The City of Hobart has appointed global micromobility operator Lime as the successful tenderer to deliver Hobart's new shared e-bike service.
Under an initial 12-month permit, with an option to renew, Lime will initially deploy approximately 350 e-bikes across the city, focusing on high-demand locations including the Hobart waterfront, Salamanca and the CBD.
These smaller, compact, Hobart-specific brand-new bikes will begin operations in the coming weeks.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the appointment marked an exciting new chapter for shared transport in Hobart.
The new service follows the Council's decision to transition to an e-bike-only shared mobility model, reflecting the growing preference for e-bikes as a practical transport option and responding to community concerns about e-scooter use.
The permit includes designated parking requirements and no-terminate zones to help keep footpaths and public spaces safe and accessible.
Locations and bike distribution will be refined over the first few months using operational data to ensure the service meets demand.
Lime operates in nearly 30 countries worldwide and currently provides shared e-bike services in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney.
Customer enquiries will be managed directly by Lime, with regular performance reporting provided to the City of Hobart.
Quotes to be attributed to Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds:
"We're pleased to welcome Lime to Hobart and continue providing residents and visitors with a convenient, affordable and low-emissions way to travel around our city.
"Shared e-bikes have proven popular in Hobart and around the world, and support our goals of reducing car dependence, cutting emissions and providing more transport choices."
