Lime mechanics manager Niki Dass and operations manager Hamish Ellis with a fleet of e-scooters ready to be distributed around Tauranga. Photo / Samantha Motion
Lime mechanics manager Niki Dass and operations manager Hamish Ellis with a fleet of e-scooters ready to be distributed around Tauranga. Photo / Samantha Motion
"Give it a go" - that's the message from Tauranga's mayor as Lime e-scooters hit the city streets for the first time today.
The launch of the app-based e-scooter rental service marks the beginning of a year-long monitored trial, approved by Tauranga City Council earlier this month.
The trial givesLime exclusive rights to operate in Tauranga for 12 months.
The response will be monitored and public feedback collected before the council decides whether such services are a good fit for the city.
Lime can roll out up to 400 scooters around the city but will start with half the fleet.
Lime e-scooters will be ready to roll in Tauranga today. Photo / Samantha Motion
Lime NZ public policy and stakeholder relations manager Lauren Mentjox said 200 scooters would be on the city's streets from today, spread throughout the city centre, Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa to start with.
"We will increase the fleet incrementally over the next few weeks.
"There is a lot involved to launch a market and we monitor how things are going in terms of use, deployment and even the weather to determine how long it takes to reach the full fleet."
She expected it would be a couple of weeks before Lime reached full deployment.
"We will be closely monitoring use to see where people are riding and when so we will have a better idea about that after we have been operating for a few weeks."
The cost for renters will be $1 to unlock a scooter, then 40c per minute of use after that.
The company has been advertising for "Juicers" - people who recharge the e-scooters when the batteries start to get low and deploy them again "ready for the morning commute".
Mentjox said Juicers operated as independent contractors and it was a flexible working option.
She encouraged people to try the scooters but "please be mindful of others when riding and remember to park responsibly".
Lime mechanics manager Niki Dass and operations manager Hamish Ellis with a fleet of e-scooters ready to be distributed around Tauranga. Photo / Samantha Motion
For newbies, Lime will be holding safe riding sessions in the coming weeks for people to have a go in a controlled environment.
"We look forward to showing more people the ins and outs of riding a scooter.
"They are a safe, convenient and fun way to get around and we can't wait to see Tauranga locals taking up the opportunity to move to a more sustainable form of transport."
Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell said he was looking forward to the trial and his advice to people was simply "give it a go".
"There will be naysayers, as there are in any community, but I really think that in Tauranga this will be a viable commuting option for many people, as it has been in many other metros."
He said during the Auckland rollout he saw people young and older giving it a whirl and he expected to see the same in Tauranga.
A Lime e-scooter rider in Auckland shortly after the launch in 2018. Photo / File
According to the rules agreed between Lime and the council, geofencing technology will be used to stop the e-scooters being ridden in some places, slow them down in others, and discourage them from being left in some places.
The scooters have a top speed of about 25km/h but an automatic speed limit of 15km/h will apply in the city centre, Greerton Village and downtown Mount Maunganui.
The scooters will be banned from Mauao's trails, cemeteries and unsealed paths in council-owned parks and reserves.
The scooters will be allowed to operate between 5am and midnight seven days a week, with an earlier curfew of 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights in downtown Mount Maunganui and the CBD - a measure aimed at reducing the opportunity for mischief.
The trial has been hailed by people who want to see Tauranga offer more transport alternatives to cars, but some pushback is anticipated from other footpath users.
How to use a Lime:
- Download the Lime app - Use it find a scooter near you and unlock it - You'll be charged by the minute - Stick to the footpaths or as close as possible to the edge of the road - Stay out of cycle lanes - Give way to pedestrians and other mobility devices - Keep your speed safe - Park responsibly - Helmets are recommended but not legally required - Only over 18s can use Lime e-scooters.
