Voi

I hadn’t ridden an e-bike until today, but I have to say I’m impressed.

I got to Southampton Central Station at 0945, and I was due somewhere two miles away at 1030. In between, I needed to drop a cheque (don’t ask) off at Barclay’s and source a bacon roll.

Given the Saturday traffic, trying to do this in a taxi would have been painfully expensive, and given the one way system and pedestrian areas, probably not possible in the time available.

But wait, what’s this? Voi have a rack of e-bikes (and e-scooters) outside the station, that you can rent using their app.

A quick transaction later, I’m on an e-bike making light work of the hill into town. Park it and lock it with the app outside Barclay’s, pay in cheque, back on the bike.

Down the street to Greggs, breakfast, then on to my destination. By happy coincidence, there’s another Voi rack directly outside, although I understand you can park anywhere in the zone within reason if you want to.

Walk in at 1015, didn’t even break a sweat (though I would have felt happier if I’d thought to take my helmet with me!).

Evan Edinger described an e-bike as like having bionic legs - you still do some work, but it multiplies what you are doing.

Very useful, even if £6 for a half hour mission felt a bit steep. A lot cheaper and much quicker than a taxi though.