Tuesday February 3rd 2026
Edinburgh Voi e-bikes next to the castle
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Since launching in September, Voi’s UK General Manager announced that there has been over 185,000 journeys on the recently introduced e-bikes placed across the capital.
Travelling around 450,000km (around 11 times round the earth), the popular eco-friendly mode of transport has been explained as an ‘integral part of Edinburgh’s sustainable transport network’, leading to the company making its third expansion into the city’s north west region.
Already proving significantly more popular than the capital’s last e-bike hire scheme, Just Eat Bikes, which had only 100,000 journeys its first year of operating, the Voi bike hire scheme increase the fleet on Tuesday to 700 e-bikes, introducing the transport to residents of Stockbridge, Crewe Toll, along the Hawthornvale Path and towards Newhaven.
Expanding the fleet, the additional bikes will be supported by new parking locations in the expanding operational zone with Voi seeking input from presidents on parking, already receiving over 500 suggested parking locations since launching last year.
On Tuesday, the e-bike operator expanded into the north west of the city.
Map showing the e-bikes operating zone
Riders must park in the designated parking areas shown on the Voi app. The app also provides a photo of each parking location and guidance on responsible parking. Riders who do not use the designated spaces or who park improperly may receive a warning.
Despite concerns, the operator explained prior to launch in August 2025, that ‘preventing vandalism and theft is essential’.
The last e-bike operator Just Eat Bikes ended in 2021 due to vandalism and cost to the council.
Despite the previous operator causing cost issues within the Edinburgh Council, Transport boss Stephen Jankinson explained the uptake figures recorded since launching as ‘groundbreaking’, showing an average of 1000 journeys a day, expressing that he is ‘delighted’ that it is moved into its third phase.
He explained: “We saw our highest ever single total just last week, with almost 17,000 trips recorded across seven days. The data speaks for itself in terms of the scheme’s incredible popularity and success.
“We’re now reaching our original citywide target number for e-bikes, with the scheme covering large swathes of the Capital. It’s great to see people enjoying this convenient, economical, and environmentally friendly way to get around.
“Our dedication to improving our city for everyone is further underlined by our ambitious City Mobility Plan and our serious approach to tackling the climate emergency.”
The e-bikes have played an important role in the council’s City Mobility Plan with the large number of Voi e-bike trips since launch replacing over 35,000 car trips, tackling the climate emergency and helping the city achieve its green goals.
Voi UK’s General Manager, James Bolton, added:
“We’ve worked closely with the council and stakeholders to introduce parking locations that keep pavements clutter-free while offering our riders freedom.
“We’ll continue responsibly developing the scheme, in collaboration with the council, to keep Edinburgh moving.”
Watch below a video reviewing the e-bikes after their launch last September.
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