Lime Reducing Fleet Size In Metuchen

METUCHEN, NJ — Notice fewer Lime bikes around downtown Metuchen? It's not just you: Lime has scaled back the size of their fleet in Metuchen in recent weeks.

The bike-share company has reduced the number of bikes, both electric and traditional, around the borough as fall approaches, a manager said. Talks to bring electric scooters to Metuchen are continuing.

"Lime currently has scaled back its bikeshare fleet in Metuchen to about a dozen bikes in as we enter the fall. We are also in talks with Metuchen and nearby areas about our scooter-sharing program, and look forward to serving Metuchen and New Jersey riders affordable and convenient transportation options," said Gil Kazimirova Lime general manager in New York and New Jersey.

As of 3:11 p.m., the Lime app shows just under a dozen bikes available in Metuchen, with several parked outside the borough's limits. The fleet is about half traditional bikes, and half e-bikes.

Metuchen is the first town in New Jersey to have the new e-bikes, after a May law legalized both the bikes and e-scooters in New Jersey.

Mayor Jonathan Busch said the legalization of scooters contributed to Lime's downsized fleet. Lime was introduced to the borough with a fleet of entirely traditional bikes, before electric bikes and scooters were legalized.

"In view of the State’s legalization of scooters, it appears that bike share companies like Lime and others are re-evaluating their strategies. Metuchen will continue to do its part to make the Borough one of the most pedestrian and bike friendly communities in Middlesex County," Busch said.