Lime warned its e-scooters could be hauled off streets this week

Auckland Transport chairman Dr Lester Levy has issued a stark warning to Lime, telling the company its electric scooters could be pulled from Auckland streets this week.

Levy said the company urgently had to prove its scooters were safe.

“We cannot let ‘cool’ trump safety . . . when you have equipment failure, I think the burden of proof should fall on the company,” he said.

Lime had been to slow to respond to safety and mechanical problems which had led to a string of injuries.

“If we don’t get responses quickly, in my view they should take more severe action which could involve curtailing the trial.”

This was a reference to the arrangements that allowed Lime to launch its e-scooters in Auckland last October. About 500 were distributed around the city, with Lime saying the fleet would double within months.

In recent weeks, reports have emerged of people being injured after the front scooter wheel locked up without warning. Last Friday night Auckland man Liam Thompson suffered a broken jaw and numerous cuts and grazes when his machine came to a sudden stop and he went flying over the steering column.

Levy expressed concerns about vulnerable users riding the e-scooters or being hit by others, including the elderly, children and parents with young children.

Auckland Council representatives met Lime executives on Tuesday, and sought clearer information on the malfunction issues and safety guarantees.

The council will consider the company’s response before making further decisions about the future of e-scooters in Auckland, which could include whether to extend Lime’s operating licence beyond its expiry date at the end of next month.

A Lime spokesperson said it “recently” became aware of the operational issue affecting certain scooters and an investigation was under way.

“While the issue is still under investigation, user safety is our first priority and the affected scooters have been removed from circulation,” Lime said. “In the meantime, we are in the process of rolling out early detection and additional preventative measures for our global fleet. Lime’s public liability insurance is there for riders and the public if something goes wrong.”

ACC paid $370,931 for 656 injury claims involving e-scooters in Auckland alone between October and February 16. The figure relates to all e-scooters, not just Lime’s. ACC said that nationwide it had paid $566,405 on e-scooter claims.

We cannot let ‘cool’ trump safety . . . the burden of proof should fall on the company. Lester Levy, Auckland Transport