E-bike hire in Oxford

Information about the e-bike hire options and how issues can be reported

Dockless e-bikes are available for short-term hire in Oxford. 

Bike-sharing schemes are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and they bring many benefits, including making cycling more accessible for residents and visitors, boosting physical and mental health, and providing options that connect to public transport. 

Two providers, Voi and Lime, operate dockless e-bike hire schemes in Oxford, independently of the council. E-bikes are available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis, with daily and monthly subscriptions also available. 

Both operators also offer a range of discounts that are available for students, NHS staff, Blue Light Card holders, disabled people and older people. More details of each operator’s discounts can be found on their websites:

The operators’ e-bikes are easily distinguishable from one another. Voi's e-bikes have a coral-coloured body with black wheels, a black front basket and Voi branding on the frame. Lime’s e-bikes have a white body, with green handlebars and a green front basket and Lime branding on the frame. 

Both operators have agreed to operate by our Code of Conduct for Dockless Bike Sharing in Oxford (pdf format, 167 KB). They commit to running well-managed schemes and requiring their users to park within the marked bays provided. 

Dockless bike sharing schemes support the aims of our Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP) to replace or remove one out of every four current car trips in Oxfordshire and increase the number of cycle trips in Oxfordshire from 600,000 to 1 million cycle trips per week by 2030. 

Bike sharing also aligns with Policy 37 of the LTCP and Action 12 of the Central Oxfordshire Travel Plan, which aims to provide a public hire cycle scheme that includes e-bikes. 

Using an e-bike 

E-bikes must work for everyone and not cause danger or obstruction to other road users.

The e-bikes available in Oxford can be used on the road, cycle lanes, and shared cycle/footpaths, but they should not be ridden on pavements. When using a cycle path, you should moderate your speed and take care when passing pedestrians.

E-bikes should only be parked in mandatory parking bays, which are clearly identified in the app. Both operator websites provide advice on how to park properly. Ensure you park where it’s accessible for other users. It should never block pathways, accessibility ramps, driveways, crosswalks, or cars. Please consider pedestrians, especially visually impaired people and people with wheelchairs or buggies, when parking.

It is recommended that all users of the e-bike hire schemes wear a correctly fitted helmet when riding. 

The Highway Code applies to cyclists, and all riders should be familiar with it and obey any traffic signs and lights on their journey. 

Tips for safe cycling and cycle training.

Reporting problems 

If you encounter any issues with the e-bikes available for public hire, such as inappropriately parked e-bikes or inappropriate riding behaviour. In that case, you should report these to the relevant operator. 

Include as much detail as possible when reporting any issues to ensure they can be dealt with as effectively as possible. 

E-bikes are unregulated at the national level and whilst we have limited powers to address complaints about dockless e-bikes, we have developed a code of conduct and are exploring ways to improve e-bike operations including parking. If you wish to provide any feedback to us or report issues with any parking bays, please email place.planning.central@oxfordshire.gov.uk.