Moped Service Revel Suspends New York City Service After Two Deadly Accidents In 11 Days

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Moped provider Revel has suspended services for New York City after two fatal accidents in less than two weeks
Services will continue for the time being in Washington D.C.; Austin, Texas; Miami, and Oakland, California.
Revel has suspended 1,000 New York City moped riders for violations of the company's safety rules

After two deaths in less than two weeks, Revel has suspended its electric moped service in New York City indefinitely.

The suspension came hours after the death of Jeremy Malave, 32, in New York City’s Queens-borough on Tuesday. Police said Malave struck a light pole while driving a Revel moped and was rushed to a nearby hospital with severe head trauma despite wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

WCBS reporter Nina Kapur, 26, was killed in a separate accident on July 18 while riding on the back a Revel moped in Brooklyn. Police said the moped “swerved for an unknown reason,” causing Kapur and the driver, whose name was not released, to fall into the road. The driver reportedly suffered minor injuries, but Kapur was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. She was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Revel and New York city Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke about the suspension of service on Twitter.

New York riders - starting today, NYC service will be shut down until further notice. We’re reviewing and strengthening our rider accountability and safety measures and communicating with city officials, and we look forward to serving you again in the near future.
— Revel (@_GoRevel) July 28, 2020

Transportation alternatives are important but safety on our streets is paramount. We spoke with Revel this morning and they are shutting down until we can find a way to make shared mopeds safe.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) July 28, 2020

Revel mopeds became popular as an alternative means of transport around the typically hectic city since the company began operating in New York City in 2018. By 2020, Revel was offering mopeds in Washington, D.C.; Miami; Austin, Texas; and Oakland, California. San Francisco was also set to begin offering Revel mopeds in August.

Revel said operations in other cities will continue uninterrupted for the time being.

Despite its popularity, Revel has also dealt with its share of problems, credited mostly to riders. The company said it suspended around 1,000 New York City riders in the last two months for repeatedly violating its rules, such as not wearing helmets or not watching the company’s instructional riding video.