Updated, August 16
Local public safety officials are reporting a fatal moped accident on Sea View Avenue on the Oak Bluffs side of Big Bridge.
The driver of the moped, identified as 41-year-old Julie Harris of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, died after a collision with another vehicle. A passenger on the moped, 40-year-old Anya Fisher of Boston, was also critically injured. Fisher was flown from Martha’s Vineyard Hospital to Boston.
Witnesses reported that neither were wearing helmets, according to an Oak Bluffs Police Department press release, although two helmets were found at the scene. Harris was pronounced dead at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital at 12:15 pm.
State police are still investigating the cause of the accident.
The release stated that the moped driver suddenly veered into the opposite lane of traffic and hit a white Jeep Wrangler.
According to the press release, witnesses told police that the Jeep was being operated safely prior to the crash.
No life-threatening injuries were reported to individuals in the Jeep.
The accident occurred at approximately 11:30 am. As of 1 pm, officials with Edgartown and Oak Bluffs departments were still on the scene.
Oak Bluffs Police say that Sea View Avenue from Canonicus Avenue to the Big Bridge, and Beach Road in Edgartown from the Triangle to the Big Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic until further notice.
Danielle Whitney, spokesperson for the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office, said the case remains ongoing. “We have no other information or comment on the incident at this time,” she said.
The moped was rented earlier in the day in Oak Bluffs, according to the press release.
This is the Vineyard’s third fatal moped crash in the last 10 years, of at least eight moped accidents in that time.
In August 2021, a young woman was killed and her passenger, a young man, was seriously injured when their moped collided with an oncoming SUV on Chilmark’s South Road. They were riding in a group of three mopeds. Police reported that the passenger claimed the moped would not turn.
In July 2014, a young man died when he lost control of his moped and collided with a pickup truck on Chilmark’s South Road.
My heart goes out to the first responders who have to/are dealing with yet another tragic loss of life because of a moped accident.
Anyone remember islanders trying to ban mopeds 20-30 years ago?
How many fatalities and critical accidents will it take to stop the insane use of mopeds on this island.
Next up the insane use of bikes with motors just like a moped on the bike paths.
Good point! Bike path signs should specify No Mopeds and No Motorized Bikes.
Wait until the town gets sued for improper governance of these issues that lead to death!
Ban Mopeds. Lots of accidents are not even reported. I use an ebike on the bike paths responsibly. Rather than risk my life on the West Tisbury road. Some ebikes are faster than others. The authorities should post speed limit signs on bike paths. Probably at 20mpg. Mopeds are not needed if the bike rental places offered ebikes and not mopeds. The ebikes rentals can have governors on them to keep the speed down. Then it is up to the individual to use some sense of reason when riding anything on wheels. Just my opinion. You don’t have to agree.
Anyone doing 20 MPH (not mpg) on a bike path is a hazard by definition, what with pedestrians and slower (often with children riding) bicycles. E-Bikes on the bike paths is a recipe for numerous accidents to happen, and some could be fatal with that kind of 2 way, often-slow traffic.
Rules for thee but not for me. So typical for this island.
They ban mopeds it’s ebikes next even class 3. In the last three fatal accidents it was clearly the moped drivers fault and all but one has passengers. Maybe start there.
Insane use of bicycles of on sidewalks, we need more rules and regulations.
Gut wrenching. I imagine their day began anticipating a fun summer adventure. Now someone is dead and another injured. Police and first responders go home tonight with heavy hearts and families are broken. The driver of the Jeep will be haunted by this. Why? So someone can make a buck renting a moped? I know that’s a massive oversimplification, but it’s so senseless and completely avoidable. Condolences to all affected.
My parents were behind the moped all the way up beach rd the moped did not go over the line.
Really? In the picture the moped is on the wrong side of the road
Post accident.
If that is the case, they should reach out to local law enforcement and share their eye witness account immediately (assuming they haven’t already).
Big if true
Have your parents made a statement to the police? This info seems to contradict the report.
That’s a tricky area road suddenly goes from uncongested straight to active curve area with sandy parking area on right and busy cross walk just before crowded bridge. Need to really slow down and be prepared to stop. So sad for those young ladies.
