Oxford Voi e-scooter parking to improve with £3.5m funding

Voi announced the major investment earlier this week to tackle anti-social parking of shared e-scooters and e-bikes on city streets, called the Oxford Parking Fund.

The company has been operating in Oxford since 2021 and has, to date, delivered around 5million e-scooter and e-bike rides in the city.

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A further £3.5million investment into its sustainable transport scheme will see a new team of street patrollers, removing unsafe or problematic parking locations, introducing tighter parking controls for users who repeatedly park ‘irresponsibly’ and launching monthly, in-person training sessions with local providers.

E-scooters parked in Headington (Image: Voi)

Anneliese Dodds MP joined Voi in Headington to visit problematic e-device parking sites.

The Labour MP for Oxford East said: “It was helpful to see the steps which Voi are putting into place which they maintain will improve parking of shared e-scooters and e-bikes in Oxford, and to discuss how Voi is seeking to respond to concerns raised by my constituents.

“I welcome Voi’s commitment to invest in better parking infrastructure, more on-street staff and tougher action against irresponsible parking in Oxford – and want to see this delivering much-needed change.

E-bikes and e-scooters parked in Oxford (Image: Isabella Harris / Newsquest)

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“I will continue to work with local residents, local councils and Voi to push for these improvements to be delivered and for our streets to be safe for everyone.”

The investment scheme will also see work expand with third-party contractors to respond faster to e-bike or e-scooter issues, and collaborating with the council on carriageway parking to free up narrow pavements.

This latest funding will join the £1.65 million Voi has already invested in measures to improve parking bays and parking compliance for riders.

Harry Foskin, Voi’s senior public policy manager, said: “Oxford is one of our flagship UK cities, and over the past few years our shared e-scooters and e-bikes have become part of how thousands of people get to work, university, the shops and appointments every day.

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved with our partners at Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council, but we know we can always do more to make our service work better for everyone.

E-bikes and e-scooters parked in Oxford (Image: Isabella Harris / Newsquest)

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“Our new £3.5 million Oxford Parking Fund is about doubling down on that commitment – investing in better bays, smarter technology and more people on the ground to keep streets safe, tidy and accessible.

“By putting millions of pounds into parking improvements over the coming years, we want to show that shared micromobility can cut congestion and pollution while coexisting seamlessly with pedestrians, local residents and other road users.

“We’re here for the long term and determined to keep raising the bar in Oxford.”