Lime e-bikes launching in Victoria this Friday

This Friday, August 21st, Lime e-bikes will be launching in Victoria and will be distributed throughout the city. 

This partnership between Lime Canada and the City of Victoria is aimed at giving residents a new affordable, sustainable and convenient way to get around the region. 

In June of this year, Lime announced the partnership with the City, and revealed that Victoria would be one of the first Canadian cities to see their new model of LimeBike launched. 

According to Lime Canada, this new model was designed for riders who may have difficulty pedaling for extended periods, and those looking for a comfortable way to replace their car commute.  

The LimeBike features 2.5” tires for strong traction that work effectively in wet conditions. Lime also repositioned the battery and updated the wheels to achieve a lower center of gravity, which results in enhanced stability and maneuverability, especially for smaller-statured riders.  

Lime will be celebrating the launch with the community by hosting an event at 49 Below Ice Cream in Vic West from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. 

As a way to encourage residents to download the Lime app and use the new e-bikes, the first 200 people to stop by with the app downloaded will receive a free popsicle. 

During the event, Lime staff will also be handing out free helmets, showcasing the new e-bikes and sharing information about how to ride and park safely. 

“We have been looking forward to this day for months and are incredibly excited to officially bring Lime to Victoria,” said Carling Dick, government relations at Lime Canada.  

“Our goal is to build a program that works well for the entire community, including riders and non-riders. That means making it easy to ride, but also making sure bikes are parked properly and that people understand how to use the system responsibly.”

Dick added that Friday’s event will provide residents the opportunity to ask them questions before taking their first ride. 

To use a Lime e-bike, Victorians will have to download the Lime app, which can be used to unlock the bikes at their parking locations.  

When a rider wants to end their trip, they will be required to return their bike to a designated Lime parking zone. 

A live riding map will be available on the Lime app, showing real-time pins with active parking zones, bike availability and open parking slots near the rider. 

“Whether you’re heading to work, your favourite coffee shop or connecting to transit, e-bike share is a great way to get there,” said William Doyle, director of engineering and public works with the City of Victoria. 

“Our All Ages and Abilities cycling network makes Victoria the ideal place to give shared e-bikes a try.”

Victoria is the only municipality to have partnered with Lime Canada, where Langford, Colwood and Saanich have all introduced Evolve e-bike share programs for the same purpose. 

Because those municipalities all chose Evolve over Lime, riders are able to travel and park in any of the three regions and travel between them.