Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Mobility & Curb Rules

Denver's Mobility & Curb Rules: The Rules That Matter

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Every city handles mobility & curb rules a little differently. In Denver, Colorado, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Bike Lane Rules

Denver DRMC §54 and the Vision Zero Action Plan govern bicycle lanes. Drivers must give bicyclists at least three feet when passing, may not stop or park in marked bike lanes, and must yield to cyclists in protected bikeways and intersections.

Key details: Passing distance: 3 feet minimum. Bike-lane parking fine: ~$65. Plan: Vision Zero 2017. Lead: Denver DOTI.

Stopping or parking in a bike lane is a $65 traffic ticket plus tow risk. Failing to give three feet when passing is a Class A traffic infraction up to $500 if injury results.

Shared E-Scooter Rules

DRMC §54-583 and Denver DOTI rules license shared dockless e-scooter and e-bike operators. Lyft and Lime currently operate 500-1,000 device fleets each. Riders must follow on-street bike-lane rules, wear helmets if under 18, and cannot ride drunk on sidewalks downtown.

Key details: Fleet cap: Up to 1,000 devices. Speed limit: Fifteen miles per hour. Helmet rule: Required if under 18. Sidewalk riding: Banned downtown.

Riding on a downtown sidewalk violates DRMC §54-583 with $50-$150 fines. Operators failing to relocate devices or report data face permit suspension and fines up to $999 per device daily. Scooter DUI is a state offense under C.R.S. 42-4-1301.

The Bottom Line

Denver's mobility & curb rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Denver is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Denver can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.