Best Way to Get Around Kyoto?

I've thought of renting a bike, maybe hiring a driver for the day, and taking the subway/public transportation.

We will be going all over the city and we'll be there during the yoiyama and the Gion Matsuri festival. How do you recommend we get around?

Thanks.

I recommend a combination of walking and rail bound transportation. But details depend on where in Kyoto you plan on going. A bike will not be convenient during the Yoiyama festivities in the evening when the streets are packed with people.

There's also all day passes if you're travelling far and wide
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html

When we were in Kyoto we mostly walked a lot, used the buses, and the trains. We only had to use a taxi cab once (to get from the train station to the hotel with our luggage). Travel was not as straightforward as it was in Tokyo, but still manageable. Renting a bike is a good way to see part of one area quickly, or to stop by a nearby site, but not necessary to get from place to place.

depending on numbers, taxis are convenient and quick. Shortish trips cost around 1000 JPY, a long trip (say) from Arashiyama to Gion costs around 3000 JPY and sometimes you strike a really helpful driver. Because we travel in a family of 4, the cost isnt so bad.