E-scooter giant Lime returns to Brisbane with plans to fix parking issues

After shaking up personal mobility in Brisbane five years ago, e-scooter hire giant Lime returned to the city on monday. This time around it has a plan to tackle the problem of dumped or badly parked scooters.

Lime relaunched in Brisbane on Monday, July 22, 2024. Picture: Lime

After shaking up personal mobility in Brisbane five years ago, e-scooter hire giant Lime returned to the city on Monday with 2500 electric scooters and 500 electric bikes.

The new fleet featured the company’s latest technology and designs.

This time around it planned to spend a “significant’’ amount on parking facilities to tackle the problem of dumped or badly parked scooters.

Its “Gen4” scooters provided smoother and more comfortable rides, with key features including dual hand brakes, swept handlebars, a lower baseboard and larger front wheels to make riders feel more confident.

The distinctive green and white bikes also featured more power to better climb hills and a phone holder for easier navigation.

Prices started from $1, then 60c per minute or a 30 minute ride pass for $7.99.

Lime relaunched in Brisbane on Monday, July 22, 2024. Picture: Lime

Lime scooters first popped up on Brisbane streets in 2018, attracting more than 100,000 local users in three months.

But the company encountered criticism, with many users vandalising or abandoning its scooters. A radio station even staged a controversial competition for the most bizarre dumping spot.

The relaunch came three years after Lime was squeezed out of the Brisbane market when competitors Beam and Neuron were granted contracts to operate in the city by Brisbane City Council.

Lime relaunched in Brisbane on Monday, July 22, 2024. Picture: Lime

Lime Australia and New Zealand Regional General Manager Hugo Burt-Morris said the company’s return marked a “transformative moment for urban mobility in Australia’’.

“We’re committing substantial resources to parking infrastructure and safety education, laying the groundwork for a long-term partnership that will revolutionise place-making and put people first,” Mr Burt-Morris said.

“Our significant investment goes beyond introducing world-class e-scooters and e-bikes — it’s about reimagining transportation for a more sustainable, accessible Brisbane.

“As Brisbane gears up for the global spotlight of the 2032 Olympics, Lime is dedicated to playing a pivotal role in the city’s evolution into a beacon of smart, sustainable urban transit.

“This launch represents our unwavering commitment to Brisbane’s future, ensuring that residents and visitors alike can enjoy efficient, eco-friendly transportation for years to come.”

The company partnered with local bakery Brooki Bakehouse to celebrate with customised key lime pie-flavoured cookies featuring a discount code for free rides.

The cookies were available for free on Tuesday, July 23, in its Fortitude Valley shop when you show the Lime app.