Coming just months after blue Ford GoBike launched in the East Bay, the City of Alameda launched its own dockless bike share system. After deploying 300 green LimeBikes on the island this October, the city reported that people took more than 10,000 trips in the first month of operation. Now, LimeBike is due to go #BeastMode in mid-December a sponsorship from Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch. New Beast Mode branded LimeBikes—after Lynch’s football nickname and line of lifestyle clothing—will roll out in Alameda this December.
Unlike the blue Ford GoBike system operating in Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville, LimeBikes are free floating. Instead of picking up or dropping off at a bike share dock, users unlock LimeBikes with a smartphone app and then leave the bike on the sidewalk or a bike rack at the end of their ride.
While this flexibility makes the dockless system is faster and cheaper to deploy, other cities have had challenges with improperly parked or abandoned bikes. The City of Alameda is assessing the system with a six-month pilot running through April 2018.
Bike East Bay worked with Bike Walk Alameda and the city to hold LimeBike accountable for bringing a responsible and affordable bike service to the city. We asked the company to respond within two hours to complaints about incorrect parking. We are also continuing to advocate for a low-income membership option, like the $5 per month membership LimeBike provides to low-income users in Los Angeles.
How to Use Limebike
Bikes are simple to find, unlock, and ride off on using the iPhone or Andriod smartphone app and cost $1 for every 30 minutes. Adults are encouraged to bring their own helmet, and everyone under 18 is required by law to wear a helmet. During the launch, the first five rides are free using the code “EASTBAYLIME”. For more information, see the City of Alameda’s LimeBike page.