Lyft’s decision to cease operations of its shared e-scooters and e-bikes in D.C. as of Tuesday will mean more rides for its main competitor, Lime, which already claims record ridership in the D.C. market.
“Riders have been choosing Lime e-scooters and e-bikes more and more the last few years, and we aren’t going anywhere,” said Erika Duthely, director of government relations for Lime, without mentioning Lyft’s decision. “D.C. has become a national leader for micromobility and residents and visitors can still expect the same commitment to sustainable transportation, safe rides, and proper parking.”
Lime is currently permitted to operate a fleet of up to 4,600 e-scooters in D.C., almost twice what Lyft had been permitted to offer, and a maximum of 3,575 e-bikes. Spin and Veo are also permitted to operate e-scooters and e-bikes. Spin’s fleet size is similar to Lime, while Veo’s permitted fleet is much smaller.
Lyft said its decision to exit the D.C. market was in part financial as it rightsizes its cost structure.
“This means we will no longer operate stand-alone dockless bikes and scooters (in D.C.),” the rideshare company said in a statement.
Lyft is also exploring alternatives for its bikes and scooters in Denver.
Lime said this summer was its busiest for D.C. users with a 40% increase in ridership in the same three months of last year.
Lime is also vowing to rein in reckless riders and haphazard parking of its scooters and bikes, both communicating more frequently about the rules of the road with riders and dedicating more time and staff to rebalancing vehicles and replacing mis-parked ones throughout the District.
According to the D.C. Department of Transportation, more than 30 million shared micromobility trips have been recorded in D.C. since 2019.
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