Melbourne Yarra Council ends Lime e‑bike trial

In mid‑July 2026 the Yarra City Council in Melbourne voted to terminate Lime’s electric bike‑sharing pilot after nearly six years. Council members cited repeated parking violations, abandoned bikes, and intoxicated riders, giving Lime a 30‑day window to remove all e‑bikes from public streets. The decision highlighted that Lime had earned about US 2.5 million from the scheme while delivering limited municipal benefits.

By early August the council reaffirmed the termination, rejecting a permanent hire contract and detailing specific tender breaches: failure to clean up dumped bikes, relocate improperly parked bikes within 30 minutes, and respond to public calls within ten seconds around the clock. Community group Streets Alive Yarra argued the tender was deliberately onerous, while Lime’s Asia‑Pacific head disputed the council’s claims and warned of broader impacts. The council warned non‑compliance could trigger fines of up to $5,000 per breach.