Estonian micromobility operator Bolt is bringing 2000 e-scooters and 100 e-bikes to Liverpool.

Liverpool City Council has awarded Bolt a contract to operate shared e-scooters and e-bikes from early next year.

The service, which replaces existing provider Voi, will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will cover the entire city, with areas such as Speke and Garston set to have scooters for the first time.

Bolt is working closely with the council to ensure the service is safe and well-integrated, and supports the city’s transport and sustainability goals. Expanding the city’s e-scooter and e-bike offering is part of the council’s aim to provide active travel options, which are beneficial for both health and the environment.

Research has found that almost two-thirds of all journeys in the city are made by car, which generates almost half a million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. Scooters provide a sustainable alternative and can be easily accessed through the Bolt app.

Following the introduction of its e-bikes in London in August this year, Bolt’s expansion to Liverpool represents a major milestone in its UK growth and commitment to providing more sustainable urban transport options.

Almost half of Bolt’s bike and scooter trips around the world are to and from bus and train stations, showing how Liverpool’s service can reduce reliance on private cars.

“With over 230,000 scooters and e-bikes operating in more than 270 cities across Europe, we’ve seen how micromobility can encourage environmentally friendlier travel, reduce car traffic and connect people to public transport,” said John Buckley, Bolt’s head of micromobility for the UK. “Launching micromobility in Liverpool, and our first-ever scooter service in the UK, is a key step in Bolt’s commitment to building better urban transport.”

Councillor Dan Barrington, cabinet member for transport and connectivity, added: “Scooters and e-bikes are a fantastic way to travel around the city. They’re safe, they encourage active travel and they offer a sustainable option that could reduce the amount of traffic on our streets. We’re looking forward to working closely with Bolt, and we’re very pleased that more people in Liverpool than ever before will have easy access to this option. It’s really encouraging that our work with Bolt puts measures in place that encourage responsible use and discourage incorrect parking. The service will also operate 24/7, which will assist shift workers and those in the night-time economy who need to travel when there is no public transport.”

Bolt scooters and e-bikes come equipped with safety and parking features, including a maximum speed limit of 25kmph, an in-app cognitive reaction test to prevent drunk riding, and AI-based photo validation and geofencing to ensure proper parking.

Users must be 18 or over, and those wanting to ride scooters must hold a valid driving licence.

Bolt’s AI-powered parking system analyses user-submitted photos at the end of each trip, providing real-time feedback and issuing fines for incorrect parking. Each user will also have a rider score to encourage responsible vehicle riding and parking.

This technology-led approach has proven effective elsewhere. In Stockholm, improper parking dropped by 69%, and Bureau Veritas audits in Brussels found that Bolt users parked correctly almost 100% of the time.

Vehicles will be maintained by local Bolt (bolt.eu) teams and monitored via GPS to ensure safety, availability and reliability. These measures are designed to keep pavements clear and ensure Bolt contributes positively to Liverpool’s streets.