Lime joins Edenred Benefits to launch a custom-designed commuter benefits program featuring Lime bikes, scooters and mopeds, offering commuters affordable, efficient, and sustainable choices in cities across the US

As a glimmer of light peaks through at the end of the long, dark tunnel that has been the COVID-19 crisis, Cities are starting to consider how they'll get people back to work once it's safe again. One of the biggest fears is that commuters will hop in a personal car to get to their office as many have seen car ownership rates jump, with residents expressing concern over returning to public transit and ride sharing. It's the last thing cities need after a year of cleaner air and reconsidered street space allocation.

That's why we're excited to team up with Edenred Benefits, the leading corporate mobility provider in the U.S., to launch a new mobility program integrating traditional transit benefits with sustainable commuting options from Lime. Through the new partnership, Edenred’s clients can now offer their employees subsidized access to Lime’s e-bikes and e-scooters--and soon e-mopeds--with the same card they use to pay for transit or parking.

While micromobility is not yet designated a pre-tax commuter benefit by the federal government the way transit and parking are, employers can enable the new commuter options for their employees by setting aside direct funds for micromobility use. Edenred Benefits serves more than 10,000 employers, who employ more than 10 million people in the United States. By subsidizing trips on Lime's light electric vehicles via the card they already use for commuting, employers can help to fundamentally shift how people get to work--taking cars off the road and making the air cleaner for all.

The partnership between Edenred and Lime launches as many city residents are already adapting their travel patterns due to COVID-19. Electric bikes and scooters provide are getting second look as socially-distant, open-air alternatives to traditional commutes.

"Technology is enabling exciting new ways for people to move around and it is reshaping traditional commuting," said Ed Fleischmann, CEO at Edenred Benefits. "Our goal is to develop and deliver mobility solutions for employers that offer the most comprehensive access to affordable, efficient, and sustainable commuting choices for their employees. We are excited to provide together with Lime a flexible first and last mile connection to our participants that facilitates access to transit and helps the environment by lowering carbon emissions."

"We’re excited to join with Edenred Benefits to expand and further incentivize the use of shared electric vehicles," added Sam Sadle, Lime’s Senior Director of Government Relations for North America. "These types of innovative partnerships are the latest step toward changing commute patterns away from cars and toward more sustainable, efficient and affordable options. Millions of eligible users will now have improved access to Lime’s top-of-the-line e-bikes, e-scooters and e-mopeds, helping to realize our shared vision of a multi-modal future in all major US cities; a future that prioritizes people over cars, with shared, electric and carbon-free transportation."

Micromobility continues to experience a rapid increase in popularity as a complement to public transit. More people are looking for effective, safe and eco-friendly modes of transportation. These new commuting options can drastically reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, make streets safer for all users, and improve the health of millions of workers around the country.

Throughout the pandemic, cities have adapted to encourage more sustainable transportation options to relieve congestion and pollution. This new benefit from Edenred and partnership with Lime will help commuters take advantage of recent changes, including freshly-installed bike lanes and shared streets, while meeting their demand for more shared, affordable and safe options for trips around cities.

As Edenred Benefits has found, expanding employers’ ability to support their employees’ commuting options offers a higher level of engagement at a time when improving workplace satisfaction has never been more challenging. For employers bringing the workforce back to offices under the safest conditions, the additional micromobility options ensure that those concerns are reduced.

The partnership also helps employees mix and match existing commuting options such as transit with micromobility to get from door-to-door easier and more conveniently than ever.

"Whether the daily commute starts on a train and ends with a shared bike, or if it’s on an e-scooter all the way, we got them covered," Ed Fleischmann adds.

"We know how important public transit is to the success and health of cities and anything we can do to help people opt for cleaner commutes, we're excited to help make happen," noted Sam Sadle.

The Edenred mobility program gives employees more freedom, flexibility and control. It also gives employers another valuable tool to show their appreciation to their staff, which Lime is excited to help support.