Bolt to launch e-bikes in London this summer

Bolt has announced it intends to bring its shared mobility scheme to the UK this summer, with e-bikes set to be launched in London in August.

Bolt says this marks its entry into one of the world’s fastest-growing e-bike rental markets in the world, with 50,000 e-bikes already available to rent in the capital. The move marks a first for the UK, as Bolt will become the only platform in the country to offer a fully owned multi-modal transport service, with both ride-hailing and e-bikes operated by a single company and available within the same app.

Here are more details from the release:

Bolt is working closely with local authorities and Transport for London (TfL) to ensure safe, well-integrated, and sustainable operations.

Launching our first micromobility service in the UK is a major step in creating cities for people, not cars. London is one of the largest e-bike rental markets in the world, and Bolt is already the largest scooter and e-bike provider in Europe with over 230,000 vehicles in more than 270 cities. We’ve seen in other countries that giving people multiple transport options in one app helps reduce private car use and makes cities more liveable, reducing congestion and lowering emissions. This is just the start of our micromobility journey in the UK, and we look forward to expanding in the months ahead – Kimberly Hurd, Senior General Manager at Bolt UK&I

Having first launched ride-hailing in the capital in June 2019, Bolt has become an increasingly popular platform, with more than half of Londoners using the platform last year. More than 70 per cent of Bolt customers in the UK do not own a car, demonstrating that shared mobility services like ride-hailing are serving a new demographic of customers who are moving away from private car ownership.

Additionally, 1 in 5 Bolt rides in London cover distances under 3km, representing demand for shorter-distance transport options, while 47% of Bolt’s global micromobility journeys connect with and complement public transport journeys, highlighting the need for seamless multimodal transport.

Bolt will tackle London’s parking and safety challenges from day one.

Bolt will allow users to opt for a unique distance-based pricing model, where they are charged by distance, rather than time. This approach, a first for London, eliminates the risks of per-minute pricing where users may try to rush through their journey, take risks at busy junctions or park improperly to minimise their costs.

Based on ongoing testing, Bolt has seen that users charged based on distance ride 9% slower than those charged based on time, reducing the risk of falls and collisions. Bolt estimates that this pricing model will reduce collisions by 90%.

Bolt’s approach to parking and safety has reduced improper parking in Stockholm by 69%, and in September 2023, Bureau Veritas auditors found that Bolt users in Brussels parked vehicles correctly almost 100% of the time.

I’m pleased Bolt will be launching e-bikes in our city this summer, providing Londoners with even more sustainable and convenient ways to get around. Integrating e-bikes with ride hailing in a single app will give people more choice and flexibility when choosing how to get around, strengthening our network and helping to reduce congestion.

I’m also pleased to see that Bolt will be prioritising responsible parking and safety, to ensure the scheme works for everyone. The Mayor and I welcome Government plans to give cities powers to better manage dockless e-bike schemes. It is vital improved safety sits at the heart of any future regulation so these schemes work well for everyone and the industry thrives – Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner

In London, Bolt will ensure responsible parking through a mix of user education, best-in-class AI technology, and appropriate enforcement.

Users will be educated through an onboarding process to teach best practice, alongside ‘Bolt Academy’, an educational programme to teach safe and compliant e-bike usage. This will be paired with an ongoing education and awareness campaign for users, ensuring that they are aware of how to park correctly. If users do not park in the correct way, they will be fined. Users will also have a score that will go up or down depending on how well they park.

Bolt’s AI-powered parking system and geofencing will ensure users cannot park outside mandatory parking zones. The Bolt app will also direct users to the nearest available parking spot, and if they have not parked appropriately, they will be provided with relevant instructions.

These measures aim to keep pavements clear and ensure Bolt contributes positively to the urban landscape, and doesn’t add to the problem.