Carla, Our country does not need more restrictive and authoritarian government control. This rental business provides a necessary service to many consumers including residents and visitors.
Moped rentals are not the problem. Individuals renting are licensed adults that accept responsibility for their actions. Drivers must tightly secure the chin strap on the helmet. Signing the rental agreement is their written acknowledgement of their driving competence.
Renting a vehicle and driving in an unfamiliar location is a risky proposition for most people. Pray for all the individuals involved in this terrible fatality.
Mopeds are a necessary service?
? not sure thats true its a necessary busienss if you own one
Ridiculous libertarian nonsense.
Roy, my husband is a LICENSED motorcyle driver. Mopeds are similar to motorcycles and require SKILL and TRAINING to know how to operate safely. So, hmm…driving competence on a motorized vehicle with no outside protection that they have never driven before? Without knowing how to balance the vehicle with two riders, how to distribute weight when going around a curve or a bend in the road, and not knowing that when your passenger is taking a selfie or drinking a beverage or taking photos on the back they are putting the riders in danger? Nope. I started a new version of Mopeds Are Dangerous (MADAC) in 2016 after Noelle Lambert lost her leg in a crash. My first petition was to require licenses of moped riders. And I beg to differ, but RENTAL mopeds ARE the problem as are the renters of the mopeds who do not provide “adequate” to unsuspecting visitors out to “have a good time.” Those who drive motors and scooters as a form of regular transportation know what they are doing.
Your empathy is touching.
“Individuals renting are licensed adults that accept responsibility for their actions.”
Though I’m big on personal responsibility, I disagree in this case. Assumption of risk involves the knowledge to make an informed decision. The public, for example, has ample access to long-term safety data on cars. Tourists likely don’t know about the injurious, deadly history of mopeds on the Island, and without awareness that a pattern exists, they won’t think to research it.
A standard driver’s license covers the rules of the road but does nothing to ensure that folks understand how to operate a moped, which handles differently than other vehicles. Mopeds lack sturdy construction and are horrible on Vineyard roads.
I’d guess people see these rentals are legal and assume the dangers cannot be too significant. That mopeds are so easy to obtain probably lends a false sense of security and encourages the inexperienced to give them a try. The most ethical step is to protect those potential riders, and their loved ones, from repeated tragedy. The benefits of mopeds will never outweigh the risks.
It’s also unfair to other drivers who could find their own lives turned upside down due to such a tragic accident.
Absolutely correct. The punishment for ignorance and even stupidity should not be death. Always amazed that mopeds haven’t been banned on the island. So many rules for safety and yet so many unsafe things have no rules.
Thank you, someone, sane among all these Karens. What happened to being an adult responsible for your actions?
Ban teenage drivers. Wait till 23 for a license; how many island kids have died or ended up killing others, being drunk, or just being wreckless and under 21 driving their first car? More than mopeds, but I don’t see all of you screaming, “Ban teen drivers.”
In Holland, you can drink at 16 but get licensed at 21 to drive.
Why do people have to die on vacation, not to mention the life long mental anguish and sadness of the person (people) driving in the jeep. The recklessness of some people who visit here is terrible and sometimes deadly. I heart and prayers go out to all involved. As well as us residents of MV who care.
Our family was there (with our wonderful taxi van driver) and witnessed this horrific accident right in front of us. We are heartbroken for all involved and are praying. To the EverSource employee who jumped out to administer CPR, you are a true hero. To the women driving the / driving in the Jeep, we are sending you extra love.
Hi Kimberly – This is Jim Adams, Thanks for your kind comments. I know Julie Harris personally and her family is devastated by this loss. Is there a way I can reach out to you to know more about what you witnessed? You can send me an email : Adams-Jim@hotmail.com
What is the constituency that supports moped use on the island? Do some people believe it helps with tourism? Can’t see but a very limited draw from mopeds. And do you see what happens to traffic slowing down when mopeds are ahead? And the dangerous passing that this necessitates?
I hadn’t notice the mopeds and had hoped they’d been banned. For crying out loud, why can’t we get rid of this terrible danger. Ban these killer bikes!
