Denver considers crackdown on scooters and e-bikes
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A battle over e-mobility is building in Denver as crashes climb for at least the third straight year.
The big picture: Local leaders are joining forces with other cities where regulations have ramped up in recent years to target sidewalk riders and combat crowded curbs, serious accidents and mounting public frustration.
By the numbers: Denver Health data shows emergency room visits from scooter-related incidents have jumped 43.5% — from 1,367 in 2021 to 1,962 in 2024 — with each patient, typically around 34 years old, racking up average medical bills exceeding $19,000.
- Meanwhile, daily trips on scooters and e-bikes in the Denver region have exploded by 307% since 2019, according to an Axios analysis of data from Ride Report, a micromobility-focused tech company.
State of play: Riding a scooter or bike on Denver sidewalks is illegal, with rare exceptions — but with many riders flouting local laws, city leaders are looking to crack down further.
Zoom in: At a committee meeting Monday, council members Chris Hinds, Darrell Watson and Sarah Parady unveiled several potential policies they're weighing, including:
- Forcing scooter companies to install smart sidewalk technology that limits where and how fast riders can cruise;
- Mandating the installation of dock zones where scooters must be parked;
- Requiring rider education about city rules and regulations;
- Enhanced reporting for scooter and e-bike crashes and violations;
- Enforcing sobriety tests, ID requirements and fines.
What they're saying: "We're here to save lives and reduce injuries with higher safety standards for scooter and bike rentals," Hinds, who represents downtown where ridership is high, said Monday. The goal is "not ... to get rid of scooters or micromobility devices, but there should be some reasonable regulations."
What's next: Council members plan to hold community meetings to collect feedback and are aiming for council approval in June or July before the city renews its contracts with operators Lime and Bird.
What we're watching: Whether Denver's proposed crackdown signals the beginning of the end for bike- and scooter-sharing in the city.
- With Lyft already exiting Denver's e-mobility scene, similar companies face a critical crossroads: adapt to stricter regulations, or follow others that have been effectively regulated out of existence in other cities nationwide.