Founded by Liam Harrison, Pedals Dunedin is a same-day and urgent courier business using specially designed cargo bikes that are capable of carrying up to 90kg of goods.
Brought up in Careys Bay, Mr Harrison later moved to Wellington and worked in the technology sector before recently returning south.
The combination of the hospital build and ongoing roadworks in the central city meant it was becoming an "absolute nightmare" for cars and he saw an opportunity for a delivery service by bike which could cut through heavy traffic.
Friends had such a business in Wellington called Nocar Cargo, which they started about 2015, and he had been talking with them about how they ran their business and the various things they had learned.
Launched on Monday, Pedals Dunedin had got off to a good start and he was "in it for the long haul", Mr Harrison said. The aim was to build up from the team of two cyclists, which included himself.
The bikes were imported from Denmark and e-kits were put on to them in Dunedin; they could reach speeds of more than 50kmh, thanks to their 500-watt motors.
The biggest customer base for urgent deliveries, somewhat ironically, was auto parts. Bike couriers also had a longstanding tradition of serving printers and law firms, a tradition he intended to continue. There was also interest from food and beverage makers, the dental industry, electrical suppliers and "all sorts".
He had an extensive background in cycling, from racing at national level to mountain biking and touring.
"I like bikes," he said.
Dunedin was a compact city to cycle around and a lot of businesses also worked within a very close range, which helped, he said.