On narrow roads where shadows lie,
Tourists come with dreams so high,
Mopeds hum beneath the sky,
But some will crash, and some will die.
Unfamiliar hands grip tight,
On winding paths in fading light,
Freedom sought in a fleeting flight,
Ends in sorrow, ends in night.
How many souls must we mourn,
Lives cut short, families torn,
Before we heed the cries forlorn,
And make these roads safe, reborn?
We love our guests, we cherish their stay,
But not at the cost of lives astray,
Let’s act now, let’s find a way,
To keep them safe, both night and day.
God bless the fallen, may they rest,
In peace and love, forever blessed,
But let their loss ignite our quest,
For safer roads, for all our best.
My heart goes out to everyone involved: the families of the deceased and injured, the driver of the Jeep, all of the first responders and witnesses, the police who responded. As a founding member of the most recent group (Mopeds Are Dangerous Action Committee in 2016), my heart is beyond heavy. Our group did our best to make the island safer. There is no longer a rental outfit in Vineyard Haven. Tim Rich of MADAC followed the process to getting a Home Rule Petition submitted at the State House. This would enable Oak Bluffs to vote to end the rental of mopeds. Why is the priority commerce over human life? I urge all people who are in favor of ending the scourge of mopeds to reach out to the Oak Bluffs Selectboard and urge them to reignite the submission of the Home Rule Petition to rid our overcrowded island of the possibility of another serious accident or fatality.
It is completely insane that there are still moped rentals on this island. Every summer for as long as I can remember there has been at least one fatality or very serious injury or both every year, if not more than one. These rentals should simply not be allowed. Period.
When will we ever learn ?
This is blood on the hands of those officials who allow moped rentals.
This is so very sad, and so very preventable.
I doubt there’s sufficient data to build a case with the numbers, but my guess is that mopeds carrying two people are vastly overrepresented in serious accidents here. I was a motorcyclist for more than 20 years and recall that when starting out on a learner’s permit, motorcyclists aren’t allowed to carry passengers in Massachusetts. A passenger just adds too much instability to the operation of a two-wheeled motor vehicle. If we can’t ban mopeds on Martha’s Vineyard, perhaps we can ban mopeds with two people aboard.
Very sensible suggestion: No passengers. Just one rider per bike.
That would be comparable to driving an e-bike.
I have been driving a car for 50 years but have never driven a moped or motorbike and would not set out to do so without considerable practice in a safe area.
That even goes for an e-bike, even though I am a seasoned bicyclist.
Handling any unfamiliar type of vehicle requires some practice.
I don’t think we have a complete picture yet of exactly how this accident occurred.
Why did the driver swerve into the oncoming traffic?
Was there any reason for this? Such as sand on the road?
Or did she not swerve into the oncoming traffic?
There seems to be disagreement on this.
We need to find out all the details.
Nis, agreed.
So very sorry for the loss of life and serious injury to the passenger.
No helmets is a BIG NO NO.
Like no life jacket on the water.
“WHY?” WE ASK following every near-miss, serious injury, and fatal accident involving rental mopeds. The answer: failure of OB Town Leadership.
TWICE the Oak Bluffs voters voted unanimously to submit a home petition to NOT allow the rental of mopeds in their town. The first petition expired in committee in 2021. The second is now churning through Beacon Hill.
YET, this Spring, the OB Selectboard voted 4-1 to approve an incomplete license application requesting a physical change of address. This is in direct conflict with the Town’s moped bylaw and disregards the declared sentiments of the citizens.
They further choose not to enforce the moped by-law by continuing to allow all three dealers the use of Towns public roadways as their training track, permitted by a 2013 temporary injunction that the Town chose not to challenge. (The by-law requires an on-site safety training track, under direct supervision of an employee. Instead, moped riders are sent around the block in what is arguably the most congested traffic in Oak Bluffs – at great liability to the taxpayers.) The change of address should have nullified this allowance.
I attended the April meeting and challenged the above points and the Selectboard choose to vote as they did and here we are again.
Anyone with any questions about rental mopeds historical or current are free to call me at (508) 645-3797.
My heartfelt condolences to all those affected by today’s sadly avoidable tragedy.
