The leading electric rental scooter service, Lime, is coming to Vancouver next month.
The City of Vancouver says, starting this week, you might see Lime crews installing 29 parking stations throughout the Hastings-Sunrise and Grandview-Woodland neighbourhoods, ahead of the official launch on Sept. 12.
Lime’s electric scooters can be rented using an app, and the rate is charged per minute. In a “North American first,” the city says the scooters must be picked up and dropped off at the parking stations.
Other rules for riding include:
- Riders must be at least 18 years of age;
- Only one rider per scooter is allowed;
- Helmets are required by B.C. provincial law;
- Riders must yield to pedestrians;
- And riding on sidewalks is not allowed.
The decision to partner with Lime Technology Inc. reportedly comes after “a rigorous evaluation process.”
The city says the agreement it has signed with Lime is for an initial five-year term. The city will have the option to extend if it so chooses.
Similar to bike-share programs, like the Mobi by Rogers program already in place in Vancouver, e-scooters aim to grow the shared mobility network in the city.
According to officials, the e-scooter system is expected to be “cost-neutral” to the city, adding that Lime is responsible for designing, implementing, running, and maintaining the system during the contract period.
They add that the city and company will work together to increase safety through measures like the creation of slow and no-ride zones, sidewalk detection, a “training” mode, as well as sobriety testing and education.
Lime says it also provides a free, on-demand, accessible vehicle alternative for people with other mobility needs.