Lime launches pilot of its new electric motorbike in Long Beach

Mobility startup Lime is wanting so as to add electrical motorbikes to its current fleet of e-bikes and e-scooters. The corporate in the present day launched a pilot program in Lengthy Seashore, California for its customized motorcycle, which it’s calling the Citra. Lime spokesperson Russell Murphy advised The Verge that the corporate plans to launch a number of hundred Citra bikes within the California metropolis this summer season, probably topping as much as 500 motorbikes if ridership is powerful sufficient.

Based on Lime’s description of the Citra, it’s constructed for longer distances and combines “the seated consolation of an e-bike with the effortlessness of an e-scooter.” No less than aesthetically talking, the Citra undoubtedly resembles each. Much like different Lime automobiles, the Citra additionally comprises a swappable battery that will get charged by its native operation workforce. The motorcycle is provided with a couple of helpful options similar to space for storing for groceries, a horn, entrance and rear flip alerts and a telephone mount.

Lime is hoping that prospects will search various strategies of transportation just like the Citra in mild of this summer season’s record-high gasoline costs. “Citra is the proper means to save cash on gasoline, keep away from time wasted in visitors, and alleviate the complications of looking for parking this summer season and we’re enthusiastic about its potential,” mentioned Lime president Joe Kraus in an announcement.

Mobility startups have struggled to prosper attributable to opposition from native legislatures, security failures and a decline in ridership throughout the pandemic. Some have resorted to terminating workers or winding down operations in an effort to keep afloat. Again in 2020, Lime laid off a small chunk of its workforce and pulled out of Atlanta, Phoenix, San Diego, San Antonio and eight different cities outdoors the US. The corporate has made some strides since then — it raised a $523 million funding spherical final 12 months and lately unveiled a Gen4 ebike.

However Lime and different mobility startups aren’t out of the woods but. As Bloomberg famous, e-scooter ridership nonetheless hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic ranges.