ponsonby streets
An e-scooter race hosted by an Auckland pub went without a hitch despite controversy around the scooters.
Half a dozen electric-scooter fans gathered at Chapel Bar & Bistro yesterday afternoon for the first Ponsonby Rd Lime Scooter Grand Prix.
Lime’s hire-by-the-minute scooters have sparked controversy after 14 ACC claims in eight days and warnings of possible deaths and injury.
But despite this, and every contestant having to sign a waiver exempting Chapel Bar for any damages, deaths or injuries, no one was hurt in the circuit around Ponsonby back streets.
Chapel Bar owner Luke Dallow told the Herald the race event was a “tongue in cheek” promotion for Heineken Zero, a non-alcoholic lager.
Dallow said the safety of the public was paramount and he had gone to every effort to make the event fun but secure. He had approval from police and Auckland Transport.
The competition was alcohol-free. All contestants had high-visibility vests and helmets and raced at 30-second intervals to avoid crashes.
Winner Chris “Tig” Mansfield brought it home with a time of 3.06, and limped off his scooter with a sore calf muscle after a slog up the Anglesea St hill.
“It was a little bit emotional to be honest,” he said.
Mansfield was followed closely by Blaine Stevenson, who came in at 3:18, and Josh McCormack who finished at 3:54.