Revel Mopeds, a New Addition to the Micromobility Landscape

The latest arrival on the shared mobility scene are Revel mopeds, part of the next generation of devices offering an alternative to car travel.

1 minute read

September 17, 2019, 6:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Revel Scooter

Arun D / Flickr

Henry Grabar takes a closer look at Revel mopeds, which rolled out onto the streets of New York and Washington, D.C., this summer. "In their first 60 days of operation, the company says, the scooters clocked more than 300,000 rides—meaning the service had obtained, overnight, almost half the daily 2018 ridership of New York’s inter-borough ferry system, which receives hundreds of millions in public subsidies."

The mopeds have a top speed of 30 miles per hour, reports Grabar. "One interesting thing about the Revel is that its model hews more closely to existing car culture than the weirder locomotion startups that preceded it. Signing up for Revel requires a driver’s license; users are responsible for traffic violations they commit while riding."

Cities still have a need for fast, flexible modes that can replace car travel, particularly for short trips. And as shared mobility has evolved, travelers are more willing to try out new devices like the Revel moped. "Commuters are now accustomed to trying new things to get where they want to go," notes Grabar.

Thursday, August 29, 2019 in Slate

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

7 hours ago - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.