Mobile to add seated scooters, e‑bikes and stricter rules for Lime riders

Electric scooters have been a fixture of downtown Mobile for eight years, but as the city prepares to enter a new three-year contract with Neutron Holdings Inc.—the operator of Lime—officials are pushing for a more refined and transit-oriented experience.

Expanding the Fleet and Transit Integration

The City Council is expected to approve the new agreement with Lime, the city's e-scooter provider since May 2023, this Tuesday. The contract includes two optional one-year renewals and is part of a broader push to modernize Mobile's public transit network, which has become one of Mayor Spiro Cherigotis’ early priorities.

Jacob Laurence, deputy director of administrative services, emphasized that the city aims to evolve the Lime experience. Part of that vision includes incorporating a new e-bike system into the city's public transit overhaul, which launches next month. While the current fleet of approximately 550 downtown e-scooters will remain stable, the city plans to add 15 to 30 seated scooters at bus stops, with e-bikes expected to arrive in city parks by the fall.

A New Era for Mobility

These additions will align with the launch of Second Line Transit, the new name for the city’s transit operation replacing the Wave bus network. Branded in April, the system will feature on-demand microtransit via a mobile app starting in July.

"We need to transform the identity of Lime not only as recreational, but also transit," Laurence said. "The sky is the limit on where we want to go."

Tighter Rules and Safety Measures

To combat ongoing concerns regarding haphazard parking and sidewalk usage, the city is rolling out stricter protocols. Since Mardi Gras, Lime has already lowered maximum speeds from 12 mph to 8 mph. Within the next 30 days, riders will also be required to use a new virtual corralling system, parking in designated zones marked with bright green tape and the Lime logo to conclude their trips.

The operational zone is set to expand beyond downtown, reaching into Midtown and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, the site of an $11.3 million federally funded revitalization effort.

Community and Official Response

While the Downtown Mobile Alliance supports diverse mobility options, CEO Fred Rendfrey noted that the community still reports issues with scooters being left in inconvenient places, including outside churches. Local law enforcement has also issued a reminder for both visitors and residents to operate the devices responsibly, especially during peak congestion periods.

Laurence acknowledged that maintaining order during massive events like Mardi Gras is a challenge, but noted that Lime’s advanced technology allows for geofencing and speed controls to keep streets safer for pedestrians. As the city looks to the future, it expects the expanded partnership to bring in increased annual revenue beyond the current $18,000 to $20,000 generated from franchise fees, according to data provided by 205focus.com's previous reporting.