Shared electric scooters and bikes are set to hit Bellevue city streets starting Monday, as the city partners with Lime to launch a fleet of 500 devices across downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. The initial rollout includes 350 scooters, 100 seated gliders and 50 e-bikes, giving residents a new way to cover short distances without a car.
City officials say the shared electric devices can connect riders to bus and light rail service, cutting down on parking hassles, car trips and congestion, according to KOMO News. Officials describe the shared electric mobility program as a flexible and affordable transportation option for people who live, work or spend time in Bellevue. The rollout follows years of groundwork: city staff worked with local elected leaders for three years to draft scooter legislation before the city issued a competitive Request for Proposals for shared micromobility in early 2026, with Lime winning the bidding process in April, according to 425 Magazine.
Rules of the Road for Bellevue’s New Fleet
Ahead of the launch, Bellevue updated its municipal code in July 2025 to specifically govern motorized foot scooters, setting a minimum rider age of 16, capping speeds at 15 mph, banning tandem passengers and prohibiting sidewalk riding unless there is no safe alternative, per the City of Bellevue. The update aligned local law with state statutes ahead of permitting a commercial operator.
The city has also built in equity provisions. Riders enrolled in ORCA LIFT, Medicaid (Apple Health), SNAP or utility assistance programs can qualify for Lime Access pricing of just $0.50 to unlock a device and $0.07 per minute, according to the City of Bellevue. For residents without smartphones, Lime is offering a dedicated text-to-ride service at (415) 463-3473 to unlock scooters and e-bikes, the city says.
A Second Try After a 2019 Exit
This isn’t Lime’s first attempt at shared mobility in Bellevue. The company ran a 400-vehicle electric bike share pilot in the city starting in August 2018, drawing more than 9,000 riders, but declined to renew its permit in late 2019 as it shifted its business focus toward e-scooters, according to GeekWire. Seven years later, the city is reintroducing shared e-bikes alongside scooters and gliders under a new, broader agreement…