Our team were all excited when we heard that the City of Edinburgh Council were launching a new e-bike hire scheme in the city centre. Given our People and Place work is all about encouraging people to use active and sustainable travel methods, and two of the four objectives of our Regional Transport Strategy are about sustainable and healthier travel options, we were keen to try it out.
Our Comms and Marketing Officer, Sarah Junik, wrote about her experience.
Anyone who knows me will know that I love to walk. I am obsessed with getting 10,000 steps in a day and will walk everywhere I can. Cycling, however is a different story and as much as I enjoy cycling, it’s not something I do often.
When the City of Edinburgh Council launched its new electric bike hire scheme earlier this month, I didn’t pay much attention. But working for an organisation that promotes active and sustainable travel, it’s no surprise that several colleagues were keen to give the bikes a go.
So, on a recent bright, but surprisingly chilly, Tuesday morning, I met Alisdair Brown before work, to give the Edinburgh e-bikes a test run and get some social media content.
The bike hire scheme is operated by Voi Technology and currently offers around 30 dockless electric bikes across Edinburgh. You can pick up and drop off bikes at designated locations, which is convenient, but it did present our first challenge: finding two bikes close together. We were arriving on different trains and had planned to meet at Waverley, but the app showed there was only one bike nearby. However, there were two available at Haymarket, so we changed plans and met there.
Undocking was simple, we just scanned the QR code on the bike frame and we were off. The ride itself was smooth and surprisingly fun. The electric assist made hills effortless, and I was quickly reminded of how freeing cycling can be. But it also highlighted some of the challenges of cycling in a busy city.
Cycle lanes are essential, especially in the city centre. We had to navigate several busy junctions that didn’t have segregated cycle lanes and I felt quite vulnerable. One moment that stood out was waiting at a red light to turn right, with cars lined up behind us. The e-bike helped us move quickly when the light changed, but I was very aware of how exposed I was in and amongst the cars and buses.
Edinburgh has a decent cycle network, but it’s not always intuitive. Cycle lanes can end abruptly and signage is minimal. As someone who also drives, I’m used to clear signs telling me what’s ahead and where to go. This kind of guidance is largely missing for cyclists, which can make things confusing, especially at large junctions.
Despite these challenges, the ride was enjoyable. We explored a few hills to test the battery support and were pleasantly surprised by how well the bikes handled them. Parking at the end was just as easy as starting. We’d chosen a designated spot outside the Omni Centre, and once we arrived, the app prompted us to take a photo of the parked bikes to confirm the end of the ride.
The cost was £4.29 for 38 minutes, which felt reasonable for a spontaneous test run. Voi offers various passes that make regular use more affordable, but since we weren’t sure how long we’d be cycling, we opted for a pay-as-you-go ride.
Overall, it was a great experience. The bikes were easy to use, fun to ride and surprisingly powerful on hills. I’m now looking forward to the scheme expanding to cover Leith so I can cycle between Waverley and our office.
Initiatives like this play a vital role in encouraging more sustainable travel choices without requiring individuals to invest in their own e-bike or consider how to store one. Through our People and Place programme, we’re working with organisations across the region to deliver a wide range of projects that promote active and environmentally friendly travel. Learn more at: www.sestran.gov.uk/people-and-place
