Voi to Launch 1,000 E-Bikes in Glasgow

Bilbao Launches All-Electric Bikeshare, Capital Bikeshare Hits Record Ridership, Bolt Expands to Kazakhstan with E-Scooters and more...

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🚨Early Bird Tickets on Sale - Micromobility America 2026🚨

January 14 - 15, 2026 | Palace of Fine Arts | San Francisco

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What You Need to Know Today

Fleet Tech 2.0: The Tools Powering the Next Generation of Operators

How can AI, software, and connectivity transform micromobility fleet operations? In this Micromobility Europe 2025 panel, moderator Sela Musa (Senior Reporter, Zag Daily) speaks with:

• Kristian Brink, CEO, Urban Sharing

• Arturs Burnin, CEO, Atom Mobility

• Itamar Kunik, CEO & Co-Founder, Monogoto

Vapaus Group and Azfalte Join Forces

Vapaus Group, a Nordic bike-leasing platform, has merged with French corporate cycling company Azfalte to create Europe's leading provider of corporate cycling solutions. The integration aims to serve over one million employees across the continent by leveraging France’s high growth potential, where 60% of urban car trips are under 5 km. Azfalte will retain its brand and operational expertise while benefiting from Vapaus’ automated platform for financing, logistics, and insurance. The merger, is backed by impact fund Shift4Good, aligns with both companies’ mission to promote sustainable mobility and reduce carbon emissions through employer-sponsored cycling programs.

Belgium Sees 62% Surge in E-Scooter Accidents

Belgium reported a 62% increase in e-scooter accidents in the first three months of 2025, with 470 incidents compared to 291 in the same period last year. The rise is attributed to inadequate infrastructure, lack of rider awareness about regulations, and low helmet usage. Accidents involving e-bikes have also tripled since 2020.

Regional data shows Wallonia experienced a 95% increase, Flanders 62%, and Brussels 44%. Safety institute Vias recommends stricter measures, including speed limits, mandatory helmets, and improved technical standards, to address the growing safety crisis linked to rising micromobility use.

Glasgow's New E-Bike Hire Scheme by Voi

Glasgow has selected Voi Technology as the new operator for its cycle hire scheme, introducing a fully electric fleet for the first time. The dockless system will feature at least 1k e-bikes available at over 150 locations, offering flexible parking in marked zones. The transition from the current operator, nextbike by TIER, will take place over a four-month mobilization period. The new system aims to improve accessibility, including through a physical storefront, and builds on the scheme's existing popularity of over 2.5m hires. The contract lasts three years, with options to extend.

Bilbao Launches All-Electric Bikeshare

Bilbao has introduced a fully electric public bikeshare system, replacing its earlier network with 790 e-bikes and 48 smart charging stations. Operated by Serveo and sponsored by Iberdrola, the system uses technology from Lyft Urban Solutions and is designed to improve accessibility in the hilly city. The scheme will expand to 1,250 bikes and 68 stations by 2026, supporting Bilbao's broader goals of reducing car reliance and emissions as part of its sustainable transport policies.

Voi Launches E-Scooter Trial in Essex

Voi has been appointed as the new operator for the e-scooter trial in Essex, UK. The trial relaunched in Chelmsford on August 27, 2025, followed by Colchester and Braintree. Voi will deploy its Volager 5 e-scooter model, which features enhanced safety systems like triple-braking and LED beacons. The service will use a hybrid parking model with designated zones and incentives for proper parking. Riders must be 18+ with a valid driver's license and register via the Voi app. The trial aims to provide a sustainable transport option, building on the previous scheme's success of over three million journeys.

Capital Bikeshare Hits Record Ridership

Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) in Washington, D.C., recorded 705k rides in July 2025, a 19.7% increase from the previous year. YTD ridership has surpassed four million, marking a 27.1% annual increase. E-bikes were used in 62.2% of all trips. The system faces a rebalancing challenge, with neighborhoods like Columbia Heights experiencing a net outflow of bikes, requiring crews to redistribute an average of 136 bikes daily to meet demand.

Pickering Launches Shared E-Scooter Pilot

The City of Pickering, Ontario, has launched a shared e-scooter pilot program in partnership with Bird. The e-scooters are available from now until October 2025, operating daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The program will then resume in April 2026. Safety measures include a minimum rider age of 16, helmet requirements for youth, and mandatory equipment. The pilot aims to provide a sustainable transportation option and will be evaluated based on rider feedback and data.

Cork’s Bike Scheme Will End in 2025

In Cork, the bike share scheme will be shut down by the end of 2025. Despite low-cost memberships and early success around 2016, usage steadily declined after 2019, with operator disputes, station closures, and competition from improved bus services contributing to its downfall. The TfI Regional Bike Share Scheme will end in Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Waterford.

Bolt Expands to Kazakhstan with E-Scooters

Bolt has launched its e-scooter service in Almaty, Kazakhstan, marking its first entry into Central Asia. The initial deployment includes over 1k "Bolt 2" scooters, featuring enhanced safety and handling. Riders must be 18+ and register via the Bolt app. Safety measures include geofenced speed limits (e.g., 6 km/h in pedestrian zones) and cognitive reaction tests to prevent impaired riding. Bolt sees significant potential in Almaty, with its long scooter season and high car usage, to support a shift toward greener transport. Further expansion in Kazakhstan will depend on the results of this pilot.

Next-Gen Bike Sharing for Istanbul

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) is replacing its outdated İSBIKE system with a next-gen, station-free bike-share model. The upgrade includes e-bikes, app-based use, geofenced secure parking, and theft protection. The service will be cost-free for the city, with operators covering operational expenses. Meanwhile, IMM will generate revenue from licenses.

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