Electric scooters are very à la mode at the minute, and for good reason, too! They’re better for the environment than cars, offer exercise when you choose to turn the motor off and save some battery, and they’re insanely cheap to use — we’re talking a penny per mile!
This is why the company, Lime Scooters, have thrown their hat in the shared scooter arenas around the globe. Instead of buying your own Lime electric scooter, you can simply find them docked in your area, use the Lime app to rent them out for a certain time period.
You can think of them as a hip new version of the Boris bikes that line the streets of London, and, needless to say, they’re an absolute hit! However, if these vehicles are going to replace the cars, trains, and buses in your life, there’s one thing you need to know… top speed.
Keep reading to understand ‘How Fast Do Lime Scooters Go?’
Why It’s Important To Know The Top Speed Of Lime Scooters
Before we delve into ‘How Fast Do Lime Scooters Go?’, let’s look at why it is important to be aware of the top speed of Lime Scooters. It’s great that these state-of-the-art scooters are reducing the environmental burden of transport, saving us some money, and helping us get the exercise we need, but if we don’t know how fast they can travel, how are we to know when we should set off for an engagement?
In this fast-paced modern world, a lot of the time, being late isn’t tolerated, so we need to know how fast these things can get us from A to B. It’s also important to know their top speed, so we’re aware of what we’re getting into before stepping on deck.
So, How Fast Can A Lime Scooter Travel?
Now we have an understanding of the importance of knowing the top speed, let’s answer the big question: How Fast Do Lime Scooters Go?
There are currently four primary models of Lime scooter:
- Lime S — Gen 1
- Lime S — Gen 2
- Lime S — Gen 3
- Lime S — Ninebot
The Ninebot, with technology developed by Segway, is a commercial product rather than a shared vehicle, and it can travel at speeds up to a whopping 18.9 mph (30.4 kph).
That’s pretty dang impressive for such a small vehicle, but do bear in mind that 18.9 mph is well beyond the average city speed limit, so if you’re riding these bad boys around town, keep a close eye on that speedometer.
All the other Lime S models are designed for public use as shared vehicles in city centers. As such, it’s critical that they don’t exceed the average city speed limit of 15 mph, which is why Lime caps their shared scooters at 14.8 mph (23.8 kph).
This way, they can stick to the laws of most areas and keep riders safe, but the really great thing about this speed cap is that cars will only be traveling a fraction faster, so you won’t have to worry about setting off earlier to make it to your engagements on time — woo!
Now, that doesn’t mean that every Lime shared scooter you come across will be able to wiz through your environment at nearly 15 mph.
Many areas, particularly university campuses, have much lower speed limits, and if Lime wants to use these institutions as a base for scooter sharing, they must adhere to the local regulations.
So, depending on your location, you may be able to travel at 14.8 mph, but you could just as well be stuck with one that maxes out below 8 mph.
Lime Scooter Speed And Rider Weight
The top speeds of, not just Lime scooters, but all electric scooters, are also affected by rider weight. The lighter the rider is, the closer the scooter will be able to get to its maximum rated top speed.
The heavier the rider is, the larger the burden on the motor, and the slower the scooter will travel, especially uphill when working against gravity.
Lime scooters have a weight capacity of 300 lbs, which is respectable, as most electric scooters top out between 220 and 265 lbs, but you can guarantee that beyond the 265 threshold, you’ll notice at least partially reduced performance.
How Far Will One Battery Charge Take You On A Lime Scooter?
Now you know how fast you’re liable to get from place to place on Lime scooters, your next query likely pertains to how far one could take you, after all, cities are big places. The last thing you need is for your scooter to run out of juice before you’re halfway to your important meeting.
Well, the good news is that you’ve got absolutely nothing to worry about. The batteries in Lime scooters have some serious oomph. In just one charge, a Lime scooter can travel 20+ miles, the “+” signifying that it can go a lot further when used on optimal terrain with few uphill sections.
So, if you’re trying to go all the way across a large city, you may run into some trouble, but for 99% of journeys within the city, a Lime scooter will get you there and then some.
Do I Have To Wear A Helmet When Using A Lime Scooter?
Much like rules regarding speed limits, helmet laws differ from place to place, so before you ride a Lime scooter, be sure to check the local guidelines.
If you’re not sure what they are and are having trouble finding out, just play it safe and wear a helmet. In fact, even if you know for a fact that you don’t have to wear a helmet while riding a Lime scooter in your area, wearing one is never a bad idea.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, folks — Shared Lime scooters are typically capped at 14.8 mph (23.8 kph) in order to stay within the average city speed limit of 15 mph (24.1 kph). However, there are a few exceptions.
Should the speed limit in an area be lower than the city average, any public Lime scooters will likely be capped at the local rate.
What’s more, the weight of the rider can also prevent these scooters from reaching their top speed, as can the terrain — Lime scooters will go a little slower when traveling up hills.
Now you know all this key information, you’re free to rent out a Lime scooter, and enjoy some cheap, green mobility, saving your bank account and the environment one journey at a time.
We hope this article helped answer ‘How Fast Do Lime Scooters Go?’
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