For those of you that know me, you’ve probably heard me ramble about my obsession with Revel mopeds. Whether it’s discussing how I arrived at the party to debating the economic advantages of renting a moped over taking an Uber, I can always find a way to force mopeds into the conversation. After writing this article, maybe I can spare you from hijacking future discussions. But for those of you living in cities without these glorious means of transportation you might be asking; what are rentable electric mopeds? Boy am I glad you asked.
In San Francisco, there are many ways to get around the city, but none are as fast, cheap, or fun as renting a moped. My love for these mopeds started back in 2018. At the time, I’d started noticing people zipping around on electric mopeds all emblazoned with a lightning bolt on the storage compartment. While getting around the city on Uber was comfortable, it sure as hell wasn’t cheap, and I was looking for alternatives. I soon learned that the scooters were a part of the newest micro-mobility startup, Scoot (Revel wasn’t available yet). And you could easily rent those bad boys from an app.
Before being able to ride the mopeds, I first needed to watch some instructional videos and pass an exam on the app. Considering the fact that I would be operating a motor vehicle in city streets, I was a little shocked that I could easily complete the whole course during my afternoon bio break, but less time before being able to ride was fine by me. After finishing the course it was time to find a ride.
I found a moped near my apartment and unlocked it using the app, ready to ascend to scooter enlightenment. I hopped on, grabbed a helmet from the back, unpropped the kickstand and… immediately tipped the moped over. Damn these things are heavier than they look. After flipping the moped back up and questioning my strength, I finally regained my balance and was ready to ride.
I twisted the throttle and made my way down Mason Street, heading downhill towards North Beach. While at first it was difficult getting used to the weight I channeled my bike riding skills and felt more at ease as I zipped by traffic, with the speed helping the moped feel lighter. There was something exhilarating about feeling the wind stream by and the sun on my face. I soon reached my destination, Washington Square Park, where I parked and made my way to grab some coffee and reflect on my brand new favorite way to get around.
Since then, riding mopeds has been my primary mode of transportation. For starters, it’s way cheaper than an Uber. While on average my Uber/Lyft rides might come to about $16, my average moped ride is about $8. While it’s more expensive than public transportation, it’s much faster, allowing me to reach most parts of the city in 15-20 minutes. And it’s way more fun. There’s something about zig-zagging through traffic that just feels liberating.
It’s not perfect though. When Karl the Fog rolls in, being outside on a scooter is not a fun place to be. On cold winter nights, I’d much rather be in a car or Uber than freezing my butt off on a moped. Buying motorcycle gloves helped me resist the cold a bit, but while riding I couldn’t help but imagine how much more comfortable I’d be in the backseat of a Prius. And then there are the accident risks.
My worst accident happened on a winter evening after a rainy day. I was making my way back from El Metate after having feasted on a carne asada taco combo plate. I was making my way up California Street when I had the genius idea of riding on the cable car tracks. On a normal day they’re already slick, but after some rain they’re more slippery than Mario Kart banana peels. So naturally, I lost control of my moped and ate asphalt. Fortunately I didn’t hurt myself too badly, but I was pretty bruised up and my leg was involuntarily trembling from the impact. I consider myself lucky though, as unfortunately some riders have suffered fatal accidents.
Still, this was not enough to deter me from making mopeds my primary form of transportation. Which is why I was devastated when Covid-19 hit, and Scoot removed all their mopeds from San Francisco. After being acquired by Bird, it looked like mopeds wouldn't return to the city. But luckily, while Scoot disappeared from the streets of San Francisco, Revel scooters came and took their place. Since Revel came along, I’ve taken 279 rides for a total of 710 miles (and counting).
The rentable, electric moped has made my life in San Francisco so much more liberating. While the city is walkable, the hills and the so-so public transportation leave a lot to be desired. Being able to rent and ride mopeds has made much more of the city accessible, allowing me to explore beyond the slopes of Russian Hill.
If you find yourself looking for a mode of transportation that is fast, cheap, and hella fun, look no further than the rentable, electric moped. And while you’re at it, be sure to use my referral code.