Product Profile: Lime

 

INDUSTRY

transportation

Category

mobility services

product Profiled

Lime micromobility(1) rental service

 

H-Score

 

68

ranked 7th of 18 within the transportation industry

ranked 12th of 76 overall

 

product description

 

Lime offers access to shared dockless electric bikes and electric scooters in 56 US cities(2) through a smartphone app. 

 

product use

 

After downloading the app and setting up an account, users are given a map interface and can select from available e-bikes, electric scooters and mopeds. Users (presumably) walk to the location of their selected vehicle, ride the vehicle to their destination, and park it. Users pay on a per trip basis. Lime also offers LimePrime, a premium subscription service that reduces the per trip fees in exchange for paying a monthly fee, and Ride Pass, which offers unlimited rides for a set period of time such as a day or a month.(3) Lime is also integrated with Google Maps and transit planning app Moovit. Users of those services can access and reserve Lime vehicles directly through their maps.

 

who’s affected

 

According to an industry study of micromobility users in general (not specific to Lime), users are spread across the general population, but the following groups are overrepresented: men, high-income earners, people ages 18-24 and 25-44 and White people.(4) Through its Lime Access program, Lime offers discounts of up to 70% for eligible low-income users.(5,6)

 
 

influence on health-related behaviors

 

EATING

neutral influence

 

There is no obvious connection between the use of Lime’s service and a user’s eating habits.

 
 

PHYSICAL ACTVITY

slight to moderate positive influence

 

Lime’s influence on physical activity is based on the degree to which its users use its service in addition to or as a substitute for car travel, which requires less physical activity. Lime’s two modes -- e-bikes, and electric scooters -- offer different levels of activity, with e-bikes requiring the most activity. (Note that Lime uses e-assist bikes that require pedaling.) Lime has recently introduced a seated scooter.(7) Lime has reported some data on the mix of modes used: In Seattle, during a study period, 27% of rides were by scooter-only users, 43% by bike-only users and 30% by multimodal users.(8) Lime offers access to shared bikes in 13 of its 56 US cities.(9)

Lime has indicated that 70% of its users (worldwide) have reduced their use of cars, taxis or ridesharing.(10) In addition, a recent industry analysis of scooter and bike share use indicates a significant displacement of automobile trips: 37% of scooter trips are in place of taxi, rideshare or personal auto. On the other hand, the study showed 39% replaced walking.(11)

An industry report of micromobility use in general (not specific to Lime) found that 27% of users listed “exercise and recreation” as their reason for using a shared bike or scooter.(12)

 

opportunities:

  • Expand access to bike share service.
 
 

Sleeping

neutral to slight positive influence

 

Lime’s service has no obvious direct effects on sleeping, although to the extent that it influences physical activity and time spent outdoors, it could indirectly influence sleep as both of those behaviors are positively correlated with better sleep.

 
 

Engaging Socially

slight positive influence

 

To the extent that Lime facilitates people leaving their homes by providing multiple low-cost transportation options, it could lead to casual social interactions, which have been shown to have a positive effect on mental health.

The open-air nature of all of its transportation modes makes it easier for riders to see, recognize, and stop to greet other people along the way than if they were traveling by car.

Lime promotes riding in groups by offering the ability for up to five (5) scooters to be unlocked/rented by a single user.(13)

Lime reports that 18% of scooter trips and 13% of bike trips (worldwide) are for social purposes.(14)

An industry report of micromobility use in general (not specific to Lime) found that 27% of users listed “social activities, entertainment and dining out” as their reason for using a shared bike or scooter.(15)

 

opportunities:

  • Promote (through discounts or other means) riding in pairs or groups.
  • Offering city/town tours on the bikes/scooters (see below) could also bring people together.
 
 

Getting Outdoors

moderate to strong positive influence

 

To the extent that Lime facilitates people leaving their homes by providing multiple low-cost transportation options, it could lead to casual social interactions, which have been shown to have a positive effect on mental health.

The open-air nature of all of its transportation modes makes it easier for riders to see, recognize, and stop to greet other people along the way than if they were traveling by car.

 

opportunities:

  • Offer city/town tours on the bikes/scooters, either with a tour guide or a self-touring app.
 
 
 

Notes

 

  1. “Micromobility” refers to a range of personal vehicles ridden at speeds of approximately 15 mph or less.

  2. Find Lime Cities and Regions. Lime website, accessed November 28, 2023.

  3. What is LimePrime? Lime website, accessed November 28, 2023.

  4. North American Bike and Scootershare Association (NABSA). 4th Annual Micromobility State of the Industry Report (2022), p. 12.

  5. Lime Access. Lime website, accessed November 28, 2023.

  6. Amos Mwaniki. Which is the Best Scooter Rental Service in 2023. Ridester. October 6, 2023.

  7. Emily Irgang. You're going to want to sit down for this — Introducing the Gen4 Seated e-scooter. Lime blog. November 1, 2023.

  8. Lime. 2020 End of Year Report, p. 31.

  9. Lime communications team. Direct communication, August 2023.

  10. Lime. 2020 End of Year Report, p. 7.

  11. NABSA (2022), p. 4.

  12. NABSA (2022), p. 7.

  13. Lime communications team. Direct communication, August 2023.

  14. Lime. 2020 End of Year Report, p. 31.

  15. NABSA (2022), p. 7.