Bolt has expanded its micromobility fleet with the launch of its first fully in-house developed shared e-bike. The new model is smaller, includes built-in solar charging, and is designed to be safer and easier to use for daily trips in cities.

The e-bike has already debuted in Barcelona and is scheduled to launch in Liverpool in February. Bolt designed the vehicle internally to better meet the needs of riders while also addressing city concerns around safety, parking, and public space management.

“With our new in-house designed e-bike, we’re redefining what a shared bike can feel like. Unlike the heavy, clunky models people have come to expect in micromobility, this bike rides with the agility, safety, and manoeuvrability of a personal high-end bicycle. We engineered it to be significantly lighter and vastly more energy-efficient than anything else on the market today, while making it more compact to help cities address the everyday challenges around parking and public space. We’re also proud to introduce the industry's first integrated solar charging and a full-colour display innovations that set a new benchmark for what shared e-bikes should deliver for riders and for cities,” said Dmitri Pivovarov, VP of Rentals at Bolt.

Integrated solar charging

The most distinctive feature of the new e-bike is an integrated solar panel built directly into the floor of the front basket. While the bike is parked and not in use, the panel powers the vehicle’s connected systems, easing pressure on the main battery.

According to Bolt, the solar panel saves an average of 3.7 kilowatt hours of energy per bike each year. This reduces the need for more than six battery swaps per bike annually. Fewer battery swaps also mean fewer service van trips, which helps reduce congestion and emissions linked to fleet maintenance operations.

Bolt states it is the first shared micromobility operator to integrate solar power into a shared e-bike in this way. The company notes that the energy saved could charge a smartphone over 300 times, run a laptop for more than 60 hours, or power several household washing cycles.

Compact frame and lighter build

Bolt designed the e-bike to be more compact than standard shared models. Engineers used 24-inch wheels to shorten the frame by more than 20 centimetres compared to typical shared e-bikes. The smaller size makes the bike easier to handle in tight streets and crowded intersections.

Weighing 34 kilograms, the bike is also among the lightest shared e-bikes currently available. Despite the lighter build, Bolt says the vehicle offers a longer range than many heavier models already on the market.

The design targets riders who may find traditional shared e-bikes too large or difficult to manage, particularly in dense urban environments.

Built for accessibility

Bolt designed the e-bike with inclusivity as a core requirement. The bike features a low step-in frame, a widely adjustable saddle, and ergonomic handlebars that support an upright riding position. These elements aim to make the bike easier to mount, ride, and park for people of different ages, sizes, and physical abilities.

The model also includes one of the largest baskets currently available in shared mobility. Bolt states that the combination of stable kickstand, upright posture, and spacious basket supports more comfortable everyday trips, such as commuting or short errands.

Display and hardware

A full-colour display on the handlebars shows riders their speed, battery level, local speed limits, and nearby parking. The display adapts to local languages, helping riders navigate city rules more easily.

Additional safety hardware includes turn indicators, a bright rear brake light, and roller brakes designed to perform reliably in wet conditions. Wide pneumatic tyres help improve balance on uneven surfaces such as cobblestones and tram tracks, which are common in many European cities.

Bolt says these features support more predictable riding behaviour and align with city Vision Zero goals that aim to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities.

AI-based compliance system

The new e-bike also includes a forward-facing AI camera. The system can detect pavement riding, recognise parking racks, and identify when riders are close to pedestrians. In some cities, the camera already triggers audio alerts to warn riders when they move too close to people walking.

Bolt states it is the first operator to offer pavement detection on a free-floating shared e-bike. By identifying improper riding and parking behaviour automatically, the system reduces the need for manual enforcement while helping cities keep footways clear.

Rollout and context

Bolt says it is working closely with city authorities to ensure the new e-bike meets local safety standards, parking rules, and long-term mobility plans. The company positions the model as part of a wider push to support active travel and reduce reliance on private cars.

Bolt currently operates more than 250k e-bikes and scooters across 250 cities in 25 countries. The company describes its micromobility services as a way to support short trips and first- and last-mile connections to public transport.

“We see this vehicle as part of a broader shift,” said Pivovarov. “Cities want fewer cars, but that depends on shared options that feel practical, safe and genuinely pleasant to use. This bike brings that future a little closer.”