Lime launches 100 scooters onto WeHo streets

Lime launched a fleet of 100 shared electric scooters in West Hollywood just as the city is starting to move again.

Lime’s service area includes all of West Hollywood and will ensure seamless connectivity with neighboring Los Angeles neighborhoods where Lime has operated since 2018.

Lime aims to support the city’s goals of closing existing gaps in first/last mile connectivity, encourage people to patronize businesses they may not otherwise frequent, and advance opportunities for visitors in West Hollywood to “park once” and experience the city’s amenities — all while promoting a healthy integration into existing transportation infrastructure.

Lime hopes to help jumpstart West Hollywood’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic by providing safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transportation options.

“Lime is proud and grateful for the opportunity to provide West Hollywood residents and visitors safe, accessible, and equitable options to get around. We’ve been helping people in LA get vaccinated with our Ride to Recovery program and we’re proud to play a part in the entire region’s economic recovery as we emerge from the pandemic,” said Alyssa Edelen, Senior Operations Manager at Lime. 

Lime’s application incorporated lessons the company learned from its experience as the leading provider of shared electric vehicles in Los Angeles and around the world to tailor a program that fits West Hollywood’s unique needs. The operations team will focus on safety and rider education as well as preventing sidewalk clutter and improper parking. Lime will also provide discounted rides through its groundbreaking Lime Access program. 

Safety, Sidewalk Clutter, and Responsible Riding

Lime understands that safety and responsible usage are key components of any successful shared scooter program in West Hollywood, especially preventing sidewalk sidewalk clutter and improper parking. Teaching new riders how to ride safely is  paramount, as Lime data shows a majority of crashes occur on a user’s first ride. To avoid crashes, Lime will activate its Training Mode feature, which allows Lime or a rider to set a maximum speed on a scooter lower than its standard top speed. Lime will use Training Mode to limit the maximum speed of every rider’s first ride (regardless of whether they already have an existing Lime account) to 10 mph, riders will be able to continue using it after their first ride if they prefer. 

Lime will be proactive in conducting outreach to ensure users understand West Hollywood riding and parking rules via community events, marketing and communications efforts, in-app, messaging, and First Ride Academy safety trainings. Lime will also use incentives to nudge riders toward idle or misparked vehicles, helping to redistribute vehicles that are improperly parked or in overcrowded areas. Lime will also provide credits to encourage proper parking and safe riding, including for parking in specific areas, For users that repeatedly fail to abide by City rules, Lime will issue fines and eventually ban them from the Lime platform to provide for a successful and safe micromobility program in West Hollywood. 

Lime believes that affordability should not be a barrier to using our service. We were the first dockless micromobility company to implement a program for low-income riders, Lime Access, which provides a significant discount on our standard pricing and allows community members access to the Lime platform without the need for a bank account or smartphone. The Lime Access discount program is available to recipients of Federal, state, or local subsidy programs, including those receiving unemployment benefits. Lime Access participants receive a 70%+ discount on our standard fares on all rides taken.