A new e-bike and e-scooter hire scheme that has proven popular in Birmingham is being rolled out into the Black Country. Lime's micromobility programme will expand into Sandwell and Wolverhampton from Monday, June 1, with bosses hoping to replicate the success seen in the region so far.
The company launched the hire scheme in Birmingham, Solihull, and Coventry in April. Around 86 percent of users in the West Midlands had never ridden a Lime bike elsewhere before, and more than one in three went on to take another trip within a week of their first hire. One rider has even completed more than 240 trips during the scheme's opening weeks.
Some of Lime's busiest locations in the West Midlands include Birmingham Moor Street Station, University College Birmingham, and student accommodation sites. The bikes are not just used for commuting; weekends are as popular as weekdays, with residents travelling between parks, shops, restaurants, and transport hubs.
Expansion into the Black Country
Tom Newham, Senior Manager of Public Affairs at Lime UK&I, said: "It's been fantastic to see so many people across the West Midlands embrace Lime during the first few months of the scheme. We've seen riders quickly make shared e-bikes part of their everyday routines, whether commuting, connecting to public transport, meeting friends, or travelling around the city centre. As we expand into the Black Country from June 1, we're excited to bring the benefits of shared and affordable transport to even more communities across the region and continue working closely with local partners to support active travel."
Mayor's Support
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: "Lime's new e-bikes have already proven a hit in Birmingham, Coventry, and Solihull, and I'm sure they will be just as successful in Sandwell and Wolverhampton. These new bikes with e-powered pedalling open up active travel to even more people, especially those who thought their cycling days were behind them. Alongside our ongoing investment in safer cycle routes, this will help people choose cycling as an affordable, cleaner, and greener way to get around our towns and cities."
