Electric bike sharing company Revel announced on Tuesday that it will soon start renting electric bikes in New York City, hoping to take advantage of the surge in bicycle popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Revel co-founder and CEO Frank Reig (Frank Reig) said that his company will provide a waiting list for 300 electric bikes today, which will be available in early March. Mr. Reig said that he hopes Revel can provide thousands of electric bicycles by summer.
Riders on electric bicycles can pedal or step on the accelerator at speeds up to 20 miles per hour and cost $99 per month. The price includes maintenance and repairs.
Revel joined other companies in North America, including Zygg and Beyond, to provide rental services for those who wish to own an electric bike or scooter without maintenance or repair. Two other companies, Zoomo and VanMoof, also provide rental models, which are suitable for commercial use of electric bicycles, such as delivery workers and courier companies in major American cities such as New York.
Last year, even though public transportation usage plummeted and remained sluggish due to the coronavirus pandemic, bicycle trips in New York City continued to grow. According to city data, the number of bicycles on the Donghe Bridge in the city increased by 3% between April and October, although it declined during April and May when most commercial activities were closed.