Safer Streets, Cleaner Miles: Making Edinburgh’s E-Bikes Work

POSTED ON October 24, 2025 BY James Garry

Shared roads, shared responsibility: e-bikes for a greener Edinburgh

Over recent years, more than 600 people have been injured on Edinburgh’s roads annually, according to the latest data compiled by the House of Commons Library and Transport Scotland. The five-year average sits at around 611 casualties, encompassing slight, serious and fatal injuries. At the same time, new figures reveal that Edinburgh has recorded nine of Scotland’s 34 e-bike accidents since 2020, more than any other local authority area. (Deadline News, Oct 2025). The picture is mixedbut,  the direction of travel can still be positive.

E-bikes are now at the heart of Edinburgh’s shift towards cleaner, low-carbon transport. For a hilly city with a growing population and bold climate ambitions, they offer a practical, inclusive route to healthier, more sustainable mobility. They support older riders, extend commuting range and help reduce car dependency, all key to the Council’s broader drive to cut carbon emissions and build a safer, more liveable city.

That ambition took a tangible step forward this autumn with the launch of Edinburgh’s new dockless e-bike hire scheme, operated by Voi Technology in partnership with the Council. The rollout began in September with around 50 bikes and is already expanding across the city, with more than 5,000 users covering tens of thousands of kilometres in its first month. Affordable, electric and visible, the scheme encourages people from all walks of life to leave the car at home and embrace active travel as part of daily life.

Of course, progress rarely comes without challenges. The Deadline News analysis also highlighted rising concern over the illegal modification and misuse of e-bikes and off-road machines, particularly in parts of southwest Edinburgh such as Broomhouse, Sighthill and The Calders. Most cyclists ride responsibly, but a small number of reckless users risk undermining public trust. Tackling this through clear guidance, fair enforcement and collaboration with retailers protects those who cycle legally and respectfully.

Battery and charging safety is another priority. Fires linked to faulty chargers remain rare but can be serious, particularly in tenement buildings. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s “Buy Safe, Charge Safe” campaign offers straightforward advice: buy only from reputable suppliers, avoid overnight charging and never block escape routes. Better storage and charging provision in flats would also help, ensuring e-bikes remain both accessible and safe.

Training and design play their part too. Many new riders are rediscovering cycling after years away from the saddle, and electric-assist bikes handle differently from both traditional bicycles and motor vehicles. Short, practical courses, such as those run by Cycling Scotland, build confidence and courtesy, encouraging responsible riding. Continued investment in protected routes, safe junctions and effective speed management is equally vital. And as adaptive e-bikes open cycling to more disabled and older riders, inclusive parking and street design will ensure everyone can share the benefits of active travel.

Public engagement is crucial. A community meeting on the dangerous use of e-bikes and off-road bikes will be held on Wednesday 13 November at 7 pm at The Space @ Broomhouse Hub, convened by Dr Scott Arthur MP and Catriona Munro. Residents, cyclists and local groups are invited to share ideas on improving safety and mutual respect on the city’s streets. (Read more at Deadline News)

Each of these initiatives builds on existing progress rather than reinventing the wheel. Edinburgh’s City Mobility Plan and Road Safety Action Plan set clear pathways toward a lower-carbon, people-centred transport network. The task now is to maintain alignment: combining infrastructure, education and fair enforcement so that sustainable transport becomes safer by design, not by exception. The goal isn’t to regulate enthusiasm out of cycling, but to ensure that e-bikes, legal, well-maintained and confidently used, become a trusted part of everyday city life.

As we reflect on these developments, this week also marks the 246th birthday of Lord Henry Cockburn (born 26 October 1779), the reformer and civic visionary whose ideals continue to guide our work. Cockburn argued that progress and preservation were not enemies but partners in shaping a humane city. Were he here today, what might he make of electric bicycles gliding up the Mound or along George Street—symbols of both technological change and the enduring human desire for freedom of movement within a beautiful, liveable city?

For a fuller exploration of how these values continue to shape Edinburgh’s evolution, see our recent publication Campaigning for Edinburgh—a celebration of 150 years of civic stewardship and a reminder that thoughtful progress is always possible when communities act together.

 

Further Reading

Image: Pixabay

 

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