Revel stops scooter service in NYC after rider dies in Queens

A revel scooter blocks a crosswalk on Stanhope Street in Ridgewood. Eagle photo by David Brand

By David Brand

Revel announced it would stop service in New York City Tuesday, hours after a man died when he crashed his moped into a lamppost on Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park.

The company’s blue mopeds have become ubiquitous on streets throughout Western Queens, where registered members can use an app to rent the vehicles for short trips.  

“New York riders - starting today, NYC service will be shut down until further notice,” Revel said in a tweet Tuesday. “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.”

The decision by Revel came after Jeremy Malave, 32, died after crashing near 67th Drive at the Middle Village border early Tuesday morning. He was the second person killed in a Revel accident this month. CBS News reporter Nina Kapur, 26, died when she fell from the back of a moped in Greenpoint on July 18.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city would take action to restrict Revel from operating in New York.

“We have seen too many times in the last few days painful realities, people injured, and even worse, lives lost, by folks who were just trying to have an enjoyable experience and rented a Revel scooter,” de Blasio said.

“This is an unacceptable state of affairs. So, the city has the power to regulate, to restrict, and even prohibit Revel scooters.”

De Blasio said city officials talked with Revel’s CEO Frank Reig ahead of his decision to shut down service.

“That is the right thing to do, because no one should be running a business that is not safe,” de Blasio said. 

“We will work with Revel. We will not allow them to reopen unless we are convinced it can be done safely.”

Meanwhile, at least 215 people were killed by cars and trucks in New York City in 2019.