I’ve taken 100+ Lime bike rides: here’s what the data reveals

Not everyone shares Timothée Chalamet's love for the bright green bikes and I can't blame them. They've turned some footpaths into obstacle courses, and I've been trapped inside my old inner-city terrace more than once by e-bikes blocking my door.

I wasn't a big fan either until I actually rode one — a trip that usually took 15 minutes was cut to five, and it was by far the most enjoyable mode of transport I'd ever taken.

How much does a Lime bike cost compared to an Uber?

That was in May of 2023. I've ridden over 218 kilometers in the 2 years since — almost the entire distance from Sydney to Canberra — across 114 rides. I've also racked up a sizeable bill, spending $722.64 in total.

Surprisingly, an Uber from Sydney to Canberra is cheaper. When I checked, an UberX cost $607 for the same trip.

Long-distance travel isn't the point of Lime bikes though. Within the city, they're often cheaper than an Uber or taxi — especially if you know where the bike lanes are.

The minimum Uber fare is $9.80 so as long as a Lime ride stays below that, it'll technically the cheaper option. Of course, if you're only riding 500 meters (as I have done with my friends a few times), you're probably better off skipping the bike and Uber and just walking.

It's hard to know exactly what you'll be charged for an Uber thanks to surge pricing. Luckily, taxi fares are more transparent and charge a flat $2.50 surcharge during "peak times". Based on a few randomly selected trips around Sydney, riding a Lime bike generally cost 50% to 75% less than hailing a cab.

Taxis aren't the only alternative though. Public transport in Sydney has significantly improved in recent years, especially with the introduction of the light rail.

Some of my rides — like trips 1 and 3 in the map above — could have both been done on public transport with a little walking, for a lot less. A light rail trip under 3 km costs just $2.24 off-peak or $3.20 during peak hours. Train fares are slightly higher: up to 10 km costs $2.94 off-peak and $4.20 during peak.

The need for speed

The key to getting the cheapest ride is speed. If you're confident on a bike, know the bike lanes, and get lucky with traffic lights, you can score a much cheaper ride.

Lime charges a $1 unlock fee, then $0.57 per minute (rounded up to the nearest minute — cheeky, I know). The quicker you finish your trip, the less you pay. Riding at 6 to 7 km/h means an average cost of $7 per km, similar to Uber or taxi fares in city traffic.

How to squeeze the most out of your Lime bike

Know your bike lanes — Before riding, check your route. If the main roads don't have bike lanes, opt for a quieter parallel street instead.

Check your bike before riding — Lime bikes live in the city 24/7, and they've seen some things — especially after a night out. I've witnessed them used for tackling practice and even launched as projectiles. A traveller in London even used the front basket to keep their oysters and champagne cold.

Give your bike a quick once-over. Check the brakes, tyres, and pedals. (I lost a pedal in the middle of a main road during rush hour once — wouldn't recommend it.) If something's wrong, reporting it is easy. When I've had issues, Lime refunded my money the same day.

Choose your riding times wisely — Peak-hour rides tend to be slower and more expensive. My cheapest rides have been late at night when roads and footpaths are clearer. Between 10 pm and 6 am, fewer obstacles (pedestrians) mean faster, more cost-effective trips.

The verdict

If you can easily get public transport, this is definitely the cheapest option. However, if you're in a rush, far from a station, or dealing with yet another train strike, Lime bikes can be a great option — just check the brakes before you ride, make the most of bike lanes and avoid peak hour.

Finder's Insights Column examines issues affecting the Australian consumer. It appears weekly on finder.com.au.