Colchester City Council has announced a significant expansion of its e-bike rental service, including the introduction of a mandatory parking system and new ways for residents to save money. The changes to the scheme, operated in partnership with Dott, were confirmed on 26 March 2026 and aim to improve accessibility and travel options across the city.
From April 2026, users will be required to park their e-bikes in designated locations only. This move follows community feedback regarding bikes left on pavements, which had created accessibility issues for pedestrians, including elderly and disabled residents. To support this change, more than 500 new parking locations will be installed throughout Colchester, featuring improved infrastructure such as designated bays, on-street markings, and bike corrals.
The city’s updated contract allows the fleet to grow to as many as 1,000 e-bikes if demand continues to rise. There are currently more than 800 bikes available, with approximately 1,900 people using the service each week and more than 1,000 daily journeys recorded. The service is also set to expand into additional wards and will include a seasonal option for Mersea Island.
For regular riders, a new Cycle Saver discount option is being introduced to help reduce travel costs. The council has also confirmed it will not continue with the national e-scooter trial, which had been in place since February 2021. Cllr Andrea Luxford Vaughan, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Sustainable Development at Colchester City Council, noted that the transition from e-scooters to the current e-bike model has been smooth for the majority of users.
The local Dott operations team, which has managed the scheme in Colchester since 2021, will continue to lead the maintenance and community efforts for the expanded network.
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