Lime likely in Queenstown

After getting the boot from Auckland, Lime is now expected to set up shop in Queenstown.

Queenstown Lakes District councillors will be asked on December 12 to consider a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lime to trial e-scooters.

Ongoing discussions with Lime have resulted in a draft MoU which includes a number of controls to ensure public places are managed appropriately and to promote safety for anyone using the e-scooters, council property and infrastructure general manager Peter Hansby says.

“While we don’t fully understand yet whether our existing infrastructure is suitable for a commercial e-scooter operation, the trial period will help us to test Queenstown’s suitability for an increasingly popular way of getting around that could help people get out of their cars and ease congestion on our roads,” he says.

Up to 400 scooters will operate mainly in and around the Queenstown town centre if the MoU is approved. However, the council says the intention is to test their use across the Wakatipu basin.

“The timing and extent of the trial area is yet to be determined but we’re keen to understand whether the e-scooters offer a safe and genuine alternative for people coming into town from nearby suburbs. We’ll also be asking for community feedback while the trial period is underway,” Hansby says.

Other controls included in the MoU are limits on operation times, where the scooters can be parked to ensure pedestrian and mobility scooter access is maintained, clear signage and rider education to be implemented by Lime.