Gang used Edinburgh cycle scheme during failed bid to steal bike

A masked gang hired electric bikes under Edinburgh’s new cycle scheme before a launching a failed bid to steal a private bike.

The group, all dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, were filmed trying to cut the bike off a rack with an angle grinder in St Andrew Square.

Swedish firm Voi has 50 electric bikes across an 8 sq km zone of the city centre, which it has pledged to expand over time.

The firm said anti-social riding was “never acceptable”.

The incident happened in the city centre at 15:45 on Monday.

The footage, which was posted on social media, shows the gang on Voi bikes.

Two of the suspects can be seen hunched over a private bike chained to a rack, while orange sparks fly from the angle grinder.

The owner of the bike told Edinburgh Live: “The new Voi bikes in Edinburgh are already being used by gangs to get around and attempt to steal bikes.

“Luckily, my bike lock held and they didn’t get my bike.”

A Voi spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the incident and are working with the council and local police to assist with the investigation.

“Anti-social riding is never acceptable. Whilst the vast majority of our e-bike riders in Edinburgh follow the rules, we take action against those who don’t.”

The spokeswoman told BBC Scotland that no Voi electric bikes had been stolen since the scheme started in Edinburgh in September.

The scheme runs at no cost to the council and bikes can be rented through the Voi app.

Fares are set at £0.11 per minute of use, or £6.60 per hour – though the firm has also made discount bundles and subscriptions available.

Police Scotland confirmed it had launched an investigation after receiving a report of a group of youths attempting to steal the bike.

A spokeswoman said: “Officers are reviewing relevant CCTV footage from in and around the area.”