Lime scooters could remain on streets until end of year

Lime scooters could be available to rent until the end of December even though the American company has been asked to leave Brussels, with Lime planning to acquire a licence from another operator no longer active in the capital.

The move has immediately sparked a legal battle between Lime and Brussels Mobility, Bruzz reports.

Brussels limited the number of scooter companies allowed to operate in the region after mounting complaints about what the nuisance they caused. The regionopened a public tender for three licenses that went to Bolt, Dott and Voi.

Lime, along with several other companies, was not chosen.

Lime said that it takeover of an existing licence, likely from Gliize or Bodaz, is "a show of solidarity" and that 3,500 Lime scooters would available be again in Brussels.

The decision to limit the number of Brussels operators to three sparked a legal battle between the region and companies such as Lime that were not selected.

Lime was able to offer rental scooters until earlier this month, but a court case pending before the Council of State has not yet ruled for what can happen beyond that.

“There will be a final ruling on the Brussels government's scooter reform and we’re receiving favourable signals that the ruling will be positive,” Sofie Staelraeve, head of public affairs for Benelux at Lime, told Bruzz.

“We now hope to bridge the period until that ruling with our shared scooters. This will also prevent the region from having to pay penalties if the Council of State rules in our favour.”

Lime said that it had done nothing illegal by taking over an inactive company’s license and that it was invited to do so by the operator itself, which Lime will not reveal.

“We studied the question thoroughly and ultimately decided to seize the opportunity,” said Staelraeve.

“After all, the operator was no longer fulfilling its licence. Of course, this is subject to an agreement.”

Brussels Mobility spokesperson Inge Paemen said the region was examining whether such a transfer is indeed legally possible and that mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) is nevertheless displeased with the American company’s tactics.

“We’ve tightened the legal framework for shared scooters by introducing drop zones and limiting the number of scooters – this was necessary to guarantee the safety and comfort of all road users,” said her spokesperson.

“It’s ironic that Lime is deploying its army of lawyers to attack regulations that were explicitly requested by the sector. Lime is now using all legal means at its disposal, but the system can only work if everyone respects the rules.”