There are many ways to explore Liverpool this summer a clean and green way. As electric or e-scooter specialist Voi continues to grow, and it approaches its second year of operation in the city, you can enjoy Liverpool’s seasonal treats in a safe and sustainable way.
How about heading over to Tate Liverpool for the Radical Landscapes exhibition about the climate emergency which runs for the summer? Or go to Sefton Park’s Palm House for a wide array of summer events, from yoga calm under the palms to orchestras among the orchids.
Liverpool’s Waterfront is buoyant and buzzing as always this summer, but even more so if you go paddleboarding, kayaking or open water swimming, all available through Liverpool Watersports .
And for foodie fun, take an e-scooter to Baltic Market , the best place for summer street food, and then take a slow scoot to the Waterfront with your picnic.
Whether you are choosing an artsy summer or an outdoorsy one, here are a few things you may not know about Voi scooters to help you on your next Voi-age
Voi in the city
The arrival of e-scooters in Liverpool is no surprise. Voi was chosen by the Liverpool City Council to provide an affordable, convenient and greener form of transport for everyone. Since their trial introduction in 2020, the shared scooter scheme is working so well that it has been extended until November 2022, and with around two and a half million rides taken to date, it looks like Voi is here to stay.
If you haven’t ridden a Voi yet, you can learn more about it here , and it’s quick and easy.
Once you’re ready to ride, you can discover more about the Voi Zones - using a technology called geofencing, your e-scooter gently adjusts its speed according to the Zone you’re in.
So, for example, in Liverpool, all around the docks is a Slow Speed Zone because it's not only a place to slow down and take in all the goings-on, but also be aware of the many people who come to enjoy it too, and so your scooter automatically reduces speed.
You can make a difference
Cycling lanes are also e-scooting lanes and, in Liverpool, they are improving all the time. So, if you’re tired of being in traffic but too tired to cycle, or not a fan of bikes, then take that short journey on an e-scooter instead of your car. Swap fuel for fun and help get the city moving and breathing again!
When it comes to safety - Let’s get it right!
Drink riding is a big NO: If you didn’t know, it's illegal to ride under the influence of alcohol. If you have any doubts, take the Voi ‘Reaction Test’ which tests your cognitive abilities. If you fail, walk or get a cab.
Pavement riding is also a big NO: Pavements are for pedestrians. Bikes, e-scooters and any other vehicles should only be used on roads or cycle lanes.
Scooters are not to be shared: Sharing is caring but not when it comes to e-scooters. You can ride with friends and family but only one person should ride a scooter at a time.
Scooters like selfies: You always have to take a Parking Photo at the end of your ride to make sure the scooter is safely parked. It doesn’t take long and you’ll get the hang of it very quickly. Just make sure you leave the scooter upright and in a safe parking spot. In short, always ping it, don’t sling it.
Scooters sleep: In Liverpool, Voi’s shared e-scooters are all controlled remotely to be switched off during nighttime hours. Between midnight and 6am, the Vois are counting sheep. Back in time for those who are up with the early Liver birds.
Safe riding lessons are fun and free: Voi runs pop-up safety events in Liverpool and also online. These lessons are free. It also has a fun online driving school, called RideLikeVoila which you can do on the website. This guides you through parking and riding tips, rules of the road and more.
Beginners welcome: If you’re a newbie, just take it easy by switching on 'Beginner’s mode' on the Voi app. Your speed is automatically reduced to 10mph for all of your ride time. Once you feel ready to increase the speed you can do so.
In fact, Voi’s maximum speed limit is 12mph, so not that speedy - just chilled and cheery.
Voi for value
You can pay as you go, or if you are liking the Voi vibe, you can choose a Daily or Monthly Pass to explore some more. All available on the app, the Daily Pass lets you take nine rides or 200 minutes of riding for £10 and there are two Monthly Pass options.
One for £35 which allows you to ride for 300 mins per month, or one for £50 which gives you nine rides or 200 mins a day of scooting, both of which are proving popular with commuters.
Voi also has a selection of Discount Passes for students, lower-income groups, members of the armed forces and NHS or emergency workers. So if you want to get to work or college the chilled, cheap and climate-friendly way, Voi has your back.
Voi-friends
What’s a group of friends riding Voi e-scooters called? A conVoi! Taking a scooter each is a great way to explore the city together for a summer adventure.
Once you have the app, you can also invite friends, they'll get £2.50 of riding credits and you'll get £5 worth as a thank you. One important thing and this isn’t just a Voi rule, it’s the law, you must never twin ride. Sharing, in this case, is definitely not caring.
Try Voi on your travels across the UK
If you have the Voi app, you can also use it on your travels this summer. Not only do they run shared e-scooters in Liverpool, but they are also in Bristol, Bath, Birmingham, Oxford and Cambridge, to name just a few of its UK towns. In Cambridge and nearby Kettering, they also have very cool shared e-bikes
Did you learn something new? We hope so, and if you've never tried a Voi scooter give it a go! Download the app and insert the code HiLiverpool for 15 mins of free riding. The code is valid until August 31, 2022, at 23.59 and is only valid for new riders.
