Hate Driving in Downtown Denver? Sick of Uber? Try These Alternative Transportation Options.

Downtown Denver is pushing for a comeback this summer, hoping to attract visitors to the heart of the city by partially reopening 16th Street, hosting outdoor block parties and cracking down on unsheltered homelessness.

As people previously scared away by crime and construction venture back into the city center, some may be again deterred by parking pains, inconsistent public transit or sweaty walks in 100-degree weather. But there are still plenty of fun and tasty reasons to go downtown, so fear not, Westword is here to explain the many ways to get around.

Here are some of Denver's best alternative transportation methods for locals and tourists alike:

E-Scooters, Bikes and Gliders

Among the most popular ways to navigate Denver are the rentable micromobility devices scattered throughout downtown. So far this year, the city has recorded nearly 2.6 million trips taken on electric scooters, bikes and new hybrid gliders. The devices can go virtually anywhere; available for short-term rentals through the transportation companies Bird and Lime. Qualifying low-income users can receive free rides via Lime or reduced fares via Bird.

The devices are required to be ridden in bike lanes or on the right-hand side of roadways, and more rules are be coming. The Denver City Council passed stricter rules for e-scooters and bikes in May, which will soon require the vehicles be fitted with technology that detects when users ride on sidewalks, in addition to other changes like mandatory parking zones. The rules are meant to improve organization and safety, and for good reason: Denver Health registered 1,962 patient visits attributed to scooter injuries in 2024.

Free Bus Shuttles

Want to check out the new 16th Street? The easiest way around is RTD's free bus shuttle service. The MallRide (soon to be renamed the "16th Street FreeRide") runs daily down 16th Street from Union Station to Civic Center Station, with some construction detours diverting the bus to 17th and 15th. The MetroRide runs the same route a few streets over on weekdays, operating on 18th Street and 19th Street. The buses stop nearly every block and require no ticket or fare.

Pedicabs

The dying art form of pedicabs is still kicking in downtown Denver. Last summer, there were 99 licensed pedal cab drivers in Denver, down from nearly 200 before the COVID-19 pandemic, but up from 63 in 2022. The pedal-powered taxis are prohibited on major arterial roadways and restricted within the Central Business District, including 16th Street, but they remain one of the fastest ways to get to and from concerts at Ball Arena or football games at Empower Field.

Denver Trolley

The Denver Trolley is more restrictive than the other alternative transportation methods, but it's worth a ride for those visiting any of its stops, including Confluence Park, the Downtown Aquarium, the Children's Museum or Empower Field. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays until August 11, the restored streetcar travels 2.5 miles in a 25-minute round-trip along the South Platte River, featuring narration about the area and the trolley's history.

Private Unorthodox Rides

For pre-planners opposed to traditional transit, several private companies offer quirky transportation options downtown. Bike bars like Patio Ride and Pedal Hopper let groups customize routes through the city, enjoying music and drinks as they tour Denver or hop from bar to bar. For a similar, non-bar alternative, check out eTuk Ride to travel the streets in a tuk-tuk.

Local Car Services

Still want to stick with a car? Denver is home to local services that serve as an alternative to traditional car rentals or rideshares like Uber and Lyft. Co-Op Colorado is a driver-owned rideshare app designed to raise pay and transparency for drivers. Colorado CarShare is a nonprofit that allows users to rent cars and trucks to drive for short periods, ranging from by the hour to by the month, with vehicles present throughout the city.