Lime, Auckland Council face New Year showdown

In just a few days, we’ll know if Auckland streets will be flooded with more e-scooters or whether they’ll disappear.

Lime’s street-trading license expires on January 14 after a three-month trial.

Councillors and licensing staff will discuss Lime when they return from their break on January 7, a spokeswoman said. “A decision on the next steps will be taken that week,” she added.

Mayor Phil Goff ordered a probe after councillor Christine Fletcher was nearly knocked off her feet by a Lime rider on October 25.

Councillors and staff are waiting for the final version of that report, the spokeswoman said. The results of AT’s Lime survey will also be digested.

“Several people will be involved and consulted. Whether it goes to a council vote will not be known until everyone meets in the New Year,” the spokeswoman said.

She said the council is watching events in Queensland, where the Gold Coast Council took a hard line against Lime, confiscating e-scooters and forcing the company to suspend operations for failing to follow licensing rules.

There are three possible outcomes for Lime. The worstcase scenario would be it had its license pulled. The best case would be an extension of its trial, or a permanent license.

But it’s also possible its license would be extended, but with conditions. Following the council meeting after the Fletcher near-miss, a 10km per hour speed limit was mooted (a Lime can hit a top speed of 27km per hour on the flat, but there have been reports of up to 40km/h hit downhill).

“I think there has to be a speed limit and we are looking at the initial idea of a speed limit of around 10km/h but we will listen to public feedback on that,” Goff said.

Helmets, not legally required, could also be on the agenda, Goff said.