Edinburgh yet to name operator for new cycle hire scheme

Two companies are in the running to operate the new cycle hire scheme in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is to trial a new cycle hire scheme in August but an operator has yet to be put in place.

A small number of dockless electric bikes are scheduled to be rolled out on the city's streets from the week of 18 August, the City of Edinburgh Council said.

Dott and Lime, two established firms, are among the firms under consideration to run the scheme along, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, but a final decision has yet to be made - with the tender open until 1 August.

However, the local authority's transport convener, Stephen Jenkinson, said he was "confident" the pilot would run to schedule during the festival season.

It will mark the first time in four years that Edinburgh will have a public bike hire service.

Both Dott and Lime run similar cycle hire programmes in cities across the UK and Europe.

Jenkinson said he expected the operator to be chosen next week.

He said every effort would be made to "minimise disruption" when the trial begins during the city's annual festivals.

Jenkinson added: "Our initial target was to launch the trial cycle hire scheme during the month of August, and I remain confident that we'll deliver this.

"The tender process is still under way, and a contract has not yet been awarded.

"We're actively working to finalise arrangements and remain committed to making the scheme operational as soon as possible."

He said the council was determined that any cycle hire scheme would be "implemented diligently".

'Vandalism and theft'

A previous scheme, operated by Serco and sponsored by food delivery service Just Eat, ran for three years between 2018 and 2021 before being ended when the contractor pulled out.

The bikes, which had to be unlocked from specialised docking stations placed at points around the city, were beset by issues with vandalism and often had to be retrieved from bodies of water, including the Water of Leith.

However, the new scheme will operate the "dockless" model, with the council collecting inappropriately parked bikes and charging the future operator a fee for their return.

It mirrors the model used in the City of London, where Lime already has a presence, and the operator is charged a fee of £235 - although not such fee has yet been proposed for Edinburgh.

Scottish Greens councillor Chas Booth said: "While it's very welcome news that a new cycle hire scheme has taken a step closer, it's essential that any scheme meets the needs of all the city, including those on low incomes and living outside the city centre.

"It's also essential the operator addresses the shortcomings of the previous scheme, particularly around vandalism and theft, if it's to become a permanent part of the city's sustainable transport offering."

Reporting by local democracy journalist Joe Sullivan.