The May meeting of Georges River Council discussed the State Government approved rollout of shared e-bikes in Georges River.
Shared e-bike operator Lime officially expanded to Georges River on Monday 4 May 2026.
The expansion follows legislative reforms passed by the NSW Government in November last year. It enables state-approved shared e-bike operators to enter Local Government Areas (LGA).
Under the new framework, councils do not control operator entry into LGAs. However, they retain powers to manage how shared e-bikes operate. This includes the ability to:
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Determine where operators may deploy and park e-bikes.
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Establish dedicated parking zones on public land.
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Implement "no ride" or "no parking" areas; and
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Introduce "go slow" zones in high pedestrian environments.
Since the introduction of the shared e-bikes in the Georges River LGA, there has been strong early uptake indicating high community demand. Approximately 7,500 trips by 2,400 individuals have been taken, with around 70% of trips remaining within the LGA. The data shows the service is mainly supporting local connectivity, especially around Kogarah and Hurstville – Georges River's key transport hubs.
Council is aware of community concerns regarding shared e-bikes and has received 10 service requests relating to Lime e-bikes. While no formal written complaints have been lodged, Council has been made aware of additional concerns via phone enquiries with common issues raised including:
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Bikes being left on footpaths and in pedestrian areas, creating obstructions.
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Parking near transport hubs, including taxi ranks, impacting accessibility and safety.
Current legislation requires specific processes before removing unattended items, which can affect response time. Under the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act, Council is required to provide a minimum of three hours' notice before removing unattended items. This places a greater reliance on operator responsiveness.
To address these issues, Lime has several measures to encourage responsible use. This includes:
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Mandatory parking zones at key locations such as train stations, enforced through the Lime app.
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End-of-trip photo verification, using machine learning to assess appropriate parking.
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Geofenced no parking and no ride zones, which automatically slow or stop bikes in restricted areas.
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A progressive disciplinary system, where repeated misuse can result in account restrictions or bans; and
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Rider eligibility requirements, including a minimum age of 18 and acceptance of terms and conditions.
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Quick response to complaints.
The NSW Government is still developing a detailed regulatory and funding framework for shared micromobility services. Council is seeking appropriate support to manage infrastructure and compliance responsibilities that come with the rollout.
Georges River Council Mayor Elise Borg said, "Council is focused on managing how shared e-bikes operate locally to ensure they integrate safely into public spaces.
"Council acknowledges there have been some issues with parking and use and is working with the operator to improve outcomes and minimise impacts on the community.
"When used responsibly, shared e-bikes can support local connectivity and more sustainable transport. Council will continue to monitor the rollout, refine its approach, and advocate for outcomes that support safety, accessibility and local needs."
Members of the community are encouraged to report issues directly to Lime. This can be done by submitting a request form
