Shared e-bike service rides into Christchurch

The company that introduced shared electric scooters to Christchurch is now bringing its shared electric bikes to the city.

Christchurch City Council has given Lime Technology a permit to operate up to 200 e-bikes in the city until the end of August 2021.

Lime is going to start with an initial fleet of 100 e-bikes, which will be available for hire starting next week.

“E-scooters have changed the way that many people move around the city.  We are keen to see what impact a shared e-bike service might have on travel patterns,’’ says Councillor Mike Davidson, Chair of the Urban Development and Transport Committee.

“We expect the e-bikes will be popular with people wanting to travel further distances or go up the hills.

“Giving Lime a permit to operate its shared e-bikes here on a trial basis gives us a chance to assess how such a service might fit into our transport network in the long-term,’’ Cr Davidson says.

“E-bikes are soaring in popularity worldwide. They are an environmentally-friendly form of transport that could help us reduce congestion on our roads and lower carbon emissions, so it is a travel option we want to investigate thoroughly,’’ Cr Davidson says.

Lime’s New Zealand Public Affairs Manager Lauren Mentjox says the company is excited to be able to bring its shared e-bike service to Christchurch.

“Christchurch people really embraced e-scooters and we are hoping they will be equally keen to make use of e-bikes. With both e-scooters and e-bikes available for hire around the city, it will be really easy for people to move around and get to the places that they want to go.’’

E-biker users will need to comply with the usual road rules for biking and users will need to park out of the main thoroughfares on footpaths, as with e-scooters.

Lime’s e-bikes will be available for hire on both the Lime and Uber apps.