Lime is the first company out of the gate with electric scooters as part of a new scooter share pilot program launched by the City of Seattle.
The company, which already has bikes in the city, started launching 500 of it’s signature green Lime-S scooters on Wednesday out of its warehouse in the Ballard neighborhood. Lime moved quickly after it was one of three companies selected to apply for permits to operate in the city. The other two companies — LINK and Wheels — are expected to launch in the coming weeks.
Lime said in a news release that the initial launch fleet will be available from the Central District and SODO to Capitol Hill, Downtown, South Lake Union, Ballard, Fremont and the University District.
Lime’s free-floating scooters cost $1 to unlock through its mobile app (for adults 18 and up) and 36 cents per minute to ride. Riders who qualify for the Lime Access program can take advantage of five free rides per day, up to 30 minutes each. After the fifth trip per day or after the first 30 minutes, Lime Access is priced at 50 cents to unlock and 7 cents per minute.
The city requires helmets and riders are allowed to use bike lanes or trails where available. Riding on sidewalks and bus lanes is prohibited. The Seattle Department of Transportation has more information about rules of the road and where to park on its scooter share website.
Lime previously deployed scooters to the White Center area, along with Spin, as part of another pilot program being run by King County.
With wildfire smoke lingering in Seattle and making for unhealthy air quality this week, Lime encouraged riders to use the scooters only for essential trips right now.
Your cleaner, greener, car-free options are here. #Seattle
✅?? pic.twitter.com/YNJzdxie4Q— Lime (@limebike) September 16, 2020
Lime is taking to the streets of Seattle but w/ scooters this time – Live @ 6AM as the pilot program launches today @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/hYIAq7kI9Z
— Ranji Sinha (@RanjiKIRO7) September 16, 2020
? Seattle! With smoky air quality, please use for essential trips only. If you have to travel, please follow public health directives about face masks ? to protect against both COVID transmission and poor air quality. We'll be ready when you need us ?? https://t.co/SC59HES5IO
— Lime (@limebike) September 16, 2020