Atlanta picked as first U.S. city to see inclusive new e-bike fleet

Describing Atlanta as “one of the leading micromobility cities in North America” with a growing bike infrastructure network, leaders of the world’s largest shared electric vehicle company have decided to debut their latest transportation invention in ATL before all other U.S. cities.

Lime has deployed a limited number of new e-bike models in Atlanta called LimeBikes that aim to be more accessible, repairable, and enjoyable for riders in numerous ways, per the company.

Lime officials say the number of LimeBikes on Atlanta streets will be ramped up to more than 700 in coming weeks, replacing the company’s full current fleet. The models are geared toward making micromobility more accessible for women, older riders, and commuters who need extra room for storing items such as groceries, per company leaders.

Atlanta was picked as the first U.S. city for LimeBike’s launch “thanks to the city’s continued investments in new infrastructure that make active travel safer and more accessible—from protected bike lanes to pedestrian-friendly paths like the Beltline,” according to an announcement today.

Courtesy of Lime

Lime has good reason to be bullish on the Big Peach and its growth prospects.

The company has seen a 62 percent year-over-year total ridership spike in Atlanta over the same months in 2024; in the same period, e-bike ridership has grown more than 105 percent, per the company. (Lime, the largest micromobility provider in Atlanta, has logged 650,000 e-scooter trips and 86,000 e-bike trips in the city so far this year—and more than 5.5 million rides since the company launched here in 2018.)

Key changes to LimeBikes will help riders who struggle to pedal for extended periods or those looking for more comfortable replacements for car trips, per company officials. Those include:

Smaller, 20-inch wheels meant to feel more compact and approachable, with a step-through frame that makes mounting and dismounting easier;
Wider front baskets for carrying larger items; baskets are also positioned lower for better turning when they’re full;
Repositioned battery for a lower center of gravity to help with maneuverability and stability;
Enhanced onboard tech that improves location accuracy and helps quickly identify location-based parking spots, in addition to low-speed, restricted-access, or no-parking zones;
Tires that are 2.5-inches wide for stronger traction, especially in when conditions;
Ergonomic hand grips designed to reduce fatigue;
A new ergonomic clamp design that makes it easier for riders to change seat heights;
A modular design that makes LimeBikes the company’s “most repairable vehicles to date,” per Lime.

Carol Antúnez, Lime’s senior manager of government relations, said additional investments in the Atlanta market—including more staff, “smarter operations,” and “continued rider education to promote safe use and tidy parking”—will be geared toward beefing up services here.

More broadly, Lime plans to deploy more than 10,000 LimeGlider e-scooters and LimeBike vehicles in coming months across about a dozen cities in Europe and North America. The costs of riding Lime vehicles vary in each city.

Courtesy of Lime