Lime, Vancouver's shared e-scooter system

Lime's equity program (Lime Access) is designed to provide equitable access to all people. As part of it, Lime is offering 2,000 Lime Access annual memberships with $0 unlock fees and a discounted $0.15 per minute usage fee for riders that meet the Lime Access program conditions External website, opens in new tab.

Commitment to inclusion

It specifically aims to include individuals regardless of age, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation and identity, national origin, religion, or any other protected category.

The goal is to make sure that groups who have historically lacked access to mobility benefits have equal opportunities to use this service.

Active outreach

Lime will use different methods to share information and provide equitable access to historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized groups. 

How the equity program makes e-scooters more accessible:

• Offering a discounted pass to eligible individuals
• Partnering with local social service, non-profit, and community organizations
• Participating in community events and hosting in-person sign-ups
• Hosting in-person learn-to-ride events
• Providing reduced liability for lost or damaged e-scooters

The first phase of the system launch will include the Hastings-Sunrise and Grandview-Woodland neighbourhoods.

In 2024, the service area will expand westward towards downtown. It will continue to grow into a city-wide system.

Map of initial service area

The launch included 100 e-scooters and 28 stations.

Lime will continue to add e-scooters and stations to build towards a city-wide system. 

Helmets are mandatory in British Columbia and are available on all shared e-scooters at no additional cost to the riders.

Lime staff will regularly sanitize and inspect used helmets for safety and wear before returning them to the e-scooters.

In addition to providing a flexible transportation option, public e-scooter share systems can help:

• Encourage active travel, without worries about maintenance or theft
• Connect to key transit hubs and extend transit trips
• Provide convenient access to active travel infrastructure (such as bike lanes)
• Reduce the need for personal vehicle trips
• Provide an additional option for sustainable, affordable, and accessible transportation

A shared e-scooter system aligns with our Climate Emergency Action Plan, Transportation 2040 Plan, and Greenest City Action Plan objectives to encourage sustainable transportation.

The shared e-scooter system is owned and operated by Lime.

As the owner-operator, Lime will: 

• Be fully responsible for funding the system (including capital investment and ongoing operating costs)
• Charge membership fees and user fees
• Secure corporate sponsorships to generate additional revenues to support the system
• Make sure the shared e-scooter system is safe and usable 
• Educate users on how to ride and park shared e-scooters safely

This business model is similar to many shared e-scooter systems in other North American cities.

To support the shared e-scooter system, we will:

• Maintain a strong partnership with Lime
• Monitor system performance
• Track progress towards achieving our transportation, sustainability, and equity goals
• Accommodate shared e-scooter stations on the street, occasionally reallocating metered parking spaces for this purpose
• Make changes to regulations to support the system, as needed

E-scooters cannot be ridden on sidewalks, and safety will remain our top priority for this system. We will work with Lime to create a safe program and environment, which will include:

• The creation of slow and no-ride zones
• Sidewalk detection
• A training mode
• Helmet selfies
• Reaction testing (evening hours)
• Education through a safe ride program
• Community outreach

Learn more about e-scooter safety guidelines

Stations can be located on public and private land, in parks, and on street right-of-way. We prioritize station sites:

• With safe access with maximum visibility, and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• With connections to transit, and visible from rapid transit station entrances, express bus stops, and other transportation hubs
• Close to protected bike lanes. Download a cycling map
• Close to shopping districts, residential neighbourhoods, parks, destinations and attractions, community facilities and amenities, large event venues, and educational institutions
• Located every 200 to 300 metres, or approximately every 2 to 3 blocks, to serve 150 metre radius catchment areas and to maintain a minimum station density of 10 stations per square kilometre. This density is the industry standard. 
• To comply with safety standards, including maintaining sight of stop signs and traffic lights, and allowing for passage of emergency vehicles

E-Scooter station location and size

We determine the location and size of e-scooter stations based on expected demand. Key factors we consider include:

• Surrounding land uses
• Local population
• Nearby transit stops 
• Recreational areas  
• Other places that attract visitors

In busy areas, we will increase both the number and size of stations to support more riders.

Street space in Vancouver is limited. Space for 1 vehicle parking spot can accommodate about 6 to 8 shared e-scooter parking spots.

With multiple rides expected on each e-scooter on most days, even a single vehicle parking space reallocated to Lime can facilitate a large number of trips.

The Province of BC extended the electric kick scooter pilot program External website, opens in new tab until 2028. We are 1 of several municipalities participating in this pilot. 

The pilot in Vancouver started in July 2021, following Council-approved changes to the by-laws.  

Learn more about our participation in the provincial e-scooter pilot

• Council Report - Contract award for shared E-Scooter system operator PDF file (48 KB)
• Council Report - Shared Electric Kick Scooter By-Law amendments PDF file (1.5 MB) 
• Council meeting minutes - Moving Climate Goals Forward with Micromobility PDF file (472 KB)