E-scooter scheme expanded across West Midlands

A new e-bike and e-scooter scheme which has been a "hit" in Birmingham, the West Midlands mayor has said, is being rolled out across the Black Country from Monday.

Lime's micromobility programme has been expanded into Sandwell and Wolverhampton "to bring the benefits of shared and affordable transport to more communities", the firm said.

The company launched the hire scheme in Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry in April.

The bikes would help "people choose cycling as an affordable, cleaner and greener way to get around our towns and cities," West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said.

The bikes were being used in the week for commuting and at weekends by people travelling between parks, shops, restaurants and transport hubs, the firm said.

Among its busiest locations included Birmingham Moor Street Station, University College Birmingham and student accommodation sites.

In April the company said more than 2,000 new e-bikes and e-scooters were available to hire with a pay as you go rate at 20p per minute and a £1 unlock fee - frozen for the first two years.

The company was picked to take on the scheme previously run by Beryl, which would save £1.4m each year from the Transport for West Midlands' budget, officials claimed.

"Lime's new e-bikes have already proven a hit in Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull and I'm sure they will be just as successful in Sandwell and Wolverhampton," West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said.

"These new bikes with e-powered pedalling open up active travel to even more people, especially those who thought their cycling days were behind them.

"Alongside our ongoing investment in safer cycle routes, this will help people choose cycling as an affordable, cleaner and greener way to get around our towns and cities."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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