The North Vancouver e-bike share program is about to get rolling.
After seeking bids from businesses to supply the bike and operate the program in February, the City of North Vancouver announced Monday that it had selected San Francisco-based Lime as its partner for the two-year pilot project.
Many of the details are still being ironed but over the “coming weeks,” Lime will begin to deploy a fleet of 200 e-bikes at dozens of designated parking locations across North Vancouver.
With their battery-powered electric assist, e-bikes make it easy to conquer steep, imposing hills like the ones the North Shore is known for. The city has partnered with the District of North Vancouver on the project in hopes that it will help woo more people out of their vehicles.
“We all want to live in a connected community where moving from place to place is easy. 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. “This exciting new pilot has been long awaited and I look forward to hearing the community feedback.”
When it is up and running, riders will be able to book a bike via the Lime app and leave their bike at any designated parking location.
“Traffic is the biggest challenge for residents in the District of North Vancouver. The e-bike share pilot is an exciting way to expand active transportation options across our region. E-bikes are a great way to get outside, have some fun, and see North Vancouver from a different perspective,” said District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little.
Although Lime has already been up and running in Calgary, Ottawa, and Seattle, the all-electric bike share program will be the first of its kind in B.C.
“We are deeply grateful to Mayor Linda Buchanan, Mayor Mike Little, and their colleagues in government for giving us this opportunity to provide residents and visitors alike with safe, affordable access to a hugely popular sustainable active transportation mode. We look forward to building the best possible e-bike share program for the people of the North Shore," said Jen Freiman, General Manager Lime Canada.
After two years, the city and district will evaluate the program.
