Bushwick Gets $4 Moped Fleet For Latest Rideshare Program

BUSHWICK, BROOKLYN — Let's get ready to moped.

Bushwick, Williamsburg and Greenpoint will now be accessible via electronic, shareable mopeds after Revel Transit, the city's first shared electric moped service, launched its new ride-share program on Monday.

The Bushwick-based company announced the new service after a new Department of Transportation rule that allows New Yorkers to use electronic pedal-assist bikes took effect on Saturday, and about a year before northern Brooklyn commuters are slated to lose their primary connection to Manhattan, the L train.

“Revel is more than just a new way to get around – it’s a missing link from New York’s transportation network,” said Paul Suhey, co-founder of Revel Transit.

“As a quick and efficient mode of transportation, we look forward to e-mopeds becoming an integrated part of the city’s transit system, especially in areas underserved by existing infrastructure.”

The program works as many similar ride share systems do: users pay a fee to sign up, access the shared bikes through an app, and pay per-minute-per-ride.

Revel charges users a $25-fee to sign up — the price covers a free moped-driving class — then $4 for a 20 minute ride and 25 cents-per-minute every extra minute. Rates go down to a nickel-per-minute if you turn of the moped during your ride.

The electric bikes don't take gas or keys, and anyone with a driver's license and a credit card can sign up to use them.

Users can reserve a moped through the Revel app up to 15 minutes in advance and take the mopeds anywhere in Brooklyn or Queens, just as long as the bikes are returned to the company's home turf in northern Brooklyn.

Mopeds are not allowed in bike lanes or on sidewalks, expressways, highways major bridges or thruways and you'll need a five-foot space to park the dockless bikes.

"Revel adds a missing piece to our city's transit puzzle at a time when it couldn't be more necessary,"said Bushwick City Councilman Antonio Reynoso in a statement released Monday.

"This brand-new, safe, convenient and affordable option will catch on quickly with residents looking for transit alternatives.”

Find out more about you electric Brooklyn ride on the Revel Transit website.

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Photos courtesy of Russell Murphy/Risa Heller Communications and Revel