A fleet exceeding 2,000 brand-new bicycles and electric scooters has appeared on West Midlands roads this week, marking the beginning of a fresh partnership.
Lime mobility services are now operational in Coventry, in addition to Birmingham and Solihull, with the Black Country towns of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton set to receive the scheme from June 1.
Earlier in the year, Transport for West Midlands selected the micromobility company to operate the initiative following a tendering exercise.
The programme will function without any council or government money, generating yearly savings of £1.4 million – matching the former cycle hire running costs – for the transport authority.
Officers noted that users can locate and unlock bicycles via the Lime smartphone programme, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
The vehicles may be collected at every existing Cycle Hire station, as well as numerous supplementary locations across Birmingham shown within the app.
Lime’s Pay As You Go rates are set at 20p per minute, with a £1 starting fee – guaranteed for the first two years.
Riders can alternatively buy LimePass bundles:
Half an hour for £2.99
One hour for £5.99
Two hours for £9.99
Five hours for £19.90
Beccy Marston, West Midlands Active Travel Commissioner, said the partnership marks a major achievement for sustainable travel across the region – extra bicycles make shorter journeys easier and greener, with electric support to handle hills and enable cycling for many more people.
By broadening where vehicles are available, the scheme makes getting around simpler, cheaper and more accessible, and looks forward to building a productive working relationship with Lime to keep improving choices for local travel.
Tom Newham, Lime Senior Manager of Public Affairs for the UK, said the company is thrilled to bring the new LimeBike to the West Midlands, the first UK location to receive an entire fleet of this updated model.
The LimeBike has been designed as the most straightforward and easiest bicycle in their range, streamlining the experience and boosting comfort for different users.
With numerous towns and urban areas located close together, supported by dependable public transport connections, the West Midlands is perfectly suited for shared micromobility.
Through partnership with Transport for West Midlands and local councils, the company is proud to help more people choose cycling for everyday journeys.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said this new arrangement makes the region the first in Britain to have a complete fleet of Lime’s newest electric bicycles, offering an outstanding service to residents throughout towns and cities.
Alongside ongoing spending on safe cycling routes, this will make it easier for people to select cycling as a practical, affordable and environmentally friendly option instead of driving for shorter trips and help improve air quality and reduce traffic on roads.