We are excited to announce that Wheels and Lime have entered into a partnership that will make Wheels available for rides through both the Lime app and the Wheels app in select cities. Wheels’ mission is to expand access to safe, affordable, and sustainable transportation options, so we’re glad to make it even easier for riders to get access to Wheels. And we are honored that Lime recognizes the unique safety and accessibility benefits that Wheels provides and that they asked us to be the first partner in their platform. Here is the full announcement:
Lime Launches First Micromobility Platform With Wheels
First-of-its-kind MaaS platform expands micromobility access for riders globally
Wheels will be available via the Lime app in Austin, Berlin, Miami and Seattle starting this winter, with more partners to follow
San Francisco, CA (October 8, 2020) – Lime, the global leader in shared mobility solutions for all trips under five miles, today announced a new, first-of-its-kind transportation platform to offer expanded access and options for riders. The first partner to join the platform will be Wheels, a shared electric vehicle company that offers a unique scooter design and will diversify Lime’s offerings. Lime chose Wheels to be the first to join its platform because of Wheels’ unique design, and the safety and accessibility benefits it provides.
Lime’s new platform will launch this winter, with Wheels available in the Lime app starting in Austin, Berlin, Miami and Seattle. Additional providers and markets will follow. Today’s announcement is the first step toward Lime’s goal of building the most reliable micromobility platform in the world to ensure any person has a clean, safe, affordable and car-free mode for any trip type.
“People are demanding more shared, electric and affordable transportation options to make short trips around their cities,” said Wayne Ting, CEO of Lime. “In the near future, Lime will be the one-stop-shop for anyone looking to take a car-free trip under five miles. We’re excited to launch a platform that offers riders even more options given the vast and growing demand for alternative modes of urban transportation. We’re thrilled to welcome Wheels as our first partner on the Lime platform as its accessible, safe, and unique seated vehicle is highly-sought after by riders, already helping shift urban commuter behavior towards greener transportation and cities toward a more people-first future.”
“Wheels’ mission is to ensure that everyone has access to safe micromobility options,” said Joshua Viner, Wheels’ CEO. “Given that Lime is the largest provider of shared micromobility services, we’re excited to partner with it in advancing our mission.”
Wheels’ unique vehicle design complements Lime’s micromobility offerings, filling the gap for trips that are longer than typical scooter and bike rides. The introduction of this option in the Lime app will allow riders to choose from more modes to fit the vehicle type that fits their need.
The Lime platform will enable more people to get where they need to go without a car, particularly for shorter trips. Trips under five miles account for as much as 50-60 percent of today’s total passenger miles traveled in the United States and the European Union. In the U.S. alone, 300 million car trips under one and a half miles are taken each day. Micromobility offers riders a safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable solution to the congested and polluted status quo.
The platform will build on Lime’s commitment to helping riders rethink their rides as people and cities adjust to our changed world following initial COVID-19 restrictions, and will offer riders a wider range of vehicles for trips in urban centers even more accessible, safe, affordable, and sustainable micromobility solutions.
To access a Wheels vehicle, Lime users will be able to simply open the Lime app and activate it by scanning the QR code on the handlebar, just as they would a Lime scooter or JUMP bike. Nearby vehicles will be automatically populated on the map along with pricing information. Wheels vehicles will also continue to be available for use on the Wheels app.
About Lime
Lime’s mission is to foster people-first cities by empowering residents with more affordable, reliable, and sustainable transportation options. As the global leader in micromobility, Lime partners with cities to deploy electric bikes and scooters enabled with GPS and self-activating locks. Lime has powered more than 150 million rides in more than 120 cities across five continents, spurring a new generation of clean alternatives to car ownership. Learn more at li.me.
About Wheels
Wheels is a last-mile, shared electric mobility platform whose seated form factor changes the landscape in dockless mobility. In addition to being seated, Wheels devices have a low center of gravity and 14-inch wheels to help navigate uneven pavement surfaces. Wheels recently launched a first-of-its-kind integrated helmet system that gives riders physical access to a shareable helmet with every ride they take. Because of its unique design, Wheels devices have a broad appeal, with half of its riders being women and with one-third being over the age of 35. Wheels is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and is currently expanding operations across the U.S. and Europe. Wheels was founded by brothers Joshua Viner and Jonathan Viner, founders of the popular dog walking app Wag! Learn more at www.takewheels.com.
