Rental scooters are the latest way to get around in numerous cities around the world. They are fast, easy to use, and allow people to zip on sidewalks and through crowds without leaving much of a carbon footprint or tiring out the legs.
Unfortunately, constant rental scooter use can get expensive. Most charge $1 upon getting the scooter, and then an additional $0.15 for every minute. If you use these scooters often as a primary source of transportation, then it might be a good idea to get your own model.
But who makes BIRD scooters, and who makes Lime scooters? In this article, we take a look at the manufacturer of the scooters used by services like BIRD and Lime: Ninebot by Segway and Xiaomi Mi.
Ninebot is a brand created by the manufacturer Segway. It is the official name for most of the electric scooters produced by Segway and includes many different products.
BIRD and Lime use several models created by Ninebot to better suit the needs of their customers and the cities themselves.
If you are looking to purchase the same kind of scooter like the one you use to get to work, it will most likely be one of these scooter models.
The Segway Ninebot ES4 is so popular at Lime that some sellers literally advertise the model as the Lime-S Ninebot ES4. This is because Lime purchases this model en masse and then recolors them with the traditional green and white motif of the company.
The Lime scooter specs are quite simple. This is an easy-to-use kick-start electric scooter that distinguishes itself by being affordable and foldable. It possesses an electric and manual brake for easy stopping and reaches a top speed of 18.9 mph. The total range is 28 miles, so users will need to have a handy location for recharging nearby.
If you want to literally have the kind of scooter used by Lime but are unable to buy a refurbished Lime scooter, then this is the way to go.
The Segway ES2 is an older model originally used by both BIRD and Lime before more modern variations hit the market. This means you get the convenience of having an older, but still respectable, scooter for a more affordable price. This is the original BIRD and one which can be found both at shops for refurbished vehicles and online.
The Segway ES2 has simple specs. The highest speed reached is 15 mph, with the ability of the scooter to cross terrain with a 15-degree gradient. It can also travel up to 15 miles before needing to be charged and can accommodate individuals who weigh 220 pounds or less.
This is one of the only scooters used by BIRD and Lime that is not made by Segway. This model comes from a Chinese manufacturer called Xiaomi and is popular in multiple cities around the world. It deserves special mention for being the least expensive and also the most lightweight. This is the scooter model for people who want to zip around on sidewalks and enjoy their mobility.
The Xiaomi Mi M365 specs are basic. It can reach a full speed of 15.5 mph and has a maximum travel distance of 18.6 miles between charges. It is portable and foldable and has the shortest braking distance out of the three models.
Since both BIRD and Lime use this style of scooter, it works well for fans of either service. This scooter is more common in the Eastern hemisphere though, so it might be difficult for fans to find it in the refurbished shops of Europe or North America.
Both BIRD and Lime utilize some of the best adult e-scooters on the market, taking advantage of larger manufacturers and their ability to create devices with high speeds, battery charges, and weight limits.
Whether you are a major proponent of BIRD or just like to get around on a Lime in your city, you can’t go wrong with any of these models. Just remember to keep a charging station handy and to do some research on whether scooters are street legal or not in your area.
Rasmus is the creative lead at ERideHero. As a jack of all trades, Rasmus handles videography, photography and review write-ups as well as website development. He has tested more than 100 personal electric vehicles of all sorts across more than 6,000 miles.
