Lime e-scooters have made a comeback in Brussels, thanks to an anonymous competitor that facilitated a license transfer to the American company. This reinstatement comes after Lime’s 6,000 scooters were removed from the streets last week following the expiration of its operating license.
The situation arose from a ruling by the Belgian Council of State, which upheld a prior decision to limit e-scooter operations in the city to Bolt, Dott, and Voi. In a surprising twist, another rental company stepped in to support Lime, which has partnered with Uber, and offered to transfer its license in what Lime described as “a remarkable show of industry solidarity.”
Regulatory challenges and safety concerns
Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt emphasized that the city is limiting the number of e-scooters to ensure the safety and comfort of all road users. She remarked, “It is ironic that Uber/Lime is using its army of lawyers to challenge a regulation expressly requested by the sector. Uber/Lime is now using all legal means, but the system can only work if everyone plays by the rules.”
The temporary arrangement allows Lime to operate in Brussels until December 5, when the new license will also expire. Lime’s regional director for Belgium and Northern Europe stated, “This allows us to secure the jobs of more than 100 people in Brussels for the next five months, offering stability to them and their families during a period of legal uncertainty.”
The ongoing e-scooter saga
This development is part of a larger saga that began in 2023 when Brussels announced plans to reduce the number of e-scooters in the city from 20,000 to 8,000, citing safety issues and the need for better regulations. This move followed a complete ban on e-scooters in Paris and imposed restrictions in other European cities like Vienna and Barcelona.
Following a tender process, Brussels selected Bolt, Dott, and Voi as the only licensed operators in 2023. Lime contested this decision, arguing a lack of transparency in the selection process and currently awaits a final verdict on its appeal. In February 2025, the local authorities further narrowed the permitted operators to just Bolt and Dott, allowing Lime and Voi to continue operating until their licenses expired—July 3 for Lime and August 23 for Voi.
Additionally, Lime has initiated legal action against Brussels for failing to provide an interim solution and claims the city could be liable for millions of euros in compensation.