http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme en Fri, 15 May 2026 18:15:16 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-384120 Thu, 07 May 2026 17:34:45 +0000 chdot 384120@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“trailers loaded with bikes waiting ready to grab &amp; go to clear the crowds - could do some trials at Tynecastle or Easter Road? (or a demo option handing out bikes at the start for PoP26 &amp; collecting them back at Holyrood?)“</p> <p>Great idea</p> <p>I have had no contact with Voi (some people on here have) but get the impression they are ‘busy’ managing current operations and dealing with expansion plans (in conjunction with CEC)</p> <p>No idea how innovative they intend/hope to be</p> <p>(But then I don’t even know where their maintenance/storage operation is based!) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-384119 Thu, 07 May 2026 16:25:55 +0000 Tulyar 384119@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>As pointed out VERY early on</p> <p>Scotland has avoided the mayhem seen in England because Councils have used <strong>Section 97 Roads Scotland Act 1984</strong> and the facility to licence any commercial use of public roads<br /> This means that the T&amp;C plus KPI have been set out clearly for any contractor/concession operating public bike hire in Scotland</p> <p>This is a detail I highlighted in my 1997! (29 YEARS AGO) report on cycle parking &amp; cycle hire for DETR</p> <p>It also needs to be extended to cover deliveries by cycle AND by light vans where both are linked to modern slavery &amp; other abuse of gig workers - a detail reported on by Ben Knowles and The Grocer magazine with illegal workers using illegal e-mopeds using black market sales of mobile devices &amp; SIM's to get jobs delivering food &amp;c but exploited by those selling illegal access to the work and taking a further % for this operation (I have URL for articles but need some help to manage this data if anyone available in the West) </p> <p>When the fire closed Glasgow Central High Level all the VoiBike locations along Paisley Road were swamped with demand from people unable to get a train and squeezed off buses </p> <p>Back in 1980's RATP ran a bike hire scheme with mobile hire hubs - single deck 2-door buses stripped out and carrying - to hire out or collect in - around 60 bikes for large events - so perhaps imagine an event at Murrayfield with buses loaded with bikes (or trailers loaded with bikes waiting ready to grab &amp; go to clear the crowds - could do some trials at Tynecastle or Easter Road? (or a demo option handing out bikes at the start for<strong> PoP26</strong> &amp; collecting them back at Holyrood?) </p> <p>I have pictures from Velo City in Paris and the square outside<br /> Hotel de Ville rammed solid with hire bikes and 7 buses loading them up to take back to depot a serious 'Critical Mass' event </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-384083 Wed, 06 May 2026 15:00:43 +0000 pringlis 384083@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Broadly working well but there are still times where it's impossible to get a bike. I came out of Warrender today and almost all the bike parking in the south (the blue dots) were empty with huge clusters of bikes in the city center. Walked home instead...<br /> <img src="https://i.ibb.co/xqMtRgyh/IMG-9384.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-383687 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:04:50 +0000 chdot 383687@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Forest, London’s homegrown e-bike operator, has partnered with Islington Council to sponsor their Adult Cycle Training programme – an initiative designed to help riders improve their cycling skills and confidence, so they feel safe on the roads. Forest has invested £12,500 to support the initiative, which is open to anyone who lives, works, or studies in Islington. Residents are entitled to two free cycle skills sessions, which can be booked on the Islington Bikeability website. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://micromobilitybiz.com/forest-invests-in-islington-councils-cycle-training-scheme/" rel="nofollow">https://micromobilitybiz.com/forest-invests-in-islington-councils-cycle-training-scheme/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-383661 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:03:34 +0000 gembo 383661@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Was given a free Voi brand folding cycle helmet in the office today. Three colleagues also availed themselves of. The bounty </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-383532 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 20:24:13 +0000 chdot 383532@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not Ed, not Voi</p> <p>“</p> <p>Cycling is far safer and healthier than driving but there have been lingering concerns about the choices made by an unregulated private transport company. As things stand Lime is not accountable to any external checks when it comes to the safety of its vehicles or their maintenance regime. </p> <p>Lime has already defended its safety record, even as it faces an ever-growing number of lawsuits over shattered bones. The company has established itself as the dominant player in London e-bikes and has recently looked to cement this by launching a £6.99 a month subscription option that offers unlimited rides of up to 20 minutes for a flat £1.70, below the price of a London bus fare. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.londoncentric.media/p/lime-bike-london-lime-leg-new-design" rel="nofollow">https://www.londoncentric.media/p/lime-bike-london-lime-leg-new-design</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-383066 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:30:10 +0000 chdot 383066@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YySD!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F968c1c82-4592-424c-98c9-f183f4ffe83a_750x500.jpeg?"></p> <p>CEC image </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-383061 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 22:34:52 +0000 chdot 383061@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>About 600 available </p> <p>Tue 9.30 </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-383060 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 22:00:18 +0000 chdot 383060@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Already </p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=875808371746023&amp;id=100079506035235&amp;http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc3MDE1MjMxOTAwMCwiciI6IiJ9" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=875808371746023&amp;id=100079506035235&amp;http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc3MDE1MjMxOTAwMCwiciI6IiJ9</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-383059 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:21:11 +0000 chdot 383059@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>New area LIVE! