By ANNA USHER

Lime Bikes are coming to Mosman, and the council’s own agenda papers, published ahead of next Tuesday’s meeting, concede it has almost no power to prevent it.

A report to Mosman Council recommends it accept the US company’s proposal to operate in the local government area – not because councillors want to, but because, under new NSW laws, refusing an approved operator requires grounds that Council does not have.

“Council does not have the ability to unreasonably prohibit an approved operator from operating within its LGA,” the report states.

Lime – which already operates in North Sydney and Manly – has proposed a “soft launch” into Mosman: removing the geofencing restrictions currently in place along Spofforth Street, allowing bikes to drift across from the existing fleet.

“In effect, no bikes would be placed directly within Mosman; rather, their presence would occur through a gradual influx from the adjoining North Sydney LGA,” the report states.

The agenda papers are candid about the company’s motivation. Lime “is likely seeking to establish an early presence within Mosman to position itself as the first micromobility provider under the emerging legislative framework,” they state.

Under the plan, Lime would monitor demand and usage patterns before considering any further expansion.

North Sydney Rangers moved more than 100 Lime Bikes in a single month.

The early months of North Sydney’s November 2024 rollout proved chaotic. Council Rangers moved more than 100 bikes posing public safety risks in a single month, with Council warning it was “not resourced for these additional responsibilities.”

Residents were furious. “They are a menace,” North Sydney local Victoria Houlder told Mosman Collective at the time.

Mosman Council’s biggest concern: Balmoral and the foreshore.

Mosman Council’s report, to be discussed at next week’s monthly meeting, flags visual clutter, footpath obstruction and “foreshore and high-use public areas” as key risk zones – a category that would include Balmoral and Clifton Gardens.

The recommended approach limits designated parking to a small number of strategic locations, including Mosman Bay Wharf, B-Line stops, beaches and commercial centres.

Parks, ovals and sensitive public spaces would become no-go zones enforced by geofencing.

Councillors would receive a proposed map of parking locations and operational zones to review before any rollout begins.

Council gets 20¢ a trip – and may still lose money.

Under the proposed NSW regulatory model, operators pay 80¢ per trip, with Transport for NSW retaining 60¢ and councils receiving 20¢ to cover enforcement, complaints and infrastructure costs.

Mosman Council’s report warns that those funds “may not fully offset” the costs of managing the service.

Despite accepting that it cannot refuse Lime’s entry, Council has made clear that it will use impoundment powers if the company does not meet the agreed performance standards.

Lime says improperly parked bikes are generally removed within four hours. In North Sydney’s early months, that was not the experience of residents who contacted Mosman Collective.

Across Sydney, Lime’s fleet numbers roughly 14,000 bikes.

Mosman Council meets at 7pm on Tuesday, 2 June at the Civic Centre, Mosman Square, Spit Junction. The meeting can be viewed via webcast at webcast.mosman.nsw.gov.au.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: What do you think about Lime Bikes arriving in Mosman?