Quick answer: Cycling in Glasgow is in good shape going into 2026. The old nextbike (OVO Bikes) scheme finished at the end of October 2025 after ten years, and Voi now runs the city’s hire fleet with more than 1,000 all-electric e-bikes spread across 100-plus locations. You pay by the minute through the app. For your own bike there’s a growing network of segregated lanes, traffic-free canal and Clyde towpaths, secure on-street storage from £84 a year, and the Cycle to Work scheme to spread the cost. Bike theft is real here, so lock up properly and register your frame.
Hiring a bike in Glasgow: the Voi scheme
If you used the red nextbike (OVO Bikes) docks, forget them. nextbike pulled out of Glasgow on 31 October 2025 and Swedish operator Voi took over the council’s cycle hire contract from November 2025. The fleet is now fully electric, which is a big change. Every bike is an e-bike, so the hills around the West End and the South Side are a lot less of a slog.
There are over 1,000 Voi e-bikes at more than 100 spots across the city, available 24/7. You download the Voi app, find a bike on the map, scan the QR code and ride. Two models are in use, the Explorer 4 with a metal basket and a comfier saddle, and the lighter Explorer Light.
What it costs
Voi charges by the minute. During the launch period running to the end of January 2026 there was no unlock fee and pay as you go was around 16p a minute, with a free first ride if you used the launch code in the app. From roughly February 2026 an unlock fee of about 99p per ride kicks in on top of the per-minute rate. You can also buy minute bundles or a pass if you ride often, and student deals were being set up at launch.
Prices change, so always check the current tariff in the Voi app before you commit. The council’s own update on the switchover is the best official starting point, see glasgow.gov.uk.
| Item | Detail (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Voi (replaced nextbike/OVO Bikes) | nextbike ended 31 Oct 2025 |
| Fleet | 1,000+ e-bikes, 100+ locations | All electric, available 24/7 |
| Launch price (to end Jan 2026) | Free unlock, approx 16p per minute | Free first ride with launch code |
| After launch period | Approx 99p unlock plus per-minute rate | Bundles and passes available |
| City centre parking | Mandatory bays (shown blue in app) | Free-float outside the centre |
Where to leave a hire bike
Voi runs a mix of free-float and mandatory parking. Out in the areas you can usually leave a bike parked sensibly against a wall or in a rack. In the city centre you have to end the ride in a designated bay, marked blue on the app map, or you can be charged. Check the map before you set off so you know where you’re allowed to drop it.
The best routes for cycling in Glasgow
Glasgow is flatter than its reputation along the river and canal, and it has four National Cycle Network routes running through it. The traffic-free ones are brilliant for families and nervous riders.
The Clyde and the city centre
National Cycle Route 75, the Clyde to Forth, follows the Clyde Walkway through the heart of the city. You can pick it up near the Riverside Museum and ride east past the SEC and the Squinty Bridge, or head west towards Clydebank. It’s mostly flat and a good way to see the river without fighting traffic. Heading into town from here links you up with the rest of the centre, handy if you’re also working out the Subway for longer hops.
The canal towpath
National Cycle Route 754 runs along the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath, fully traffic-free, from Bowling in the west out through the north of the city and on towards Falkirk and the Falkirk Wheel. The Maryhill stretch and the Claypits nature reserve near Port Dundas are a lovely, quiet ride. If you fancy a proper day out you can follow it all the way across to Edinburgh.
West End to Loch Lomond
National Cycle Route 7 links the West End to Balloch and Loch Lomond, much of it off-road, partly along the Kelvin Walkway. It’s one of the best escapes from the city on two wheels. Start near the Botanic Gardens and follow the River Kelvin north.
Segregated lanes in town
The council has been building proper protected lanes. The South City Way is a 3km fully segregated route linking Queen’s Park to Trongate in the centre, roughly a 14-minute ride. Connecting Woodside is adding two-way segregated lanes along St George’s Road to tie the canal, Sauchiehall Street and the centre together. Council figures put the rise in cycle journeys at around 43% year on year as this network grows. You can see route maps on the Glasgow City Council site.
