Lime supplies six e-bikes for Christchurch tenants

Lime has partnered with the Otautahi Community Housing Trust (OCHT), gifting up to six restored e-bikes for tenants in Christchurch to use free to increase community transport accessibility.

OCHT Brougham Village residents’ e-bike services are managed from Lime’s Christchurch warehouse, the e-bikes stored and charged in a locked cage for tenants to access quickly through the Lime app.

“Communities thrive when people are connected,” says Lime ANZ general manager Hugo Burt-Morris.

“That’s why our team is dedicated to providing sustainable transportation to all, regardless of age, background, income or ability.

“Our partnership with OCHT allows us to provide the most affordable, accessible and equitable service to this community, and help improve the lives of our riders and their neighbourhoods.”

Lime’s Christchurch operations manager Liam Carroll says Lime e-bikes allow tenants the freedom and opportunity to travel in a sustainable way, while also getting fresh air and playing a part in their community.

This collaboration between OCHT, University of Canterbury, University of Otago and Lime – launched in December 2022 for the initial summer period as a part of a study to investigate the benefits of shared transport – has had more than 1800 e-bike rides totalling at least 6700km, equal to four lengths of New Zealand.

While the trial is still in its infancy, OCHT and Lime are considering expanding the offering at the current housing site, with the opportunity for other sites to be involved in the future.

Results include residents being able to see friends and family and visit important places like the supermarket and pharmacy more often.

In 2021 Lime launched its “Lime Access” programme which offers a broader discounted rate programme for those with Community Services Cards.

In Christchurch, this programme has completed about 10,000 discounted trips, totalling more than 16,000km.

Meanwhile, Lime is offering a 50% discount on e-scooter and e-bike rides from voting centres for the election through to October 14 via its “Lime to the Polls” programme, using the code VOTENZ2023 to receive the discount on the return trip, available in Christchurch, Hutt Valley, Palmerston North, Hamilton, Tauranga and Auckland.

“Lime to the Polls” started in the US in 2018, and has run in Canada, France, London and Australia.

Click here to sign up for the Lime Access programme and for more information.