Lime to run West Midlands cycle and e-scooter hire

More than 2,000 new bikes and e-scooters are set to hit the streets this April following the appointment of Lime as the region’s latest cycle hire provider.

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has selected Lime, a global leader in micromobility (the collective term for bikes and scooters), to take on management of the official regional hire scheme following a competitive bidding process.

The agreement means that for the first time the scheme will operate at no cost to the taxpayer. Until now cycle hire has cost £1.4m a year to run.

Lime is introducing a new fare structure but has committed to maintain existing overall price levels for the first two years to make sure sustainable travel remains affordable.

Photo: Lime

Both bikes and e-scooters will be available immediately after the launch on April 1 in the areas currently served, but local councils, TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and Lime can also work together to grow the network.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “By bringing in a brand-new fleet of bikes and scooters and freezing prices for the next two years, we’re making sure there’s a practical and affordable green alternative for shorter journeys - helping to tackle traffic congestion and improve the air we breathe.

“And by securing a partnership that operates at no cost to the taxpayer, we are saving the public purse more than £1 million a year. This is money we can now reinvest back into our regional transport, delivering better journeys for everyone.”

Full details are being finalised and will be announced, along with the launch of a new app for customers, closer to the start of the new service.

Tom Newham, Lime Senior Manager of Public Affairs, said: “We’re thrilled to be coming to the West Midlands and to be working with WMCA, whose ambition for active travel has laid strong foundations for expanding shared bikes and e-scooters across the region.

“The West Midlands is well suited and primed for this, with multiple towns and city centres close together and a strong public transport network. Through WMCA’s continued investment in micromobility and supporting infrastructure, there’s a real drive to make e-bikes and e-scooters a popular, practical and affordable choice for getting around.

"From our experience running schemes in towns and cities across the UK, we understand what it takes to run a service people use and rely on every day.  We're looking forward to working with communities in every part of the West Midlands to build a service that’s run locally and works for everyone - whether they ride Lime or not"

Beccy Marston, West Midlands Active Travel Commissioner, said: “This new partnership marks an exciting step forward for active travel in the West Midlands.

“By significantly increasing the number of e-bikes across the region, we’re making it easier for more people to choose a convenient, affordable and sustainable option for short journeys. We’re looking forward to working with Lime to embed the cycle hire scheme alongside our wider active travel interventions and infrastructure improvements.”

As with the existing scheme, Lime e-scooters will be available in Birmingham and on the University of Warwick campus only.