Bikeshares temporarily removed from Seattle following JUMP-Lime merger
May 26, 2020, 4:58 PM
(Courtesy of JUMP Bikes)
(Courtesy of JUMP Bikes)
Another episode in Seattle’s long bikeshare history is underway as the red JUMP bikes previously spotted on city streets will temporarily be removed for maintenance and system changes.
Uber, which owned JUMP, led a $170 million investment in Lime with participation from other investors as well. As part of the investment, Lime acquired JUMP’s business operations. Once Lime expands its mobile app integration with Uber, and bikes return to the streets, users will be able to use either the Lime or Uber apps to access the bikes.
“Micromobility will be vital to the new world affected by COVID-19 and we are already seeing this as cities begin to move again. With our new financing and expanded offerings, we are strongly positioned to meet the needs of riders in a safe and reliable way,” said Wayne Ting, CEO of Lime.
The bright green Lime bikes were all removed from Seattle streets by Dec. 31, 2019. The company’s permit had expired and they were already in the process of reducing the fleet for winter. However, the removal of the bikes was not a sign of the end for Lime. The company had said at the time that they hoped to work with Seattle to offer a mix of scooters and bike options by spring 2020.
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Seattle’s first attempt at a bikeshare system in Seattle started in 2014 with Pronto!, which was station based and only lasted three years, shutting down in April 2017. After Pronto!, private companies descended on Seattle. LimeBike, SPIN, and ofo were all part of the initial station-less pilot program, though SPIN and ofo were short-lived. JUMP bikes started arriving on scene in late 2018.
JUMP bikes are expected to return with new Lime branding.
“The absence of bikes will be a small blip, then they will come back. … We’ll be here a very long time,” Lime spokesperson Jonathan Hopkins told the Associated Press.
