The City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver have announced that a San Franciso-based company, Lime, has been selected to run a two-year e-bike share pilot program this summer.
Over the coming weeks, both municipalities will work with Lime to launch an initial fleet of 200 e-bikes at dozens of locations across the City and the District.
Through the Lime app, riders will be able to start and end their e-bike rides from any designated parking location for trips anywhere on the streets of the City and the District.
This e-bike share pilot will be the first all-electric bike share of its kind to start rolling on streets in BC.
Based in San Francisco, Lime has been operating shared electric mobility systems in cities such as Calgary, Ottawa, and Seattle.
Work on this e-pilot program began last year when the City of North Vancouver Council endorsed its E-Bike Share Policy, followed by the District of North Vancouver.
“For too long cities have been designed with the car in mind, leaving many people without a safe and efficient option for getting around. That’s why the City of North Vancouver is committed to delivering on innovative transportation options such as the e-bike share program,” said City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan.
DNV Mayor Mike Little said traffic is the biggest challenge for residents in the District of North Vancouver.
“E-bikes are a great way to get outside, have some fun, and see North Vancouver from a different perspective. I look forward to hearing about residents’ experiences on the e-bikes, and to seeing how the program unfolds and benefits the community,” Little said.
More information about the pilot program and its upcoming launch can be found online here.
A worthy ‘amalgamated’ decision. That said, I hope the combined police force will be ready to apply and enforce the rules of the road to all cyclists. ‘Cos, if they don’t, if e-cyclists disregard the laws the way far too many traditional cyclists have done for years, my guess is the added speed will lead to more than a few dramatic tragedies.