Don’t bother scanning a Lime e-bike or scooter for your cross-city commute – the company has suspended all services in Brussels starting 3 July, as ordered by the Council of State.
Brussels initially gave Lime the boot back in 2023 while attempting to downsize a bloated fleet of 20,000 scooters operated by seven companies, ultimately selecting Bolt and Dott to oversee a modest 8,000, as reported by Bruzz. Dott, Bolt – and until August, Voi – are operating as normal for those who still need to scoot.
Lime, through its ride-hailing parent company Uber, appealed the February 2024 cutoff date and got permission to operate – until its licence expired today, and the Council backed the city’s decision. Voi’s e-scooters face the same fate with a similar appeal and a licence set to expire on 23 August, but the company will operate a third of the 7,500 shared bikes alongside Bolt and Dott.
Lime’s bright green micromobility units still litter Brussels’ streets, but cannot be activated. A message in the app reads, “Lime is no longer operating in Brussels. The Brussels authorities have forced Lime to suspend services in the city.”
Brussels hopes that reduced scooter traffic – alongside the introduction of specific drop-zones to ditch bikes and scooters – will increase safety and manoeuvrability for pedestrians across the city.
(vib)
