Lime has scrapped a trial that allowed Deliveroo riders to bypass speed restrictions on its rental e-bikes after questions were raised over the policy.

The scheme, first reported by London Centric, gave riders using Lime’s new Delivery Pass access to areas where ordinary users would automatically be slowed down by the company’s “turtle mode” system.

The restrictions, which can reduce speeds to as little as 8mph, operate across parks, pedestrianised streets and other locations where Lime has agreed limits with local authorities due to higher risks of collisions with pedestrians.

According to leaked internal Whatsapp messages, Matt Ward, Lime’s US-based general manager for new verticals, told a group of delivery riders in April the company was “testing allowing delivery drivers exclusive access to quickly deliver into these areas without losing boost”.

The publication reported that the changes applied to both yellow “go slow” zones and some red zones where Lime does not normally have agreements to operate.

The trial formed part of Lime’s push into the food delivery market through its Delivery Pass product, launched earlier this year.

The service offers couriers unlimited access to Lime bikes from £12 a day or £49 a week and includes a detachable cargo rack designed for deliveries.

The initiative is aimed at providing an alternative to the modified and often illegal e-bikes widely used by delivery riders across London.

Company pedals back after questions

After being approached by London Centric, Lime confirmed the trial was ending and said speed restrictions would be reinstated for delivery riders.

A spokesperson said: “The Lime Delivery Pass is in its pilot phase, and we’re continuing to learn and test new features that help optimise the experience for delivery riders.”

The company added: “We are currently in the process of reinstating ‘turtle mode’ and yellow ‘go-slow’ zones for delivery riders. This was tested in limited areas for a short period of time as we continue to learn and build our Delivery Pass. That trial is ending and will not be part of our offering to delivery riders going forward.”

The controversy comes as Lime expands its Delivery Pass offering across London amid growing scrutiny of illegal e-bikes and battery safety.

The company has argued that offering delivery riders access to regulated, speed-limited vehicles could help reduce reliance on modified bikes, which have been linked to a rise in lithium battery fires across the capital.

The trial’s cancellation also comes as Lime weighs a potential public listing.

The company filed for a Nasdaq IPO last month, that could value the business at around $2 billion.