An evaluation panel found the submission fell short across several operational and financial measures, and Council resolved not to enter into any new agreement and to end the existing arrangement. The current operator, Lime, will have 30 days from notice to cease operations in Yarra.
"For all the talk about transport and the environment, this is simply a bog-standard procurement issue," said City of Yarra Mayor, Cr Stephen Jolly.
"Council outlined a set of conditions as part of the tender process to ensure that ratepayers were not left holding the bill, and what we received from Lime failed to meet this."
Council's decision follows a period of increased scrutiny of shared micromobility in Yarra, including a resolution in October 2025 requesting a report on the benefits, issues and risks of e-bike share, and complaint data on delivery riders using footpaths. In December 2025, Council resolved to proceed with procurement for a permanent scheme, subject to the requirement that any service cover Council's management costs and be revenue positive.
Yarra City Council has recorded hundreds of complaints about e-bike share since the scheme's 2020 launch. The most common concerns related to improper footpath parking (a Council enforcement matter) and footpath riding, speeding, helmet non-compliance and tandem riding (all police enforcement matters).
Council said the decision reflects the outcome of a rigorous, independently overseen procurement process rather than a judgement on demand for e-bike share itself. Any future shared e-bike scheme in Yarra would need to go through a fresh procurement process and satisfy Council's requirements on operations, data security and finances.
Council will now work with Lime on an orderly wind-down of e-bike operations in Yarra within the 30-day notice period. Privately owned e-bikes are unaffected by this decision.
