Lime goes all out in London to compete with cabs

Micromobility provider Lime is planning on invest £20m in London over the next year after hitting 5 million rides in the past two year. Raising the bar on micromobility and likely taking a chunk out of the cab market in the dense city of London.

The plan is to simply upgrade their network of Escooters and Ebikes. Bringing the latest models of both modes with the inter changeable batteries. While radically increasing the number of Ebikes in the capital.

I.e. The Swappable batteries that might just make Micromobility have the Iphone moment.

These new Escooters will have a bigger and better braking system along with a hyper improved batttery life. The Ebikes in London were inherited from the Jump Uber network which Lime was esstientially given with Uber re strcuturing at the beginning of the pandemic.

“With our e-bikes popularity now significantly superseding pre-Covid levels, it’s clear that what we’re seeing is just the start of an exciting behaviour change in London as we look to reduce carbon emissions and live our lives more sustainably,” said Alan Clarke, Lime UK’s senior director of public policy.

As a result of the pandemic with users wanting an outdoor covid experience, Lime’s ride numbers have gone wild in London.

Growing on average around 100 percent compared in the last two years. Doubling every year is a pretty good base to grow from.

The next good news for all the micromobility firms in London, is the London Mayor Sadiq Khan doubling down on both Net Zero and anti traffic targets. He is due to bring in road pricing by the mile as soon as the tech is ready.

Considering the lower emissons zone along with the congestion zone has several rings of car cameras throughout the city. This tech surely will be ready within the next 18 months.

While the Greater London local authourity has made big improvements on the bike lanes throughout the city. Along with the recent upgrading of cycling on the high way code. Just below pedistrians in terms of right of way.

Camden Council experienced a significant rise in the use of Lime’s e-bikes in 2021 following the launch of several cycle improvement schemes.

In the improved areas, Lime e-bike trips were found to increase between 93 per cent and 756 per cent in 2021 compared to 2020. Limes Swappable battery on Escooter

The kick the industry needs:

The one thing that Lime and the rest of the industry are desperately waiting for along with improved bike infracture is the end of the Escooter trails and the end of the prohibition of Escooters.