Revel Expands into Electric Bike Subscriptions in New York City

Revel, a company initially known for its shared electric moped service, is introducing a new monthly subscription program for electric bikes in New York. This marks the second new business initiative announced by the startup in recent weeks.

New Electric Bike Subscription Details

Beginning Tuesday, Revel will offer subscriptions for electric bikes to residents throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. This expands the company’s offerings beyond its original shared moped fleet, which was its sole service until late January.

The pedal-assist bikes utilized in the subscription service are manufactured by WING Bikes. These bikes feature a 36-volt battery, providing a range of up to 45 miles on a single charge and a top speed of 20 miles per hour.

Subscription Plan Features and Support

The monthly subscription cost is $99. This price encompasses the bike rental itself, a security lock, the battery, and comprehensive repair and maintenance services.

Revel guarantees a rapid response to maintenance requests, promising to address standard bike issues within 24 hours of notification. Furthermore, subscribers will receive educational resources covering local bike regulations, safety guidelines, and optimal locking techniques, delivered both within the app and in printed form.

Revel’s Growth and Previous Ventures

Founded in 2018 by Frank Reig and Paul Suhey, Revel initially launched with a shared fleet of electric mopeds in Brooklyn. The service subsequently expanded to include Queens, the Bronx, and parts of Manhattan.

The company secured $27.6 million in Series A funding in October 2019, led by Ibex Investors, fueling its expansion. Over its first 18 months, Revel extended its moped-sharing business to cities like Austin (later discontinued), Miami, and Washington, D.C. In 2020, operations were launched in Oakland, and a permit was obtained to operate in San Francisco.

Expansion into EV Charging Infrastructure

On February 3rd, Revel announced plans to construct a DC fast-charging station for electric vehicles in New York City. This “Superhub,” located at the former Pfizer building in Brooklyn, will house 30 chargers and operate around the clock.

This Brooklyn location represents the first in a planned network of Superhubs throughout New York City. The initial ten chargers will utilize Tritium’s RTM75 model, scheduled to become operational this spring. These chargers are capable of adding approximately 100 miles of range to an electric vehicle in around 20 minutes.

Future Plans and Company Vision

With the addition of electric bike subscriptions, Revel now operates three distinct business lines. Frank Reig, co-founder, indicated a willingness to further diversify the company’s portfolio.

“Our mission at Revel is to electrify cities,” Reig stated in an email to TechCrunch. “We are expanding into eBikes to continue to deliver on this mission, and to provide additional access to our users in cities like New York. Safe to say that this will not be our last big announcement in 2021.”

A waitlist for the electric bike subscription service opened on Tuesday, with deliveries to customers anticipated to begin in early March.