Lime scooters towed

Lime electric scooters are being taken by an Auckland towing firm following complaints some are in the way.

Auckland Towing says it has about 23 Lime scooters and several Onzo bikes in storage at the request of its clients, Newshub reports.

A manager says customers have approached the towing company because people are tripping over the scooters and bikes.

It’s asking up to $200 negotiable for each scooter and bike to be returned and says what it’s doing is “totally legal” because the scooters are only being taken when they’re left on private property, Newshub says.

“GPS can easily tell where we’re taking them off from,” Newshub was told.

“They are classed as vehicles… the law is the same law that allows us to take cars.”

An Auckland Council spokesperson says the items were seized from private property so there’s little it can do.

Lime says towing firms should have no reason to take its scooters.

“Non-compliantly parked scooters should be reported to Lime via the app or via a phone number printed on the scooter (0800 467 0001) and Lime will pick them up within three hours of this being reported,” Lime NZ public affairs manager Lauren Mentjox told Newshub.