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Edinburgh launches e-bike hire programme with Voi
There will be an initial tranche of around 50 e-bikes in the city centre and the council and Voi will gather feedback and monitor performance of the scheme.
Edinburgh is launching its new trial e-bike cycle hire scheme, delivered by Swedish micromobility company Voi.
The public will be able to use the city’s new scheme of dockless e-bikes from Wednesday 3 September via the Voi app.
City centre e-bikes
A typical 20-minute journey on the e-bike will cost £2.20. There are a range of discounts and concessions for many groups including those on low incomes, people with disabilities, those over the age of 60, blue light workers, veterans, students, apprentices and many more.
In addition to pay-as-you-go fares, Voi also offer day passes and multi-day passes.
There will be an initial tranche of around 50 e-bikes in the city centre. Alongside Voi, Edinburgh City Council will gather rider feedback and monitor initial performance. This will then be used to expand across the city over the coming months, with a target of approximately 800 e-bikes for the full scheme.
“The scheme will complement our existing active travel and transport infrastructure and enhance connectivity, while also cutting congestion and reducing emissions”
“I’m really pleased that we’ve returned a cycle hire scheme to Edinburgh,” said transport and environment convener, councillor Stephen Jenkinson. “Voi is a highly experienced operator, with many successful schemes across the UK and abroad, and I’m looking forward to working with them in this exciting new chapter for our city.
“The new scheme will allow everyone to be able to move around our city in a healthier and more sustainable way. We’re also ensuring that the scheme is accessible for all our residents and visitors, with a wide range of concessionary and discount fares available.
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“We know that the demand and appetite for cycling is already strong, and getting stronger, here in Edinburgh. Just last week we saw the record for daily cycle journeys on Leith Walk being broken with 2,147 at the Picardy Place counter. Meanwhile, our other major active travel routes such as the City Centre West to East Link and Roseburn to Union Canal have also seen increasing patronage since opening.
“The scheme will complement our existing active travel and transport infrastructure and enhance connectivity, while also cutting congestion and reducing emissions. I look forward to seeing the benefits the scheme will bring to the city and our residents.”
The contract between Voi and the Council runs from 22 August 2025 for a period of two years with the option to extend for up to a further 18 months undertaken at the sole discretion of the council. The contract will also run at no cost to the council.
“At Voi we see massive amounts of untapped potential in Scotland, where people are really looking for affordable, quick and convenient ways to get around”
“We’re excited to set up in Scotland, starting in the historic capital,” said James Bolton, Voi’s UK general manager.
“We are working closely with the council to make an affordable scheme that is sensitive to, and learns lessons from, the previous scheme and our experience in similar cities like Oxford, Dortmund, and Regensburg.
“At Voi we see massive amounts of untapped potential in Scotland, where people are really looking for affordable, quick and convenient ways to get around.”
A guide to using the scheme is available on the Voi website.
Why not try these links to see what our SmartCitiesWorld AI can tell you.
(Please note this is an experimental service)
How will the e-bike scheme reduce congestion and emissions in Edinburgh?What discount options are available for vulnerable and low-income groups?How will rider feedback influence the expansion of the e-bike fleet?What measures ensure the scheme's accessibility for all residents and visitors?How does Voi's experience in other cities benefit Edinburgh's e-bike program?
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