Nextbike to disappear from Glasgow streets as Swedish firm Voi to roll out e-bikes

Nextbikes will be disappearing from Glasgow streets as the city gears up for a new fleet of e-bikes for hire from November.

Nextbike will be replaced by Swedish firm Voi, with over 1,000 bikes set to be brought in.

The current system will remain active until October 31, with bikes available for hire as normal, but nextbike stations will begin transitioning to support Voi’s new e-bike offering.

The first of the new Voi bikes, which also operate in cities such as Barcelona and Berlin, will hit the streets on November 10.

While there may be a “brief period of reduced availability” during the initial rollout, the transition is expected to be swift, and a full service is to be in place across Glasgow by mid-November.

Voi says its new service promises a more “flexible and user-friendly experience” with electric bikes designed for both short and longer trips and flexible pricing options, including pay-as-you-go, daily passes, and monthly subscriptions.

The new setup will also introduce a hybrid docking model, allowing bikes to be parked in designated on-street zones rather than fixed docking stations

To access the new scheme, users will need to register via the Voi app once the system goes live.

Currently, Glasgow has 1,030 bikes and 209 e-bikes available at 113 stations. Non-electric bikes will no longer be provided.

Since its launch in 2014, Glasgow’s cycle hire programme has recorded nearly three million hires and welcomed over 280,000 registered users.

Following a competitive tender process, Voi was awarded the contract earlier this year to operate the scheme for up to five years.

Its contract in Glasgow will include a four-month mobilisation period to allow time for bikes to be purchased and customer data to be transferred.

Initially, the deal will run for three years, but there is an option to extend it for a further two 12-month periods. The anticipated spend over the full five years is £1m.

Current provider TIER did bid for the contract, alongside two other companies, but was not recommended by officials.

A council report stated: “As the largest city in Scotland, with a population in the region of 635,130, the council considers that there remains scope for the provision and development of the current MACH [mass automated cycle hire] scheme within Glasgow’s environs.

“The council recognises the significant role cycling plays in reducing emissions and congestion by offering a healthy and efficient alternative for short journeys.

“By promoting bike usage, the scheme not only supports environmental goals but also encourages a healthier lifestyle. Therefore, the council is eager to expand the current scheme and encourage further growth.”