Electric moped sharing company Revel on Thursday said it was returning to the streets of New York City with a new safety protocol, a month after it voluntarily suspended operations in the city following a string of deadly crashes.
Revel said it has struck an agreement with the city to resume service under enhanced safety protocols and increased accountability to weed out unruly drivers.All New York Revel users beginning on Thursday will have to complete a 21-question safety training and watch an instructional video. The company will also require riders to take a selfie wearing a helmet, during which phones' camera rolls will be locked so that users cannot reuse an old picture.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the moped service became a popular commuting option among New Yorkers wary of using public transportation. But the company recorded 330 crashes with injuries in the first seven months of 2020, according to New York City's Department of Transportation. At least two riders died.