Timothy S. Rich,
Retired Police Chief, Chilmark
Chairman, Moped Action Committee
Absolutely gut wrenching. I was on the island today and was out driving around when I heard the ambulance sirens. When I came upon the accident scene it was knarly and look like something out of a movie. I was just shocked and in disbelief that the scene was so spread out because the speed limit is 25 mph on that stretch. Condolences to all the families.
So sad and so avoidable. Ban moped rentals and take the great bus service on the Vineyard.
Ban cars. They kill people.
Having lost my first wife to a pedestrian accident nearly 44 years ago when she was 27 and I was almost 26, I deeply understand the life-altering effects from suddenly losing someone who had become part of your very being. Sadly beyond adequate words to describe, lives were permanently changed today. For those loved ones who must now and forevermore continue on with remembered tragedy being a devastating part of their earth-life story, I send you my caring compassion and love.
My amazing Aunt Carle, who had lost her ray-of-sunshine son, Nelson, from leukemia at the age of 15 several years earlier, wrote the following paragraph in a straight-from-the-soul letter to me the night of my wife’s funeral in November of 1980:
“Someone sent me a card shortly after he died and the words impressed me so they will be with me until I die and I would like to share them with you – ‘Remembered joy can break the heart. But who… even on the darkest day, would choose to have missed the joy.’ And this is how I survive remembering the joy he gave us.”
To this day, I give out copies of her letter – written to me almost 44 years ago – to those loved ones remaining who grieve. My personal doctor and his wife, who is a nurse, told me after losing their 7-year-old son, Jeffrey, also to leukemia, that of all the things he and his wife had read to help them with their grief, my Aunt Carle’s letter was the most helpful.
moped is not the issue the problems is the responsibility of the drivers ,
Completely wrong!
Do mopeds kill people in cars?
Yes on both sides cars and mopeds
It’s quite possible that the pressure to rent a dangerous moped is increased when people find out how hard it is to get a car over the the island due to the SSA mismanagement and lack of adequate staffing. If you are going to advocate for the banning of mopeds and don’t want tourism to go down, you need to also advocate for the steamship to run full boats at the full schedule that we used to have.
Or advocate for the moped rental owners to turn in their moped licenses for cars, as Fun ‘n Sun Rentals did responsibly in 2017. I’ve also heard that there is not an adequate number of rental cars here.
Really. They rented moped because they couldn’t get a reservation? What’re is your proof?
Condolences to family that lost a loved family member.
Dear Luis,
Seriously?
Most of those additional cars would debark in Vineyard Haven.
Have you been in Vineyard Haven lately?
The traffic crawls through Maini Street and Five Corners, with drivers blaring their particular aural poison out their open windows—a new summer “pleasure.”
There is now a tailback every single day up State Road, starting early in the morning, the fumes ruining air quality.
There is no room for more cars, especially the absurdly huge vehicles now clogging our streets and parking illegally in private lots.
It is time to think about restricting the number of vehicles allowed onto the Island in the summer.
The SSA has never had a bigger schedule or higher load factor.
The cause of inadequate staffing is a robust economy.
Cramming in more cars and small trucks to our already-overcrowded roads with yet more of them in Summer is totally the wrong approach to supposedly making it ‘safer’. We already have a good transit system here that operates regular schedules year-round, and is chronically underutilized by locals and tourists not well-informed of its existence, thanks in part to the One man, One vehicle mentality that is alive and well on MV. Encourage and fund better mass transit, (and better maintenance of bike paths), and in so doing reduce the onerous Summer road congestion and the stress it causes everyone involved. The VTA can get visitors and residents around on the many routes where it is efficient, and routes and buses can be added with the concerted effort and will of local government – a mode of getting around the island that’s very reasonably priced, less expensive than driving with inflated local gas prices, and then idling in crawling traffic. Not a cure in itself, but a good alternative.
If we can’t get the law changed and it is only one business now operating this life-and-limb costing enterprise, might it be possible to buy it out and shut it down? I’d contribute.
