Denver’s Budget and Policy Committee will be reviewing proposed scooter and e-bike legislation on Monday with the goal of increasing safety for riders and pedestrians. Councilmember Chris Hinds, along with Councilmembers Sara Parady and Darrell Watson, will be presenting a policy proposal that aims to establish higher safety standards for scooter and e-bike rentals in the city.
Since the introduction of electric scooters in Denver, more than 23 million trips have been taken, with 6.6 million trips made last year alone. However, with the increase in scooter usage, there has also been a rise in scooter-related accidents. Hinds is advocating for changes such as technology that limits where scooters can be ridden on sidewalks, speed restrictions, and mandatory docking zones to prevent scooters from being left in random locations.
Additional safety measures being considered include potential sobriety tests and ID requirements for riders. In 2024, Denver Health reported 1,962 scooter-related accidents, with an average patient age of 34.4 years old and an average cost per patient of over $19,000.
The proposed legislation is still being discussed and may undergo further changes before being implemented. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
