Micromobility operator Lime has launched its first service in Ireland, a 12-month pilot scheme of 100 e-bikes, which will be available to hire in Castlebar, Mayo.
The scheme will make Lime’s latest Gen4 e-bikes available to residents for hire and will run in partnership with Mayo County Council.
Castlebar is the first town in Ireland to see Lime’s shared e-bikes, marking the company’s official launch in the country.
Ireland is the 36th country to have launched Lime’s vehicles, with the provider operating services in more than 250 cities globally.
The launch is part of Lime’s commitment to invest €10m (£9m) in its Irish operations.
Hal Stevenson, senior public affairs manager for Lime in Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be launching our first service in Ireland.
“We look forward to working with Mayo County Council to offer Castlebar residents and visitors a safe and sustainable way to travel around the town.
“This service will be designed to demonstrate the positive impact shared micromobility schemes can deliver in Irish towns and cities.
“Safety for all road users is a priority for Lime everywhere we operate.
“We look forward to working closely with Mayo County Council, and wider stakeholders – including our new Irish Disability Advisory Board – to ensure that our services are safely and responsibly delivered for all road users.”
Key features of the Gen4 bikes include increased motor power, a new phone holder, automatic two-speed transmission for smoother rides and a modular design to extend lifespan.
Lime’s e-bikes will run on its new batteries, which reportedly have double the power of previous models.
To use the e-bikes, riders will be required to pay an unlocking fee of €1 (90p) with a fee of 15 cent (13.5p) per minute for the remainder of their journey. Lime has said it is working with Mayo County Council to deliver parking spaces to encourage responsible storage and parking of its vehicles.
