Aberdeen launches new electric bike scheme with free rides for residents
Aberdeen residents have been encouraged to swap cars and buses for electric bikes after a new fleet of Voi ebikes officially launched in the city.
Aberdeen City Council unveiled the new electric bike scheme at Duthie Park, with members of the public given the chance to try them out for the first time.
The council hoped the move could help cut congestion and give people a cheaper and greener way to travel around Aberdeen, particularly during the busy summer months.
The electric bikes have been designed to make cycling easier, especially in areas with steep hills, by giving riders motor-assisted power while pedalling.
The council said the scheme forms part of wider efforts to improve transport links and encourage more environmentally friendly journeys across the Granite City.
David Dunne, Chief Officer of Strategic Place Planning at Aberdeen City Council, welcomed the launch and said officials were excited to see residents using the bikes.
He said: "It's fantastic to see the new Voi e-bikes launched in Aberdeen. It is good to give people another option for getting about the city and the electric-assisted Voi bikes will make it easier to cycle about, especially up hills.
"We look forward to seeing people enjoy using them particularly during the summer months."
Residents and visitors can hire the bikes through the free Voi mobile app, which allows users to unlock and pay for journeys directly from their phones.
To encourage people to give the bikes a try, Voi is offering first-time riders a free 15-minute journey through the app by entering the code "SCOTLAND".
The company has also announced that there will be no unlocking charge for the first three months of operation in Aberdeen.
After that period, riders using the pay-as-you-go service will pay 18p per minute. Residents are also being offered a discounted deal, allowing them to use a bike for 20 minutes for £1.75.
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The scheme is open to anyone aged 16 and over. Voi explained the bikes are intended to provide a safe, affordable and sustainable form of transport for everyday journeys, from commuting to shopping trips and leisure rides.
Harry Foskin, Senior Public Policy Manager at Voi, said the company was pleased to expand further across Scotland.
He shared: "We are delighted to have launched Voi ebikes in Aberdeen, our third launch in Scotland in the past year. We look forward to seeing residents and visitors alike making Voi's safe, sustainable and affordable ebikes part of their everyday journeys in the Granite City."
The Aberdeen fleet includes two different models of electric bikes aimed at different kinds of riders. The Explorer 4 is a larger, full-sized ebike built mainly for commuters. It has a heavier frame and larger wheels designed to provide extra balance and stability for longer journeys.
The second model, called the Explorer Light 1, is around a quarter lighter and has a lower step-through frame, making it easier to use for smaller or less confident riders.
As the bikes begin appearing across Aberdeen, council officials and Voi are also urging riders to stay safe on the roads.
Users have been reminded to wear helmets, follow the Highway Code rules and avoid using mobile phones while cycling.
Voi already operates similar ebike hire schemes in Edinburgh and Glasgow and now runs services in more than 100 cities across Europe, including London, Paris and Stockholm.
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