Denver has embraced shared Bikes And Scooters as a fantastic way to get around the city. This guide from usabikers.net will help you understand how to use these services responsibly and safely, ensuring a positive experience for everyone. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, understanding the rules and benefits of Denver’s shared micromobility program will enhance your urban exploration.
Riding Bikes and Scooters Safely and Respectfully in Denver
To ensure enjoyable and safe rides on bikes and scooters, remember these key guidelines:
1. Use Bike Lanes, Avoid Sidewalks
Bike lanes are specifically designed for cyclists and scooter riders like you! Always ride in designated bike lanes or on streets. Sidewalks are reserved exclusively for pedestrians and people using wheelchairs. Riding bikes or scooters on sidewalks is not only discourteous but also illegal in Denver. Prioritize bike lanes for a smoother and safer journey.
2. Ride with Consideration and Follow Traffic Laws
Respect for other road users is paramount. Just like driving a car, riding a bike or scooter requires you to obey all traffic signals and signs. Wait your turn at intersections, and always ride in the direction of traffic flow. Remember, each scooter is designed for single riders only – no passengers allowed. Being courteous and law-abiding ensures safety and harmony on Denver’s streets.
3. Park Responsibly and Keep Pathways Clear
Thoughtful parking is essential for maintaining accessibility and order in public spaces. When available, utilize designated bike and scooter parking corrals. These corrals help keep sidewalks tidy and accessible for everyone. When parking, always ensure you are not blocking pedestrian walkways, curb ramps, or access for people with disabilities. Park your scooter or bike upright, neatly, and grouped together to minimize obstruction. Responsible parking demonstrates consideration for the entire community.
Reporting Improperly Parked Bikes and Scooters
Encountering a bike or scooter that’s parked incorrectly? Denver makes it easy to report these issues. Reporting helps the operators, Lime and Bird, address the violation promptly. You can also report instances of unsafe riding. To report, simply call 311 or use the city’s online Violation Form:
Understanding Violation Types:
- Operator Violation: This refers to issues with bikes or scooters deployed by Lime or Bird, often seen in groups of five or more. This category also includes vehicle damage like flat tires, graffiti, or broken kickstands.
- User Violation: These are bikes or scooters improperly parked by individual riders after use, typically found in smaller groups of one to three.
- Moving Violation: This covers any illegal operation of a Lime or Bird bike or scooter, such as sidewalk riding, riding against traffic flow, or ignoring traffic signals.
Discounted Ride Programs for Eligible Denver Residents
Denver ensures equitable access to bikes and scooters through discounted programs for residents enrolled in assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid.
Take advantage of these reduced fare options:
- Bird Access: For just $3 per month and $0.05 per minute with no unlock fee, Bird Access makes riding affordable.
- Lime Access: Lime Access offers free 30-minute rides on both bikes and scooters, providing a fantastic free mobility option.
Program Updates and Future Developments
Denver’s commitment to micromobility is ongoing. The city’s current 5-year agreements with Bird and Lime are set to conclude in mid-2026. Looking ahead to 2025, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) will be seeking proposals for new license agreements with updated requirements. This process will incorporate community feedback, best practices from other cities, and evolving industry trends. Key areas of focus for the new agreements include enhancing parking compliance, minimizing sidewalk riding, and ensuring equitable access to bike and scooter services throughout Denver. Expect more information to be released as the process progresses, shaping the future of bikes and scooters in Denver.
Exploring Denver’s Micromobility Data
Denver is committed to transparency and data-driven decision-making regarding shared micromobility. In partnership with DRCOG and Ride Report, DOTI hosts a public data portal providing valuable insights into bike and scooter usage patterns across the city. This Open Data Portal is a resource for city planners, researchers, advocates, and the public to understand how bikes and scooters are being used. The portal features an interactive map displaying the volume of e-bike and e-scooter trips on different street segments on a quarterly basis. Privacy is paramount; no individual trip data is shared.
Click here to view the dashboard
Denver’s Shared Micromobility Program: A Brief History
Denver’s journey with shared micromobility began in 2018 with a pilot program introducing electric scooters and bikes into the public right-of-way. The pilot program quickly demonstrated the potential of micromobility to reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, improve connections to public transit, and offer convenient transportation alternatives. During the pilot phase, Denver residents and visitors took over four million trips, averaging more than four thousand trips daily.
Building on the pilot’s success, Denver City Council authorized licensing agreements with Lyft and Lime in 2021 to formalize and expand bike and scooter sharing services. These agreements included commitments from Lyft and Lime to install over 400 parking stations citywide, creating designated parking zones to mitigate sidewalk clutter. The companies also pledged to collaborate with the city on public education campaigns promoting responsible riding and parking habits. Furthermore, both Lyft and Lime committed to offering significantly reduced rates for residents participating in needs-based assistance programs, ensuring affordability and accessibility.
Key aspects of the Licensing Agreements:
- Bike Integration: Each operator is required to offer bike sharing services, with a bike fleet comprising at least 20% of their scooter fleet.
- Equitable Distribution: A minimum of 30% of the total bike and scooter fleet must be deployed daily in historically underinvested communities, enhancing transportation options in areas with lower vehicle ownership and high public transit usage.
- Geofencing Technology: All vehicles are equipped with geofencing technology to automatically reduce speeds in designated pedestrian-heavy zones, such as the 16th Street Mall, enhancing safety in busy areas.
Important Update: In December 2024, Bird replaced Lyft as one of Denver’s shared micromobility operators.
Designated Parking Zones: Where to Park Your Bike or Scooter
Denver, in partnership with Lime and Bird, has established designated parking corrals throughout the city to streamline bike and scooter parking. These include marked pavement boxes, signed parking areas, racks, and stations.
| Dos of Parking | Don’ts of Parking |
|---|---|
| – Always park bikes and scooters upright. | – Never block sidewalks, curb ramps, wheelchair ramps, or bus stops. |
| – Utilize designated parking areas or bike racks whenever possible. | – Avoid blocking fire hydrants, emergency call boxes, or other emergency facilities. |
| – Maintain a minimum 5-foot clear pedestrian path on sidewalks at all times. | – Do not block driveways. |
| – Do not park inside transit facilities, on railroad tracks or crossings, or within railroad rights-of-way. | |
| – Refrain from parking in parking garages, building entryways, or resident entryways. |
By following these guidelines, you contribute to a smoother, safer, and more enjoyable experience with bikes and scooters in Denver for everyone. Embrace micromobility responsibly and explore our vibrant city!