Bike theft and how to lock up
Be honest with yourself here, theft is a problem. Police figures recorded thousands of bikes stolen in Glasgow over recent years, with one count of 4,092 between 2020 and 2023. A cheap cable lock will not save your bike in the city centre.
- Use a solid D-lock, ideally two locks, through the frame and a wheel to a fixed stand.
- Register your frame number free with BikeRegister so police can return it if recovered.
- Photograph your bike and note the serial number kept somewhere safe.
- Lock in busy, overlooked spots, not quiet lanes or stairwells.
Secure parking and storage
Glasgow has decent secure options now. The council’s on-street residential cycle storage, run by Cyclehoop, gives you a locked shelter space for around £84 a year, roughly £7 a month, with over 1,900 spaces across the city. There are also Trips Bikehangars in the city centre, unlocked by app, for short stays when you’re out and about. Details and how to apply are on the council’s cycle parking page. Storage costs can change, so check before you sign up.
Staying safe on the road
Glasgow drivers are mostly fine, but the centre gets busy and the wet setts near Merchant City and the Trongate are slippy. A few things worth knowing:
- Lights are the law after dark. You need a white front and red rear light, plus a red rear reflector, when riding on the road between sunset and sunrise.
- Helmets are not a legal requirement for adults in the UK, but most regular riders here wear one. Your call.
- Take the lane on narrow streets rather than hugging the kerb, it stops close passes.
- Mind the bus lanes, bikes are allowed in most of them and they’re often the safest line through town.
The official lighting rules are explained well by Cycling UK.
Cycle to Work: spreading the cost
If you’re employed and your employer offers it, the Cycle to Work scheme is the cheapest way to buy a decent bike. You pay through salary sacrifice from your gross pay over 12 to 18 months, so you save the tax and National Insurance you’d have paid. A basic rate taxpayer saves around 28% and a higher rate taxpayer around 42%. There’s no statutory upper limit on the bike value, though individual employers set their own cap. At the end you usually keep the bike for a small fee. Combine it with a Voi pass for the days you don’t fancy your own bike and you’ve got most journeys covered.
Cycling versus driving in Glasgow
For short city-centre hops a bike usually beats the car, especially with the Low Emission Zone and the cost of parking. If you do drive too, it’s worth knowing the LEZ rules and where you can still find free parking. For longer or wet days, the Subway and the buses fill the gaps. Many riders here run a mix and pick whatever’s quickest on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Is OVO Bikes still running in Glasgow?
No. The nextbike scheme, branded OVO Bikes, ended on 31 October 2025. Voi now runs the city’s hire fleet with all-electric e-bikes from November 2025.
How much does it cost to hire a Voi e-bike in Glasgow?
You pay by the minute through the app. The launch period to the end of January 2026 had no unlock fee and roughly 16p a minute, with an unlock fee of around 99p added from early 2026. Check the live price in the Voi app, it can change.
Where can I cycle traffic-free in Glasgow?
The Forth and Clyde Canal towpath (NCN 754), the Clyde Walkway (NCN 75) and the Kelvin Walkway towards Loch Lomond (NCN 7) are all mostly off-road and good for all abilities.
Do I legally need a helmet to cycle in Glasgow?
No. There’s no law requiring adults to wear a cycle helmet in the UK. Lights after dark are a legal requirement, a helmet is your choice.
How do I stop my bike being stolen?
Use two good D-locks through the frame and wheel to a fixed stand, lock up in busy spots, and register your frame free with BikeRegister. Secure council storage from around £84 a year is also available.
Can I get a cheaper bike through work?
Yes, if your employer offers Cycle to Work. You save the tax and NI via salary sacrifice, typically around 28% to 42% depending on your tax band.
Last updated June 2026. Prices and scheme details change, so check the official sources linked above before you ride.
