E-scooter brigade on the way

Hundreds of shared electric scooters may soon be whizzing around New Zealand’s two biggest cities at speeds of up to 27kmh – close to the speed limit for much of central Christchurch.

American bike and scooter share company Lime, formerly LimeBike, has applied to the Christchurch City Council for a permit to operate

700 e-scooters in the city for a three-month trial starting mid-September.

Council staff recommend councillors vote to grant the permit when they meet next Thursday, noting Lime has imminent plans to roll out the scooters in both Christchurch and Auckland.

If the permit is granted and the trial period goes well, Lime, which was founded in January 2017 in California, plans to double the number of scooters in Christchurch.

It comes while a replacement for Christchurch’s bike-share scheme remains in limbo, with current operator Christchurch Bike Share to start pulling stands off the road from mid-September. The council is still negotiating with its preferred operator, believed to be Mobike, a Chinese company that helped drive the global bike share boom.

Lime’s scooters have a 48 kilometre range and a top speed of

27kmh. Users find, unlock and pay for them using an app. The dockless system means people can leave them at their destination.

Because they have a 300-watt motor, the scooters fit the classification of a wheeled recreational device, which can be used on a footpath without requiring a helmet.

Lime currently operates in more than 80 markets around the world, and claims to have provided more than six million rides across its network of electric bikes, electric scooters and pedal bikes.

A report provided to the council shows in the 14 months after the company launched it attracted US$467 million (NZ$702m) in funding. Investors include Google Ventures and Uber. Councillor Deon Swiggs described the Lime proposal as innovative, and said the US company was taking all the risk. ‘‘It does fit in with the idea of Christchurch as a city where we can try things.’’

However, he questioned the target market given the scooters were restricted to people aged 18 and over. He also had concerns around safety and how users’ data might be utilised. ‘‘There has to be some consideration about the speed of these things, and knowing there may be conflict where people are walking.’’

Lime’s proposal said it would collect and charge the scooters overnight, reducing the risk of dumping.

Cr Vicki Buck said: ‘‘Transport options that are clean and easy for people are always good. I think this one has an element of novelty about it as well.’’

Council strategy and transformation general manager Brendan Anstiss said similar schemes worked well with public transport by offering a fast and convenient way too take the first or last part of a trip. He said the council permit would ensure the scooters met safety requirements, and specify the number on the streets.

‘‘Ride share schemes tend to integrate well with public transport, offering a fast and convenient way for people to make the first or last part of their journey,’’ he said. ‘‘They also offer . . . a fun and active way to get around the city.’’