Uber-Backed Lime Launches Electric Bikes in Japan, Shifting Focus From E-Scooters

Uber-backed micromobility startup Lime is launching electric bikes in Japan, shifting its strategy after facing challenges with its initial rollout of electric scooters in the country.

The company unveiled its new electric bike model for the Japanese market at a briefing in Tokyo on April 23, 2026, according to Terry Tsai, Lime’s country manager for Japan.

Lime’s move comes after struggling to gain traction with e-scooters in Japan, where regulatory hurdles and public concerns over sidewalk clutter have slowed adoption of shared micromobility services.

The shift to e-bikes reflects a broader pivot in Lime’s approach to the Japanese market, aiming to leverage a product that may face fewer regulatory barriers and greater public acceptance than scooters.

Lime had previously entered Japan in August 2024 with a small fleet of around 200 electric scooters and more than 40 recharging stations in Tokyo’s Shibuya, Shinjuku, Meguro and Setagaya wards.

At the time of its scooter launch, Lime emphasized a cautious growth strategy, with CEO Wayne Ting stating the company wanted to “grow slowly with the city and really earn the trust of local regulators and city officials.”

Despite these efforts, Lime faced stiff competition from domestic rival Luup, which controls over 90 percent of Japan’s shared e-scooter market in terms of ride mileage and operates more than 9,100 charging ports nationwide.

Japan’s regulatory environment for shared micromobility has required users to park in designated charging areas and follow local traffic rules, including reduced speed limits on sidewalks, in an effort to prevent the clutter and safety issues seen in other markets.

Lime’s global fleet includes approximately 200,000 electric bikes and scooters across its operations in North America, Europe and Oceania, though the company has not disclosed specific numbers for its Japanese fleet following the e-bike launch.

The company has not announced plans to discontinue its scooter service in Japan, but the introduction of e-bikes signals a strategic shift toward diversifying its micromobility offerings in the region.