Aberdeen is set to reintroduce a pay-as-you-go e-bike hire scheme this month, marking the city’s second endeavour into shared electric cycling infrastructure in over two years. The initiative, led by micromobility operator Voi, will deploy 350 coral-coloured electric bikes across the city, with their arrival anticipated this week and a full launch planned for the coming weeks.
Designated parking bays are now appearing throughout Aberdeen to facilitate safe parking for users. The fleet will comprise two distinct models: the Explorer 4, which features a larger metal basket with a 10kg capacity and an enhanced saddle for comfort and adjustability, and the Explorer Light 1, a more accessible and agile model that is 25% lighter than typical shared e-bikes, weighing under 32kg.
Aberdeen City Council hopes that the new scheme will encourage residents to opt for e-bikes over private cars for city centre travel. This move aligns with the council’s broader objectives to reduce the city’s carbon footprint, promote greener urban transport solutions, and contribute to its net-zero 2045 sustainability targets.
The council is providing £200,000 in funding, drawn from the Low Emission Zone surplus, to support the scheme’s operational costs over an initial three-year period, with expectations for it to become financially self-sustaining thereafter.
This reintroduction follows the cessation of the previous “Big Issue Sharebike” scheme in March 2024. That venture, which initially launched in November 2022 with 360 e-bikes and 66 GPS-enabled parking spots, concluded due to a “lack of ongoing funding” and viability issues for its Norwegian operator, Sharebike, which subsequently withdrew from the UK market. While vandalism was a contributing factor, financial challenges were cited as the primary reason for its termination.
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Voi, a Swedish-based operator, already manages successful e-bike schemes in other Scottish cities, including Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Glasgow scheme, which commenced in November 2025, recorded over 170,000 rides by March 2026, demonstrating a 114% increase in usage compared to the previous year. In Edinburgh, Voi launched with 50 bikes in September 2025, expanding to 600, following the 2021 closure of the city’s previous scheme due to theft, vandalism, and high costs. Voi’s bikes are highlighted for their enhanced durability and reduced susceptibility to vandalism.
Harry Foskin, Senior Public Policy Manager at Voi, expressed enthusiasm for the launch: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be bringing Voi e-bikes to Aberdeen, starting this month. This is about giving people a more sustainable, flexible and affordable way to move – whether it’s your daily commute, a trip to the shops or a leisurely trip around town. We’ve seen how quickly people fall in love with our e-bikes in Edinburgh and Glasgow. And we can’t wait to see Aberdonians hopping on the saddle and making the most of their city on two wheels. We look forward to working closely with Aberdeen City Council to deliver an e-bike scheme that works for the whole of the community.”