Condolences to the families and friends of the two women. I would also like to extend sympathy to the driver of the white jeep wrangler who was innocently going about his or her day peacefully driving safely as reported by witnesses until a moped crossed over the line and slammed into his her automobile and now their life is turned upside down with this trauma and investigation…a trauma they will most likely scar them forever.
When was the last time a moped killed someone in a car?
A pedestrian?
Mr. Hess,
Please explain your point?
One could read it to mean as long as it’s only the operator or passanger on the rental moped killed or injured, no one else involved is injured or afflicted?
Cars kill people on mopeds.
Mopeds do not kill people in cars.
Rental or not.
A moped incident could easily kill someone in a car if the car’s driver has to swerve, or if it becomes a multi-vehicle accident.
Most people can say with other topics that they don’t want government overreach. So, let’s consider what that means when we have knee-jerk reactions to a tragic death and a seriously injured woman.
Could we have some facts please?
How many people know that motorcycles experience more fatalities than mopeds? And yet, no one suggested that we ban motorcycles!
I don’t see knee-jerk reactions. Quite the opposite. Due to our specific history, many Islanders have held the opinion for decades that moped rentals need to be banned at the local level. Or, at the very least, heavily restricted. In addition to fatalities, there have been far too many injuries and near misses over the years. These ideas on how to prevent further harm are thoughtful and needed, not irrational.
Motorcycles ALREADY require a special permit/license. They are restricted in that sense, as they should be. Mopeds require almost nothing of novice riders—a target market—which is part of the problem. Tourists can’t be prepared for a Vineyard-wide trip with a short turn around the block. The conditions are not the same in all spots, and it may add to the false sense of security I mentioned.
The information I found about motorcycle crashes being a little more likely to result in death pertains to data mostly collected in Australia. The same study included this:
“Crash rates relative to exposure were also estimated, suggesting that mopeds crashed at nearly four times the rate of motorcycles and scooters per million vehicle kilometres (~621,000 miles) travelled (6.3 versus 1.7).”
I am not sure how relevant the above is to Island-specific accidents. Local stats are hard to find. This terrain differs from certain locations in the U.S. where mopeds are becoming popular. It would not surprise me if the fatality rates are actually lower in cities, provided the streets are gridded and free of sand.
My guess is that there are fewer motorcycle crashes on the Vineyard when compared to mopeds. I knew one person who was killed here while riding a motorcycle. The cause was excess speed—an intentional infraction that could’ve been prevented. What’s scary about mopeds is that they’ve been known to crash even when the rider is attempting to follow the rules.
It’s bizarre to me that with all of the government’s undue influence in our lives, this small but vital change is what’s seen as overreach. It’s the exact kind of problem that actually warrants intervention—new restrictions would save lives.
What better use of law?
I’ve spent lots of time in Bermuda, where they drive on the other side! Driving any vehicle when you don’t know the roads and traffic patterns is very difficult. At least in A car, riders are protected from road rash and worse.
We drive on the other side.
“This is blood on the hands of those officials who allow moped rentals.” I agree ban cars, bikes mopeds, motorcycles, electric scooters, roller skates, walking, skiiing
skiing, boats, ships, planes. Did I forget something? In case you misunderstand, this is parody.
Humans are always in danger of illness, injury and death everywhere. Our country was founded by brave men and women that risked everything including family, lives, property. Let individuals choose to accept their level of risk. Skydive, scuba dive, be a nurse, join the military or police, etc. Stop being a wuss, wimp, candy ass. Leave our country is you want to live in a totalitarian state.
Roy, if you object to dictatorial behavior, maybe refrain from telling others to leave the country on account of their differing opinions.
Name-calling is unnecessary and distracts from the crucial matter at hand. Please consider who may be reading these comments after such a loss. Let’s be respectful.
No one is cowardly. We’re advocating for the preservation of what counts. Yes, life is full of risks, many of them unavoidable. Doesn’t mean it’s wise to give up on protecting each other from preventable harm.
By that logic, we would have to accept, and even welcome, drunk driving. Some already have, and it’s caused nothing but suffering.
Responsible adults take their neighbors’ well-being into account. That is not worthy of ridicule.
Best comment yet Roy.
