The Hobart City Council has appointed global operator Lime to run a new shared e-bike service across the city, replacing the Beam Mobility scheme that wound up in June.
Under a 12-month permit with an option to renew, Lime will roll out around 350 e-bikes in high-demand spots including the waterfront, Salamanca and the CBD.
The smaller, compact bikes are brand new and designed specifically for Hobart, with operations expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the appointment marked an exciting new chapter for shared transport.
“We’re pleased to welcome Lime to Hobart and continue providing residents and visitors with a convenient, affordable and low-emissions way to travel around our city,” she said.
“Shared e-bikes have proven popular in Hobart and around the world and support our goals of reducing car dependence, cutting emissions and providing more transport choices.”
The permit includes designated parking requirements and no-terminate zones to keep footpaths and public spaces safe.
Reynolds said bike locations will be refined over the first few months using operational data to match demand.
Lime operates in nearly 30 countries and already runs shared e-bike services in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney.
The new service follows the council’s decision in April to ditch its mixed e-scooter and e-bike hire scheme in favour of an e-bike-only model.
Years of complaints about dumped scooters blocking footpaths, safety concerns and poor rider behaviour drove the change.
Disability advocates had repeatedly raised concerns about trip hazards for people with limited mobility or vision.
Beam Mobility had been Hobart’s sole operator since March 2024 and has been operating in the city since December 2021, but chose not to contest the new tender, with its permit expiring on June 30.
During its time in Tasmania, more than 1.1 million trips were taken on Beam devices across Hobart and Launceston, covering close to two million kilometres.
Customer enquiries for the new service will be handled directly by Lime, with regular performance reports provided to the council.
