Lime have launched 600 e-scooters in Auckland and 400 in Christchurch, but concerns have been raised about their safety.
Some Aucklanders are seeing red over Lime's e-scooters.
Herald readers have shared their near misses with the e-scooters as concerns grow around the safety of the vehicles and the way some riders are using them.
One reader said they were almost run over by a Lime e-scooter when two youths raced down a slope.
"I was nearly run over last week in Lorne street by two youngsters who raced down the slope past the library as I walked up to the office. They did not apologise, nor even seemed worried about the fact that they [were] reckless," the reader said.
Another Herald reader said they had "already seen a couple of near misses on the pavement where pedestrians don't hear them coming".
"I was passed by one recently, but the person rang the bell otherwise I wouldn't have known until it was right beside me," they said.
In a photo provided to the Herald, an e-scooter rider is seen giving someone a piggyback at the same time.
Two people are seen riding a Lime e-scooter outside TVNZ's building on Nelson St, Auckland. Photo / Supplied
Another member of the public told the Herald they saw two school aged children in their uniforms riding the one scooter together in the cycle lane during 5pm rush hour traffic.
A Herald reader said scooter riders also pose a safety risk to toddlers and small children, having seen adults riding them at high speeds next to playgrounds.
"At Rocket Park, the only place for a four-year-old to bike or scoot now that e-scooters have arrived is in circles inside the fenced area of the playground itself, which isn't the same for the kids as being able to ride along the pavement or on the gravel path next to the playground. There are also instances where two adults are riding on one scooter together – imagine that crashing into a 4 year old on a tiny bike," they said.
According to one Herald reader, who has nearly been hit twice, different organisations have been palming him off regarding his concerns.
"I called the council, they told me it was Auckland Transport's problem. I called them and they said it was police matter as approval had been given to operate these on footpaths but pointed out bicycles are not allowed. I contacted the police and they said they can only action if there's a crime committed and referred me to Auckland Transport," he said.
"Someone will get seriously hurt, then they might act. Unless there's a radical change in attitude and culture with our authorities we're stuck with this nonsense. Their arrogance is unacceptable."
Hank Rowe, Lime Launcher, told the Herald rider safety was their top priority and urged safe practice when riding Lime's scooters.
"Rider safety is our top priority, which is why we urge riders to practice safe riding by wearing helmets both through notifications on the app and on the actual scooter.
"We do not condone reckless driving in any form and encourage our users to put the safety of themselves and others before anything else when using any of our vehicles.
"The response from Auckland and Christchurch so far has been overwhelmingly positive. We have received a number of requests for more scooters to be deployed within both cities as well as requests for Lime to expand to other locations in New Zealand," Rowe said.
The sudden proliferation of e-scooters has already drawn stark warnings from two safety advocates.
