Yarra Council terminates Lime electric bike sharing in Melbourne

The Yarra City Council in Melbourne voted to end Lime Micromobility’s electric bike‑sharing pilot after nearly six years of operation. Council members cited repeated breaches of parking standards, abandoned bicycles blocking sidewalks, and incidents of riders using the bikes while intoxicated. Deputy Mayor Sharon Harrison said the problem lay both with users who ignore rules and an operator that “cannot or will not manage its service safely.” Mayor Stephen Jolly noted that Lime earned about USD 2.5 million from the scheme since January 2025 while providing roughly 614 trips per day, yet delivered no tangible benefits to the municipality.

The council’s resolution gives Lime a 30‑day window to remove all e‑bikes from public streets. Local residents and community groups had raised concerns about safety and the lack of dedicated docking stations. Lime’s spokesperson called the decision “unnecessary” and expressed disappointment, warning of broader impacts on the city’s e‑bike network.