California-based shared mobility company Lime has announced a transportation platform to offer expanded access and options for riders. The first partner to join the platform will be Wheels, a Los Angeles-based shared electric scooter company.

Lime says it chose Wheels to be the first to join its platform because of its unique design, and the safety and accessibility benefits it provides.

Lime’s platform will launch this winter, with Wheels available in the Lime app starting in Austin, Berlin, Miami and Seattle. Additional providers and markets will follow. The announcement is the first step towards Lime’s goal of building a reliable micromobility platform to ensure any person has a clean, safe, affordable and car-free mode for any trip type.

“People are demanding more shared, electric and affordable transportation options to make short trips around their cities,” said Wayne Ting, CEO of Lime. “In the near future, Lime will be the one-stop-shop for anyone looking to take a car-free trip under five miles [8km]. We’re excited to launch a platform that offers riders even more options given the vast and growing demand for alternative modes of urban transportation. We’re thrilled to welcome Wheels as our first partner on the Lime platform as its accessible, safe and unique seated vehicle is highly-sought after by riders, already helping shift urban commuter behaviour towards greener transportation and cities towards a more people-first future.”

Wheels’ vehicle design complements Lime’s micromobility offerings, filling the gap for trips that are longer than typical scooter and bike rides. The introduction of this option in the Lime app will allow riders to choose from more modes to fit the vehicle type that fits their need.

“Wheels’ mission is to ensure that everyone has access to safe micromobility options,” said Joshua Viner, Wheels’ CEO. “Given that Lime is the largest provider of shared micromobility services, we’re excited to partner with it in advancing our mission.”

The Lime platform will enable more people to get where they need to go without a car, particularly for shorter trips. Trips under 8km account for as much as 50 to 60 per cent of today’s total passenger distance travelled in the USA and the European Union. In the USA alone, 300 million car trips under 2.4km are taken each day. Micromobility offers riders a safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable option to the congested and polluted status quo.

The platform will build on Lime’s commitment to helping riders rethink their rides as people and cities adjust to a changed world following initial Covid-19 restrictions, and will offer riders a wider range of vehicles for trips in urban centres and even more accessible, safe, affordable and sustainable micromobility.

To access a Wheels vehicle, Lime users will be able to open the Lime app and activate it by scanning the QR code on the handlebar, just as they would a Lime scooter or Jump bike. Nearby vehicles will be automatically populated on the map along with pricing information. Wheels vehicles will also continue to be available for use on the Wheels app.

Lime partners with cities to deploy electric bikes and scooters enabled with GPS and self-activating locks. Lime has powered more than 150 million rides in more than 120 cities across five continents.

Wheels is a last-kilometre, shared electric mobility platform whose seated form factor changes the landscape in dockless mobility. In addition to being seated, Wheels devices have a low centre of gravity and 35.5cm wheels to help navigate uneven pavement surfaces.

Wheels recently launched an integrated helmet system that gives riders physical access to a shareable helmet with every ride they take. Because of its design, Wheels devices have a broad appeal, with half of its riders being women and with one-third being over the age of 35. Wheels is headquartered in Los Angeles and is expanding operations across the USA and Europe.

Wheels was founded by brothers Joshua Viner and Jonathan Viner, founders of the dog-walking app Wag.