Europe’s largest micromobility platform Bolt wins deal to operate scooters and e-bikes for hire in Liverpool… and will use AI tech to deter people using them while drunk. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool City Council has awarded a new contract to operate scooters and e-bikes for hire in the city to Bolt with AI tech being used to deter drunk users.
Starting in early 2026 Bolt, Europe’s largest micromobility platform, will take over from Voi, which has been in Liverpool since August 2022. This new deal will see 2,000 scooters and 100 e-bikes deployed across Liverpool.
Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will cover the entire city, with areas such as Speke and Garston set to have scooters for the first time. This agreement marks Bolt’s first UK scooter launch.
Expanding the city’s scooter and e-bike offering is part of the council’s aim to provide active travel options. It claims 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.
Following the introduction of its e-bikes in London in August 2025, Bolt’s expansion to Liverpool represents a major milestone in its UK growth. Almost half of Bolt’s e-bike and scooter trips around the world are to and from bus and train stations.
John Buckley, Bolt’s head of micromobility for the UK, said: “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.
“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.”
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The scooters and e-bikes come equipped with features, including a maximum speed limit of 15.5 mph for both scooters and e-bikes, in-app cognitive reaction test to prevent drunk riding and an 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.
All vehicles will be maintained by local Bolt teams and monitored via GPS to ensure safety, availability, and reliability. Private scooters remain illegal on public roads, while using the vehicles on pavements or with two riders are also against the law.
Cllr Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity said: “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.”