Voi electric hire bike schemes approach major milestones in Edinburgh and Glasgow
Extra 200 bikes being added in both cities
The soaring popularity of Edinburgh and Glasgow’s new electric hire bikes has been confirmed by operator Voi revealing it has clocked up nearly 1 million rides in each city less than a year after their introduction.
The success comes as the Edinburgh scheme is due to be expanded from 800 to 1,000 bikes by the end of the week, especially in Leith, following the suspension of trams to Newhaven following the Princes Street fire on July 9.
The bike fleet in Glasgow’s long-established scheme is being increased by 200 to 1,200 to coincide with the Commonwealth Games, which started on Thursday.
Voi runs both operations on behalf of the cities’ councils.
The Edinburgh scheme, which has started as a two-year pilot in September, has recorded more than 977,000 rides.
It is also expected to be extended to more of the city in time for the start of the Edinburgh Festival next month after being expanded three times from an original 120 bikes in the city centre - north eastwards in October, southwards in December and north westwards in February.
The Scotsman has revealed that hire rates have been up to 2.5 times higher than under the previous Edinburgh scheme, which collapsed in 2021.
The take up in Glasgow has been up to six times that of the previous existing Ovo Energy-sponsored nextbike scheme, which Voi replaced in November.
Total hires reached nearly 825,000 between then and the end of June compared to fewer than 137,000 in the same period last year.
Last month, bikes were hired 216,574 times compared to 22,578 in June last year.
The past hire fleets in both cities were mainly non-electric.
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “Work is underway to increase both bike availability and parking locations across the city.
“Expansion into under served and outlying areas is being considered where there is sufficient demand and operational feasibility.”
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Voi described the 1 million milestone - which is expected by next month - as an “extraordinary achievement”.
The Swedish firm, which operates bike hire schemes across Europe, said: “The two milestones reflect the strong appetite for convenient, affordable and sustainable travel options in Scotland.
“They also demonstrate the value of Voi’s close partnership with Glasgow City Council and the City of Edinburgh Council, alongside continued investment in the schemes.”
Voi senior public policy manager Harry Foskin said: “It is a powerful indication of the demand for active, sustainable travel in Scotland, and of the role shared e-bikes can play in helping people make everyday journeys without relying on a private car.
“People are choosing Voi e-bikes because they are a convenient, enjoyable and affordable way to travel.
“Whether they are heading to work, connecting with public transport, running errands or visiting friends, riders are showing that shared e-bikes can be a natural part of city life.
“We have seen positive progress in parking compliance as riders become increasingly familiar with how and where to park responsibly.”
The riders who make the millionth trip in each city will receive a year’s free rides.
A City of Edinburgh council spokesperson said: “Officers are working closely with Voi to provide additional capacity, particularly in and around Leith, and will be expanding the fleet from 800 to 1000 bikes by the end of this week.
“Additional bike parking infrastructure is being arranged in the city centre to accommodate those travelling into the city from Leith and Newhaven.”
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