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-383058 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:01:46 +0000 wingpig 383058@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There was a link to the bit in the paper on BlueSky this morning which seemed to have been released on the understanding that it's use of the last tense would not be undermined by the absence of the expanded section in the app at that time. It also seemed a bit "brave VOI nobly expand even further" rather than "still not covering anything like the whole city like they originally suggested they would by the end of the year". I look forwards to moving them out of the way of fire exits and dry riser inlets the next time I pass through the new section. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-383057 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:13:14 +0000 pringlis 383057@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Pleasing to see those high usage numbers shared. With the exception of a few teething issues around the parking, which seem entirely fixable, I don't think anyone could paint this scheme as anything other than a success. Hopefully they continue to build on it and don't see meeting the initial target of 700 bikes as job done. Still plenty of scope to expand further out of the city centre and for anyone who has concerns about vandalism I'd point out that Glasgow has had no issues putting Voi bikes in less salubrious parts of town such as Possil. The social advantages of doing so far outweigh the perceived risks of bikes ending up in the canal/etc. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-383056 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:59:47 +0000 bakky 383056@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not live yet - and no dates in press release. I'd expect the operational side of this kind of stuff probably prohibits exact dates? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-383055 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:40:47 +0000 chdot 383055@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“<br /> Edinburgh's shared e-bike scheme is expanding </p> <p>“</p> <p>Know any date(s)? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-383054 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:19:54 +0000 bakky 383054@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><strong>Edinburgh e-bikes extend northwest</strong></p> <p><a href="https://freeimage.host/i/ft942l2"><img src="https://iili.io/ft942l2.md.jpg"></a></p> <p><em>Edinburgh's shared e-bike scheme is expanding into Stockbridge, down to Crewe Toll, and along the Hawthornvale Path towards Newhaven.</em></p> <p>This expansion will increase the fleet to 700 e-bikes and will be accompanied by new parking locations in the expanded operational zone. </p> <p>Voi will continue to work with the Council and stakeholders to consider further areas of responsible expansion. </p> <p>Voi has sought input from residents on parking and has already received over 500 suggested parking locations since launching, and is working with the council to manage demand for parking responsibly.</p> <p>Riders must park in the designated parking areas shown in 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, and repeat offenders can be fined or even banned.</p> <p><strong>Transport and Environment Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, Stephen Jenkinson, said:</strong></p> <p>“I’m delighted that we’re moving to the next phase of our excellent cycle hire scheme. The uptake figures we've recorded since launching have been groundbreaking, showing an average of over 1,000 journeys per day. 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.</p> <p>“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. </p> <p>"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."</p> <p><strong>James Bolton, General Manager for Voi in the UK, said:</strong></p> <p>“We’re delighted that Voi has already become an integral part of Edinburgh’s sustainable transport network. </p> <p>“Since launching, we’ve delivered over 185,000 journeys, travelling roughly 450,000 kilometres, the equivalent of 11 laps around the world, and replaced over 35,000 car trips.</p> <p>“We’ve worked closely with the council and stakeholders to introduce parking locations that keep pavements clutter-free while offering our riders freedom. </p> <p>“We’ll continue responsibly developing the scheme, in collaboration with the council, to keep Edinburgh moving.” </p> <p></blockquote> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-383019 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 23:18:40 +0000 pringlis 383019@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was surprised at how small the kickstand is, especially compared to the one on my Tern GSD. I'd think they could pretty easily swap them to larger ones whenever the bikes are in for maintenance. A bit wider and they'd be fine, could probably even rig some extenders similar to the GSD.</p> <p><img src="https://cdn.webshopapp.com/shops/246487/files/430917410/image.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-383018 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 21:35:38 +0000 Morningsider 383018@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well, that seems needlessly nasty. Why try and make an issue out of a request for a meeting to see how the scheme could be further improved? Who could this possibly impress? Unless there is some untapped constituency of people who love seeing fallen over hire bikes then I have to reckon - no-one.</p> <p>As an aside - the falling over is an issue for users as well as passers-by. I have hired a couple of bikes that have had a wonky pedal, obviously caused by toppling over. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-383017 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:15:40 +0000 MediumDave 383017@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cllr Jenkinson clearly loves poasting drama just as much as his extremely online predecessor the Prof </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-383016 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:06:53 +0000 wingpig 383016@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just the other day I was trying to search the TEC and full council minutes online to find an exchange between Cllrs Booth and Jenkinson which I think was also relayed on Bluesky in the early days after the launch when availability was abysmal, where the question "any news from VOI?" was not-answered with "we shall hear from them in the report due in X months" - I was trying to find out what the X had been, and if it would have passed yet. I'll poke through some Bluesky replies one by one when I have time. