Lime - the world’s largest shared e-scooter and e-bike operator - has today launched a fleet of rental e-bikes in Derby, as it looks to encourage more UK residents to embrace sustainable and affordable transport options.

The expansion comes at a time when cycling is booming - 1.5 million people have ridden Lime in the UK since it launched locally in 2018. It follows a successful launch of Lime’s electric vehicles in London, Milton Keynes and Salford, and the recent similar e-bike launch in Nottingham last week.

Launched in partnership with Derby City Council, local residents will be able to hire the shared e-bikes in key city locations and enjoy the benefits that cycling can bring, from improved health to cleaner air. The bikes will be gradually introduced to the city in a phased approach, beginning across a specific area of the city centre.

Alice Pleasant, Public Affairs Manager at Lime said:

At Lime, we are on a mission to provide people across the nation with the tools they need to transition away from using cars. By launching our e-bike service in Derby, we become one step closer to meeting net zero targets, while providing residents with alternative methods of sustainable transport. We hope, as the scheme develops, to see more people around the country adopting Lime’s vehicles and enjoying the benefits that cycling can bring.

Derby residents now have access to Lime’s latest Gen4 e-bike model, available for hire via the Lime app. In order to practise responsible parking, users will be required to park the e-bikes at mandatory parking zones located around the city, of which have been agreed in partnership with Derby City Council.

The Council is also planning to re-invest the funding secured from the Department for Transport (DfT), initially allocated to the scheme, to support cycle infrastructure within local communities and popular cycle locations.

Verna Bayliss, Director of Planning, Transportation and Engineering at Derby City Council said:

We’re really excited to welcome Lime and their fleet of e-bikes to Derby. E-bikes are a brilliant alternative travel option, providing citizens with a clean, convenient and cheaper way to travel.

The launch of the e-bike service takes us another step closer to towards our goal to become Carbon Neutral by 2035 and provide citizens with a greater range of transport options. Our teams have worked closely with Lime to bring the e-bikes to key locations within the city whilst also making sure that they will be properly parked and used safely.

Eligible riders can become members of Lime Access, a service that offers a 50% discount on all e-bike rides. More information about the programme can be found on Lime’s website. 

As part of the launch in Derby, Lime is supporting the Department for Transport’s ‘It’s Everyone’s Journey’ campaign, aimed at creating a more considerate and supportive travel environment. Lime will launch ‘Feel Good Parking’ stickers on the basket of its bikes in Derby, reminding users to always park in parking bays marked with a ‘P’’ in the Lime app, as it looks to prioritise parking.

More information about the e-bike scheme in Derby can be found on on the Council's website.