Freedom, Mayhem, and the Uncertain Future of Revel’s Mopeds—w/ Kate Knibbs, Senior Writer at WIRED

If you don’t have access to public transportation or you’re looking for a climate-friendly alternative to Uber, then you may have considered renting one of Revel’s electric mopeds. But do micromobility companies like this actually make money? And how should micromobility fit into the larger ecosystem of getting from point A to point B?

Kate Knibbs is a Senior Writer at WIRED and the author of ‘Freedom, Mayhem, and the Uncertain Future of Revel’s Mopeds.’ On this bonus episode of Reversing Climate Change, Kate joins Ross and guest host Radhika Moolgavkar, Head of Supply and Methodology at Nori, to discuss micromobility, describing how mopeds and e-bikes should be a complement to mass transit—not the dominant form of getting around.

She offers insight on the potential profitability of a company like Revel, explaining how positioning itself as an electric vehicle company increases its chances of success and why safety issues are its greatest existential threat. Listen in to understand the role of subsidies in making micromobility ventures work and learn how Kate thinks about when to choose public transit, train travel, auto ownership, rideshare, or micromobility options.

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Resources

Kate at WIRED

Kate on Twitter

Kate on Reversing Climate Change S2EP12

‘Freedom, Mayhem, and the Future of Revel’s Mopeds’ in WIRED

Revel

Lime Micromobility

The Drivers Cooperative

Books by Paul Theroux

‘Farewell, Millennial Lifestyle Subsidy’ in The New York Times