Traveling through Bucharest with Lime Scooters

A few days ago, the electric scooters for rent from Lime were launched in Bucharest, which excited a lot of people, also ourselves. We are glad that this year Bucharest will offer an ideal transportation method for tourists.

What is Lime?

Lime is a US-based company that was founded in January 2017 and is called LimeBike. They have started offering bicycle rentals. In 2018 they changed their name to Lime and continued global expansion. Besides bikes, they also offer electric scooters rental service.

Lime is available in Bucharest and many other countries (currently 24 countries, all over America, and Europe). With such a network, you will automatically have to deal with a very well developt product.

How to use Lime Scooters?

Lime is very easy to use. You need a phone that is connected to the internet, and your GPS turned on, so it can locate you on the map as accurately as possible. Install the Lime app on your phone (Android, IOS) and already half of the job is finished. Then you’ll create an account and attach a card as your payment method. The application will not ask you to deposit money in your wallet, it will charge as you use it. (but you also have the option to deposit). In case you want to deposit 20 pounds, you will get 1 pound bonus, and if you want to deposit 50 pounds you will receive a £ 3 bonus. 

It’s up to you how often you use the app and whether it’s worth it or not to deposit that money.

Once you have identified the desired scooter on the map/street, you will need to scan the QR code on the scooter using the application. Scanning is very fast, and unlocking the scooter is done in seconds. From the moment the trot is unlocked, you will be charged according to the tariff until you finish the race.

To stop the race, you have to go into the app and stop the race. Once stopped, you will be asked to take a picture of the scooter where you will show where you have left it. After taking the picture, you have fulfilled all your obligations and you have successfully completed a walk with Lime scooter in Bucharest.

How much do Lime scooters cost in Bucharest?

Right now in Bucharest, Lime has the following prices:

• Starting cost is 3 Lei (~ 0.62 euros), then you pay 0,60 Lei/minute (~ 0.12 euros).

The tariff may change depending on events and other holidays. So when you look at the map after the scooter you will notice that besides the battery remaining in the scooter, it will be displayed the tariff applied. This is very convenient because in this way you will be announced in real time how much it costs to rent it.

Why is the lime ideal for Bucharest?

I think Lime is ideal if you want to discover Bucharest by scooter for the following reasons:

• There are many scooters available, you will find at least one on a nearby street.
• A relatively low cost when talking about short distances in downtown Bucharest;
• The good speed of Lime scooters, which varies between 22 and 27 km per hour;
• You can leave the scooters wherever you want, not having to leave them at a docking point. (just to respect the rules of common sense and not to bother anyone);
• You can use them any time (no time restrictions);
• Ease of use of the application, everything being very intuitive;
• Once you’ve made your account – you’ll be able to use the app in all countries and cities where Lime is present;
• It’s fun!

How it’s like to ride a Lime Scooter through Bucharest?

Riding a scooter is a great experience. These scooters are very maneuverable and speed-up immediately. This makes them incredibly fun and enjoyable. I think I smiled all the way and I was really excited about this “toy.”

Although once you leave the bicycle runway and enter the traffic you will be a little hesitant. But you will get used to the cars quite quickly. When we used them in the weekend in downtown Bucharest, we noticed that drivers were avoiding us with caution, having no problem with us (something quite rare in Bucharest traffic).

I think it is the ideal means of transport for tourists because you can leave the scooters right in front of the tourist attractions. So you do not have to deal with taxi drivers and public transportation that in the summer can affect your mood. (if you travel by bus without air conditioning.)

If I had to summarize the experience with Lime in Bucharest it would be: fun, fast and easy to use. These are the most important attributes when choosing use Lime instead of taxis.

In case I convinced you to test this means of transportation, I will leave here a link where you can take advantage of a free unblocking (3 Lei free).

Other applications for electric scooter rental in Bucharest:

• Wolfe (Starting Cost – 2 Lei, Min – 0.5 Lei, Program: Monday to Friday between 07:00 and 20:00))
• Flow (Starting Cost – 2 Lei, Min – 0.5 Lei, Program: any time)