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-383014 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:09:49 +0000 bakky 383014@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Having claimed Bluesky was free of trolling...</p> <p><blockquote><br /> <strong>‪Cllr Stephen Jenkinson</strong>‬ | ‪@stephenjenkinson.bsky.social‬ | <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/stephenjenkinson.bsky.social/post/3mdfba7c7v22b">6h</a></p> <p>Weird Green Motion Alert Chas Booth just can’t get over the fact that I’ve done more to encourage cycling in Edinburgh in 4 months than he’s done in 40 years! A reminder that this service has been introduced at no cost and no risk to the taxpayer</p> <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-cycle-hire-scheme-criticised-by-greens-over-teething-problems-5490850" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-cycle-hire-scheme-criticised-by-greens-over-teething-problems-5490850</a></p> <p></blockquote></p> <p>Ehh... I'd be hoping nobody asks me for receipts</p> <p><blockquote></p> <p><strong>‪Chas Booth (he/him)</strong>‬ | ‪@chasbooth.bsky.social‬ | 6h</p> <p>Eh? I support the scheme Stephen. I just want to see the concerns addressed. In what respect is that weird?</blockquote></p> <p>It's not, but...</p> <p><blockquote><br /> <strong>Cllr Stephen Jenkinson</strong> | @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social‬</p> <p>I’m not convinced you do support the trial Chas, never have been.<br /> </blockquote></p> <p>...</p> <p><blockquote><br /> (Quote-posting original message from SJ):</p> <p><strong>‪Chas Booth (he/him)‬</strong> ‪| @chasbooth.bsky.social‬ | <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/chasbooth.bsky.social/post/3mdfgnr4l4k2j">4h</a><br /> The motion aims for a constructive dialogue with key stakeholders in order to address concerns about the scheme in order to strengthen it, for the benefit of the city.</p> <p>The fact that Stephen thinks this is weird tells you more about Stephen than about me, or the motion, TBH.</blockquote></p> <p>There is a displeasure at the existence of this motion that I have found surprising to encounter, given that it essentially chips away at the Voi black box stakeholder groups have been experiencing in favour of accountability and transparency. The concern appears to be at groups being able to interfere with or even halt the trial, which doesn't seem well-founded and is at odds with the wording of the motion (<a href="https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/documents/s93362/Motion%20by%20Cllr%20Booth%20-%20Voi%20Cycle%20Hire%20Scheme.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/documents/s93362/Motion%20by%20Cllr%20Booth%20-%20Voi%20Cycle%20Hire%20Scheme.pdf</a>) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-382942 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:15:30 +0000 acsimpson 382942@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Why does the Norwegian navy have barcodes on their ships?...</p> <p>You'll need a Scandinavian sundial if you want to use it at 12am. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-382941 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:12:40 +0000 acsimpson 382941@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Why does the Norwegian navy have barcodes on their ships?...</p> <p>You'll need a Scandinavian sundial if you want to use it at 12am. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-382927 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:43:39 +0000 neddie 382927@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>oh don't worry, 12-midnight still exists in the time dimension, as does:</p> <p>12mn == 12-media-nocte == 12-midnight</p> <p>it's just ma ZX81 cannie handle it, Jim and the 12-hour watch does-nie need nae am or pm designation - it's a circle, and ye derive the noon / midnight bit by looking up...</p> <p>I'll get me sundial now </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-382926 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:31:19 +0000 acsimpson 382926@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I agree with bakky. Time is a dimension and midnight being a point on the line cannot be occupied by anything with measurable time. A watch measures time and so can only ever be present in the am or pm. The fact it cannot display small enough units of measure to please Neddie is not it's fault.</p> <p>I assume the 12am meeting will be somewhere a line can be draw ln in the sand. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-382915 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 02:06:31 +0000 CycleAlex 382915@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Rather weirdly, the <a href="https://www.voi.com/city/glasgow">Glasgow </a>scheme appears to have significantly more minute bundles compared to <a href="https://www.voi.com/city/edinburgh">Edinburgh </a>- even though you can use the minutes UK wide?</p> <p>45/60/120 vs 30/60/120/200/300/500/1400</p> <p>According to this <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1qg7rlt/voi_bikes_pricing/">Reddit post</a>, the Glasgow 1400 minute bundle is just £17.99 as well! £29.99 for 300 here... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-382914 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 23:17:35 +0000 neddie 382914@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Let me check my diary on my ZX81 </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-382913 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 22:44:13 +0000 bakky 382913@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Let’s meet and discuss in person. Does 12am work for you ;) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-382911 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:06:50 +0000 neddie 382911@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>12m is 12-meridiem (noon). There’s nothing there for midnight </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-382906 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:47:23 +0000 chdot 382906@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I blame the Millennium Bug </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=68#post-382905 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:34:33 +0000 bakky 382905@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>00:00:00 is post meridiem and 00:00:01 is ante meridiem, in your thinking here?</p> <p>00:00:00 has to be ante meridiem, otherwise midday itself - 12:00:00 - becomes 'before midday' by the rule of not being allowed two 12pm-ses.</p> <p>As such, 00:00 is 12am. I won't die on this hill, but I will try and push you back down it ;) </p>