Lime bikes to be rolled out across West Midlands - including Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall

The West Midlands Combined Authority announced that Lime bikes will be rolled out across the West Midlands very soon.

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Lime bikes will be available from April 1 in Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull, and will soon be available in Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall.

Lime will be introducing its next-generation LimeBike to the West Midlands meaning it will be the first UK region where the fleet will consist entirely of the new model of e-bike.

The authority says that the West Midlands will become Lime’s second largest geographically (behind London), providing the region’s three million population with a convenient, sustainable and affordable form of transport.

Lime will take over from the current cycle hire and e-scooter providers in the region.

The council adds: "The agreement means that for the first time the hire scheme will operate at no cost to the taxpayer. Until now cycle hire has cost £1.4m a year to run."

Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, said: "This new partnership makes us the first UK region to host a full fleet of Lime’s latest e-bikes, giving our people a world-class service across our towns and cities.

“Along with our ongoing investment in safe cycle routes, this will make it easier for people to choose cycling as an accessible, affordable and sustainable alternative to the car for shorter journeys and help us improve air quality and cut traffic congestion.”

Tom Newham, Lime senior manager of public affairs at Lime UK, said: “We’re excited to introduce the new LimeBike to the West Midlands, the first UK region to welcome a full fleet of the new model. 

"The LimeBike has been designed to be our most accessible and intuitive bike yet, making it easier and more comfortable for all kinds of riders. 

"With multiple towns and city centres in close proximity, supported by strong public transport connections, the West Midlands is well suited to shared micromobility. 

"Working with Transport for West Midlands and local councils, we’re proud to be helping more people choose cycling for everyday journeys."

Transport for West Midlands posted on X announcing that Lime bikes will be coming to the West Midlands, rolling out  next-generation e-bikes and e-scooters.

However, the reaction in the comments did not garner support and praise for the new scheme. 

One user said on X: "Please not, we don’t want to turn it into a no go area for pedestrians like London. Lime bike should be banned from the UK until all their bikes are docked in proper parking spaces."

Another user added: "Can't wait for these to be dumped everywhere like in London".

On the back of badly dumped Lime bikes across London, the firm has recently launched a redesigned rental e-bike.

The transport company is rolling out 1,500 smaller e-bikes equipped with enhanced sensors that make it harder to dump the vehicles away from designated parking bays.

Lime’s new bikes will also include a remodelled frame and smaller, 20in wheels to take up less pavement space.

The US company, which operates around 50,000 dockless rental bicycles, continues to face backlash due to badly parked, dumped or broken Lime bikes that have littered pavements in London.

Lime bike riders are required to leave their bicycles in designated parking bays.

Riders are then asked to take a photo of how they have parked their bike and upload it to Lime’s app. Failing to park properly can lead to fines of up to £20.

However, bikes can often be parked away from the designated bays because of inaccurate tracking data showing the location of the bike.

Lime said its new model, launched this week, would feature updated GPS technology expected to be accurate to a distance of 1.5 miles - making it easier to remind cyclists to park in designated bays.