Lime e-scooter share is now expanding to downtown Vancouver | Daily Hive

Lime e-scooter share is now expanding its service area to downtown Vancouver

Lime e-scooter share devices on the Vancouver Convention Centre seawall's bike lane in downtown Vancouver. (Lime)

Another geographical expansion phase of Lime’s e-scooter public share system in Vancouver is moving forward, with the latest phase bringing the service to where demand is likely greatest — downtown Vancouver.

In September 2024, Lime first launched in Vancouver in the Hastings-Sunrise and Grandview-Woodland neighbourhoods, located in the northeast corner of the city.

Then this past winter, it expanded into the Strathcona and Mount Pleasant areas.

And today, the municipal government and the company jointly announced its e-scooter share system will roll into the downtown Vancouver peninsula this spring. This week, installation will begin on Lime e-scooter parking stations across the downtown Vancouver area.

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According to the City, the parking stations in downtown Vancouver’s more complex urban environment were strategically selected in collaboration with the municipal government and feedback from local businesses and residents.

Although Lime is best known for its free-floating shared devices, the system it has launched in Vancouver is the micro-mobility giant’s first of its kind globally. This unique approach was developed in response to the municipal government’s requirement for docked parking stations — aimed at addressing safety issues and reducing street clutter seen in other cities.

Lime e-scooter share station in Vancouver. (Lime)

lime e-scooter parking station vancouver 2

Lime’s very first locking docking parking station in the world, located at the intersection of Eton Street and North Garden Drive for Vancouver’s e-scooter share service. (Lime)

“All of us at Lime are thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to bring shared e-scooters to downtown Vancouver through this milestone expansion in sustainable transportation in the city. This launch wouldn’t be possible without the strong partnership and collaboration alongside the City of Vancouver, local communities and businesses,” said Sonia Kandola, senior director of government relations at Lime, in a statement today.

“In Vancouver, our approach has always been rooted in community, including building a local team that understands the city’s needs. We’re excited to continue supporting Vancouver with innovative, people-first mobility options that truly make a difference.”

Since the initial launch last September, Lime’s Vancouver system has recorded over 33,000 trips and 6,000 riders, with the milestone of the first 10,000 trips recorded in early November.

Combined with more optimal weather conditions in the forthcoming spring and summer months, Lime could see significant ridership and user growth with its latest expansion in downtown Vancouver, where demand for such services is highest.

Lime’s e-scooter share phased service expansion in Vancouver from Summer 2024 to 2025. (Lime)

Lime riders must wear a helmet, be at least 18 years old, and follow a maximum speed limit of 25 km/hr. The company’s e-scooter system includes features such as slow and no-ride zones, helmet provisions, pre-ride helmet selfies, sidewalk detection, and a training mode.

Vancouver permits the operation of e-scooters on streets with speed limits of 50 km/hr or under, greenways, bikeways, bike lanes, and seawall/park paths where bikes are allowed. Sidewalk riding is not permitted.

“I am thrilled for the expansion of the shared e-scooter system, which will add even more sustainable transportation options downtown,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. “This expansion marks the next important step towards growing into a city-wide program, offering a safe, convenient, affordable, and emissions-free way to get around Vancouver.”

After conducting a bidding process, the municipal government in July 2024 selected Lime to design, launch, and operate the e-scooter share system, complementing but also competing with the city’s existing Mobi bike share system. The municipal government is not providing Lime with any funding; the company is responsible for all capital and operating costs, including reimbursing the potential parking revenue of curbside vehicle parking spaces used for the e-scooter share stations.

Lime holds an initial five-year contract, which can be renewed for three additional five-year terms for a total of up to 20 years. Lime intends to expand city-wide in gradual phases.

Lime’s e-scooter share phased service expansion in Vancouver over five years starting in Summer 2024. (Lime)

To date, Lime has been the most common operator of choice for shared micromobility services for local governments in Metro Vancouver.

The company already operates e-scooter and e-bike share services for Coquitlam and Richmond. It also operates e-bike share services in the District of West Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, and the Squamish Nation’s reserves.

In August 2024, under a partnership with the City of New Westminster, Lime launched an e-bike share service in the downtown New Westminster and Uptown areas.

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