Lime is a micromobility company offering electric scooters, bikes, and mopeds for short-distance urban trips. Available in 280+ cities across 30+ countries, Lime has become one of the largest shared micromobility operators globally. The company has shifted from rapid expansion to sustainable unit economics, focusing on fleet durability and profitable markets.
Lime is one of the surviving leaders in shared micromobility after the industry shakeout of 2019-2022. Its merger with Uber's JUMP bike business and deep integration with Uber's app gives it a significant distribution advantage. Key competitors like Bird have struggled financially, leaving Lime in a stronger relative position.
One of the original dockless scooter companies. Has struggled with profitability and went through bankruptcy restructuring, but continues operating in select markets.
Formerly owned by Ford, now part of Tier Mobility. Focuses on working closely with city governments for permit compliance and safety partnerships.
Dominant in European cities with strong regulatory relationships. Focuses on safety features and city partnerships rather than rapid expansion.
Scooters and bikes available through Lyft's existing ride-hail app. Leverages Lyft's user base and payment infrastructure for frictionless access.
Lime's integration into Uber's app gives it distribution that standalone competitors cannot match. Users can find and unlock Lime vehicles directly through Uber, reducing the friction of downloading another app.
City permits for scooter operations are limited and hard to obtain. Lime's established relationships with city governments create barriers for new entrants. However, permits can be revoked, creating ongoing regulatory risk.
After industry-wide losses, Lime shifted to profitability by improving vehicle durability, optimizing deployment, and exiting unprofitable markets. Sustainable operations are now more important than city count.
Lime competes with Bird, Voi (Europe), Spin/Tier, and Lyft's micromobility offering. In many cities, only 2-3 scooter companies hold operating permits, making the competitive landscape city-specific.
Lime typically charges $1 to unlock plus $0.25-0.40 per minute of riding. Prices vary by city. Lime Pass offers discounted rates for frequent riders, and low-income programs are available in some markets.
Lime achieved its first profitable quarter in 2022 and has focused on sustainable unit economics since. The company exited unprofitable markets and improved vehicle durability to reduce replacement costs.
Yes, Lime scooters and bikes appear directly in the Uber app in supported cities. You can locate, unlock, and pay for Lime rides through Uber without switching apps.