Edinburgh Council has selected Voi Technology to operate its new e-bike hire scheme following a competitive tender process. The Swedish company beat bids from rivals Lime and Dott to secure the contract for the capital's return to bike sharing.
The two-year trial begins this Friday, August 22, with an option to extend for up to 18 months. A small number of dockless electric bikes will initially launch in the city centre before expanding across Edinburgh through the autumn, though the exact public launch date remains unconfirmed.
Transport convener Stephen Jenkinson previously said he was "confident" the pilot would begin during Edinburgh's festival season. However, with less than two weeks of the Fringe remaining, it remains unclear whether this can still be achieved.
Previous scheme's costly failure
This marks Edinburgh's cautious return to bike sharing four years after scrapping a troubled initiative. The previous scheme, operated by Serco under the Just Eat Cycles brand, ran from 2018 to 2021 and cost the council £1.8 million despite being designed as cost-neutral.
That scheme was plagued by vandalism and theft, with bikes frequently thrown into the Water of Leith. This time, the council emphasises the new scheme will operate at no cost to the local authority, with Voi bearing all operational expenses.
The council is set to collect any inappropriately parked bikes and charge Voi a fee for their return, as is the case with cycle hire schemes in cities like London. The council said this process would not be rushed as its priority was ensuring it "works effectively and in the best way possible".
Safety concerns and technology
Living Streets Edinburgh welcomes the announcement but stresses the need for proper enforcement to prevent pavement cluttering. David Hunter, the group's convenor, said bikes should be docked on roads rather than pavements "because they are legally vehicles".
Hunter emphasised that enforcement must prioritise pedestrian access: "It's got to be the fundamental principle that the bikes don't make it harder for people to walk. That's got to be an overriding principle and not just in terms of determining the locations but in terms of enforcement."
Edinburgh Live reports that Voi uses a photo verification system requiring users to photograph their bike's parking location to prove proper placement. The company expanded from e-scooters to e-bikes in 2022 and operates across UK cities including Liverpool, London, and Northampton.
Council optimism
Stephen Jenkinson said: "I'm delighted that we've reached this key milestone to deliver a new cycle hire scheme for Edinburgh. Voi brings a wealth of experience in this field, operating across the UK and internationally, and I'm very excited to see how the scheme will progress here in the Capital."
He added his thanks to council colleagues who had been able to turn around this vital scheme for the city quickly and efficiently. The scheme will bring benefits including allowing residents and visitors a new way to travel around the city while cutting congestion and pollution.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Heraldscotland", "Edinburgh Live", "Scotsman" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
