Lime Bikes are arriving in the North Sydney local government area this weekend. Here’s what you need to know.
The Lime Bike Network is expanding its bike share operations into our local government area, starting Saturday 23 November 2024. Lime Bike’s new north shore service area covers North Sydney, Crows Nest, St Leonards and Chatswood.
Bike share can be a good form of active transport – taking pressure off our roads and contributing to a reduction in pollution. But it also comes with several risks, including for the safety of riders and pedestrians, health of our environment, and disposal of bikes and their batteries.
Council is advocating for improved regulation to manage these risks while also exploring other regulation avenues. Transport teams from North Sydney Council and other inner city councils have made recommendations for the State Government to consider in its review of bike share policy and legislation. In our submission to the NSW Upper House inquiry on the issue, we stressed that bike share systems need better oversight and management, including docking systems to reduce clutter and keep footpaths safe for pedestrians.
Safe riding
To stay safe when cycling around Sydney on busy roads, make sure to wear a helmet and familiarise yourself with the road rules. You must ride on the road, not the footpath, to keep pedestrians safe.
If you have concerns about unsafe riding, such as people riding bikes on footpaths, please report these directly to the local Police Highway Patrol Office at the Mosman Police Station on 02 8855 8900. Council rangers do not regulate these types of violations.
Safe parking
Poorly parked bikes can make our footpaths unsafe or inaccessible for the people using them. Please park bikes safely out of the way of pedestrian footpaths. For more information head to Lime Bike’s safety page.
If you find a bike that is parked unsafely or has fallen over and is blocking the footpath, please contact Lime Bike via:
- the QR code on the bike, which will connect you directly to the local team
- email at help-sydney@li.me or support-au@li.me
- Lime’s 24/7 hotline: 1800 861 305
If your request is then not actioned within 4 hours, please report the obstruction or safety risk to Council via:
- email at council@northsydney.nsw.gov.au
- phone on 02 9936 8100
Unfortunately, illegal dumping of share bikes has become a problem in some council areas, affecting local sea life and contributing to landfill waste. Broken or impounded bikes also need to be safely disposed of as electrical sparks from their batteries can ignite fires when the bikes are broken down in garbage trucks. Council will continue to work with the community to manage obstructions and safety risks in our public spaces, and riders can help by using the bikes safely and responsibly.
Updated 4 April 2025