Revel Must Address Issues Related To Safety After Two Deaths, Says Uptown’s Rodriguez

Uptown’s Ydanis Rodriguez stated that “in the past week alone two New Yorkers have lost their lives in Revel crashes,

while many others have been injured in the last few months since Revel extended operations throughout the City.As a response, Revel has just announced that it will suspend operations in NYC until a later date. It is clear that Revel needs to reevaluate its electric sharing moped service before returning to operations. At the same time, our City leadership must work to put in place all necessary protections required to keep New Yorkers safe.

While mopeds are not new to the City, Revel has only been operating for approximately 2 years in the City. The moped sharing company has been very popular among delivery service workers and the younger crowd by providing a much-needed service in transit mobility throughout many neighborhoods and filling up the gap caused by the break-in transportation alternatives during the pandemic.

However, we must continue to regulate appropriately to keep riders and pedestrians safe. These safety measures could come in the form of increased moped requirements, traffic enforcement, and or public service announcements. To further examine these efforts, we will hold a Council hearing in the near future addressing safety concerns related to mopeds, e-scooters, and e-bikes.

Our City’s streetscape is rapidly changing. What once seemed impossible to accomplish, have been made a reality within less than two months as we adapt to life in the City amid the COVID-19 pandemic. New Yorkers have begun reclaiming their streets, opening them for all to enjoy the outdoors while practicing social distancing.

These initiatives include the open street program and extending outdoors space to help restaurants operate and enjoy the outdoors during these challenging times. We still have much work to do to ensure that the newly reclaimed streets are truly safe for all New Yorkers. I will continue working alongside Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson, my colleagues at the Council, and community advocates to ensure the safety of our streets.”

Ydanis Rodriguez was elected to the New York City Council in 2009, representing the 10th Council District (Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill). An educator for 13 years, Ydanis co-founded Gregorio Luperon High School and the Washington Heights Health Academy.

As a leading voice at the NYC Council, Ydanis has brought changes in transportation, education, economic development, housing, police reform, healthcare, environmental policy, and ensuring low-income families have an equitable path to middle class.

Photo credit: Riders cruise through Brooklyn on Revel mopeds. (Courtesy of Revel)