A weekly mechanical check is now required on Lime scooters in Auckland.
Lime scooters are expected to return to Auckland streets next week, but the company must comply with new conditions. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
Auckland Council has lifted its temporary suspension of the scooters, but they are unlikely to re-appear on the streets until next week.
The suspension was issued due to a software defect.
The glitch caused the wheels to lock up unexpectedly, which in some cases threw people over the handlebars and injured them.
There were 155 reported incidents nationwide, including 30 injures. Auckland Council was not told about the issue by the company until after they had found out from media reports.
Lime scooters were also taken off the streets in Dunedin after problems with locking brakes, but on Thursday Christchurch expanded its fleet by 300 scooters to a total of 1000.
Lime is still in a trial period in Auckland, and is pushing for a longer term or permanent licence.
The scooter company and the council have agreed on a new set of conditions.
Under the conditions, every e-scooter needs to be mechanically checked weekly and serious incidents must be reported to the council within 24 hours.
A council spokesperson said Lime had accepted the conditions, but it would not re-launch the scooters until the middle of next week.
Dunedin City Council spokesperson Simon Pickford said Dunedin planned to follow Auckland's lead and Lime representatives had agreed verbally to the conditions.
Mr Pickford said as soon as there was written confirmation, Lime scooters would be back on Dunedin streets.
Mr Kimpton said other companies have spoken to Auckland Council and indicated they could launch their own e-scooters in the next few weeks.
