Downtown Houston is generally quiet and still if there isn’t a Rockets game or a concert, but now on weekends, you can hear the whirring sounds of a new two-wheeled thrill. If you’ve ever cruised down the corner of Polk and Main streets on a Friday night, you’ll see groups of family and friends speeding past on scooters. 

Major cities like Austin and Los Angeles have seen similar scooters overrun popular areas, but Houston’s setup is putting locals first. There’s a similarity of companies that produce in mass quantities for shared scooter-rental services like Bird, launched in 2017, and even familiar apps like Uber and Lyft have created their own versions of scooters. By contrast, centered in Houston’s Downtown, several independent businesses have stepped up to provide the zippy conveyance to customers seeking a quick spin about town. 

These two-wheeled speedsters might seem small and possibly less convenient than a car, but with some reaching speeds up to 30 mph, it’s safe to say that they pack a useful punch. While mass production companies haven’t infiltrated Houston with their scooters just yet, there’s still time to support local start-ups. 

Cruise through Discovery Green with a stylish electric scooter from Glyderz. The scooters are equipped with Bluetooth speakers, with rentals starting at $14.99 for 30 minutes and up to 2 hours at $39.99. Each rider must have a valid ID or driver’s license and sign a waiver. 930 Main St

Check out the colorful street art in Houston’s East End at Graffiti Park with a scooter rental from ScootsTX. Scoots also offers scooters available for sale and group tours. Anyone 18+ with a valid ID or with a parent can rent a scooter and cruise up to a 40-mile range with speeds up to 20 mph. 2102 Leeland St

ERYD got its start in Houston by first acquiring two successful scooter-rental companies, MUV Rental and Escut Rental. What’s great is that you can rent more than scooters, with electric bikes, fat tire scooters, mopeds, and other options in stock. 2121 Lamar St.

For good times and after-hours strolls, visit Skootr on San Jacinto Street in Downtown. It also offers late-night rentals. Skootr’s electric scooters have lights for safety and offer a variety of rental periods up to 2 a.m. on late Friday and Saturday nights. 1517 San Jacinto St

Take a late-night stroll through Downtown with a colorful light-up electric scooter from H-Town Scooters. The business is family-owned and offers scooter rentals until 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturday nights. 902 Saint Emanuel St

If you find that riding an electric scooter around town is one of your favorite daily activities, Strike offers monthly ride passes for $50. With a ride pass, you can rent a scooter for an hour every day that Strike is open. Long-range scooters offer more power with a longer battery range and can last up to 30 miles. 2805 Bagby St