Officials In WaHI Demand Safety Re-evaluations For Revel Mopeds

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Shortly after Revel shut down its New York City moped ride-sharing service Tuesday after two fatal crashes in 10 days, Washington Heights elected officials spoke out about what they said is the company's need to re-evaluate its vehicles' safety before reopening.

The mopeds have become increasingly popular in the Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods of Manhattan.

In a news release titled, "Revel Must Address Issues Related to Safety Before Returning to Operation in the City," Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, who represents Washington Heights and Inwood, noted that New York City should also take on a meaningful role to ensure the safety of moped riders.

"It is clear that Revel needs to re-evaluate their electric sharing moped service before returning to operations," Rodriguez said in the news release. "At the same time, our City leadership must work to put in place all necessary protections required to keep New Yorkers safe."

"These safety measures could come in the form of increased moped requirements, traffic enforcement, and or public service announcements," Rodriguez said. "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."

Congressmen Adriano Espaillat, who also represents Washington Heights, took to Twitter on Tuesday to voice his opinion of Revel's decision.

Espaillat called for the suspension of Revel service last week.

"I am glad Revel is suspending operations as I called for them to do last week," Espaillat tweeted. "It should not take 2 deaths for a company to do the right thing and ensure the safety of its customers and New Yorkers."

Espaillat included multiple examples in his tweet of dangerous situations involving Revel mopeds:

The evidence has been there — service provided by @_GoRevel threaten traffic safety and, more important, the lives of even the youngest New Yorkers pic.twitter.com/QPUtacsGWQ
— Adriano Espaillat (@RepEspaillat) July 28, 2020

pic.twitter.com/nKE4JYf8hl
— Adriano Espaillat (@RepEspaillat) July 28, 2020

pic.twitter.com/y1i2vO9wjA
— Adriano Espaillat (@RepEspaillat) July 28, 2020

The company offered electric mopeds to ride for 35 cents a minute. But Nina Kapur's fatal crash cast a light on its safety record, numerous lawsuits from riders and terms of service, as detailed in a Gothamist report.

And serious crashes involving Revel mopeds continued in Manhattan and Queens, according to reports.

The clamor culminated with Jeremy Malave's death early Tuesday in Queens. The 32-year-old slammed into a light pole and suffered severe head trauma, police said.

Revel's announcement that the company would suspend service and review its safety measures came quickly afterward.

Read More: Revel Shuts Down NYC Moped Service After 2 Fatal Crashes

Patch reporters Matt Troutman and Maya Kaufman contributed to this report.