New LimeBike to launch in West Midlands

Mayor Richard Parker has taken a look at the new ebikes and e-scooters which will be rolled out across the West Midlands next month.

Lime bikes will be available from April 1 in Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull, and will soon be available in Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall.

Lime is taking over from the current cycle hire and e-scooter providers and the West Midlands becomes Lime’s second largest geographically (behind London), providing the region’s 3 million population with a convenient, sustainable and affordable form of transport.

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

Lime is introducing its next-generation LimeBike to the West Midlands meaning it will be the first UK region where the fleet will consist entirely of the new model of e-bike.

The rollout comes as the West Midlands is making unprecedented investment, including a recent £36m Active Travel Fund award, in new cycling and walking routes and schemes to help more people choose active travel for everyday journeys.

Tom Newham (Lime), Beccy Marston (WM Active Travel Commissioner) and Mayor Richard Parker with the new ebikes

The Mayor said: “This new partnership makes us the first UK region to host a full fleet of Lime’s latest e-bikes, giving our people a world-class service across our towns and cities.

“Along with our ongoing investment in safe cycle routes, this will make it easier for people to choose cycling as an accessible, affordable and sustainable alternative to the car for shorter journeys and help us improve air quality and cut traffic congestion.”

He was joined by Beccy Marston, the West Midlands Active Travel Commissioner, for a preview peek at the new ebike model.

She said: “This partnership is a big win for active travel in the West Midlands—more bikes means easier, greener short trips, with an e-boost to flatten hills and opens up cycling for far more people. By expanding the fleet geography, we’re making travel more convenient, affordable and accessible, and we’re excited to build a collaborative partnership with Lime to keep improving the choices people have to get around.”

Tom Newham, Lime senior manager of public affairs, Lime UK said: “We’re excited to introduce the new LimeBike to the West Midlands, the first UK region to welcome a full fleet of the new model. The LimeBike has been designed to be our most accessible and intuitive bike yet, making it easier and more comfortable for all kinds of riders. With multiple towns and city centres in close proximity, supported by strong public transport connections, the West Midlands is well suited to shared micromobility. Working with Transport for West Midlands and local councils, we’re proud to be helping more people choose cycling for everyday journeys."

Despite the growth in cycle rates, research shows that there are still significant gender and age gaps in UK cycling participation. Men make over three times as many cycling trips as women and only 1% of older people’s journeys are made by bike.

Lime is aiming to tackle this with its new LimeBike innovation. Designed based on feedback from groups traditionally underrepresented in Lime’s active riders - including women and seniors - its new features aim to make it Lime’s most inclusive vehicle to date. The repositioned battery, updated wheels and lower centre of gravity make it more accessible to a wider range of riders.

The company’s e-scooters will also be rolled out in Birmingham City Centre and Warwick University Campus from April 1.