Seattle Leads Global Rollout Of LimeGlider, Lime’s Newest Electric Vehicle

Seattle has become the first city in the world to officially launch LimeGlider, a new class of electric vehicle from Lime, the world’s largest shared e-vehicle company. Following a successful 2024 pilot, LimeGlider joined the city’s fleet of e-bikes and e-scooters on May 7, with plans to scale to more than 3,000 units. The move solidifies Seattle’s growing status as a global leader in sustainable micromobility.

The rollout is part of a broader strategy by Lime to deploy over 10,000 LimeGlider and LimeBike vehicles across a dozen cities in North America and Europe in the coming months. Lime selected Seattle for the global debut due to its rapid growth in ridership and supportive infrastructure. Seattle riders logged 2 million trips in the first four months of 2025—a 113% increase from the same period in 2024—making the city one of Lime’s top-performing markets worldwide.

Hayden Harvey, Director of Government Relations at Lime, said the company sees strong demand for sustainable options in Seattle.

“Seattlites continue to vote with their rides for more sustainable transportation options, making the Emerald City one of the best in the world for two-wheeled travel,” Harvey said. “We’re excited to officially launch the LimeGlider here… as we remain laser-focused on improving our service with major investments in operational staff, technology to improve parking, and rider education for a safer environment.”

Adiam Emery, Interim Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation, said ridership has nearly doubled year-over-year.

“Shared bikes and scooters are a very popular way to get around Seattle – people have already taken 2 million rides in 2025, which is nearly twice as many trips as this time last year,” Emery said. “We’re excited that Lime is rolling out this new option so that more people can select a device that works best for their needs.”

The LimeGlider introduces a new level of comfort and usability to shared electric vehicles. Designed to combine the seated ease of a bike with the convenience of a scooter, it features a padded, lower-positioned seat, footrests instead of pedals, and a step-through frame for easy

access. Larger 20-inch wheels and wide 2.5-inch tires provide a stable ride and better traction. Riders will notice ergonomic hand grips that reduce fatigue and intuitive phone holders that enhance navigation during trips.

Joe Kraus, President of Lime, said the new vehicle has already proven popular among users.

“During our initial pilots last year, it was clear that the LimeGlider earned the love of our riders, with people returning to them frequently for local travel,” Kraus said. “We’re so excited to take our next step with these vehicles and bring them to more cities this spring.”

Technology upgrades on the LimeGlider include improved GPS precision for better responsiveness in identifying parking areas, restricted zones, and low-speed corridors. A wider and lower-positioned front basket helps riders manage errands more efficiently, without affecting steering.

Built with safety and inclusivity in mind, the LimeGlider’s low center of gravity offers improved maneuverability, especially when starting and ending rides near curbs. The design reflects feedback from groups traditionally underrepresented in Lime’s rider base, including women and older adults.

Gordon Padelford, Executive Director of Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, noted that thoughtful design and infrastructure work hand in hand.

“The LimeGlider’s low center of gravity, large wheels, and long wheelbase should make it a fun, safe, and approachable ride,” Padelford said. “Options like the LimeGlider when combined with new bike lanes and trails being built this year will help propel Seattle forward to a safer and more sustainable future.”

Sustainability is central to the LimeGlider’s engineering. The vehicle was built to last longer and sustain higher usage rates with fewer repairs. It features a modular design based on learnings from Lime’s Gen4 fleet and uses interchangeable batteries with those e-bikes and scooters, streamlining operations. Lime says the LimeGlider is its most repairable model to date.

Alex Hudson of Commute Seattle said vehicles like the LimeGlider support the city’s climate and transportation goals.

“More micromobility options that work for more people means fewer people choosing to drive alone,” Hudson said. “Devices like LimeGlider are a convenient option that help make Seattle a more vibrant, sustainable, and connected place.”

Seattle’s partnership with Lime includes shared efforts to enhance safety and infrastructure. Lime continues to host First Ride Academies, distribute free helmets, and advocate for more protected bike lanes. Its expanded Foot Patrol program targets high-traffic neighborhoods like downtown, the U-District, and Alki Beach to ensure proper parking.

In collaboration with King County Metro, SDOT, and Sound Transit, Lime also offers riders free transit tickets for commuting to designated Link light rail stations—an initiative aimed at reducing car trips and supporting multimodal transportation.