Roy– I can agree with you to a point- There is inherent
risk in everything we do. However the government plays a
part in mitigating risk. Like requiring air bags
and brake lights on motor vehicles. I think that most
of the people who rent mopeds are not fully
cognizant of the risks they are assuming.
The “training” they receive is clearly inadequate,
I doubt the moped renters talk to them about the dangers
posed by sand, distracted tourists in cars, or the fact that we
have serious moped accidents and fatalities nearly every year.
I would feel a little better if they were required to watch a 10 minute video
about the proper way to operate a moped, like where to ride in the road
— sometimes it’s safer to actually “take the lane” I do it on my bike from Morrice florist all the way into 5 corners, and when I am following the road when I turn left off
spring street onto Pine tree road in front of the Tisbury school. The video could also
include safety tips like how to deal with sandy conditions and the statistics on
injuries and deaths. I remember When the Times had a little banner on the top
of the front page that listed moped and bike accidents for the previous week.
it includer ER visits, hospital admissions and fatalities.
The “they assumed the risk” argument is only valid if they actually
knew the risk. I doubt many moped renters do.
A moped is not inherently dangerous. The driver has the responsibility of being safe (honoring traffic rules and for personal safety). I’d think that maybe the minimum rental age for vehicles (all) could be raised, but driver was over 40. It’s just very unfortunate.
If we are counting accidents: wasn’t the one where the moped didn’t make the turn at the Hospital and hit a VTA bus head-on fatal? Less than a mile from the start of that renter’s tour of MV.
So, thanks to the Mopeds are Dangerous crowd, there are fewer mopeds on island roads, but guess what?. The bike paths are now filled with electric bikes, flying past us silently at 30 mph. No time take your eyes off the path for even a second. The speed at which these electric bikes are traveling on the bike path and passing us without so much as an announcement is enough to startle a person into a ditch. Where is the E-bikes are Dangerous crowd? I guess as long as the mopeds are not annoyingly clogging up the roads, the e-bikes on the bike paths are perfectly fine.
You imply that one is responsible for the other. That’s just not remotely accurate.
You completely missed my point. I was implying, and not very obliquely, that since the electric bikes are not on the roads, annoyingly slowing down the automobiles, there’s no big E-bikes Are Dangerous campaign. But they are. Very. I have witnessed a bad electric bike accident and I encounter these speeding demons while riding my bike on the bike path everyday.
Electric bike are so dangerous. My husband just missed getting hit by one as he walked out the front door.
You can’t hear them.
Just horrible to read about such an accident again and my heart is broken for eachl of those people involved. I’ve lived here for nearly 40 years and I’m aware of way too many moped tragedies. While we’ve significantly decreased the number of mopeds over the years, we’ve recently added some new modes of transport. We have ebikes that can travel between 15.5 – 28MPH depending on class that we often see on island bike paths. They don’t belong there but who’s going to say anything or do anything about it? Not bad enough? They’re are now several iterations of motorized scooter/skateboards on our town roads and streets. I personally know these “vehicles” are noiseless because I’ve had many a young operator come up behind me and my dog on the VH sidewalks. I’ve observed them darting in and out of moving and stopped traffic alike, passing cars either on the left or right depending on opportunity. I’ve seen them travel with or against traffic. Helmets, no helmets. I’ve seen operators taking photos or videos, behavior that’s just too idiotic to comprehend! I fear this type of vehicle will be the cause of the next horrendous accident. Is there anything we can do BEFORE it happens?
It’s been happening for decades.
Mopeds predate most “Real Islanders”
Less than 15 minutes after the death, I was caught in a traffic jam on Beach Road between the hospital driveway and Five Corners which took an hour to navigate. Meanwhile, moped riders and motor scooter riders sped past me in the bicycle lane (which, as I understand it, is illegal). No law enforcement officers intervened. Inconsiderate and illegal moped and motor scooter riders are disrespectful, but only law enforcement can impose punishment which, hopefully, would show them that breaking the law has consequences.
I think moped renters are required to provide a helmet.
I wonder if they tell the rentees that they are required to wear them.
just like a motorcycle. Of course we don’t have enough information yet
to know if a helmet would have saved either of them
from any damage– but it certainly couldn’t have hurt.
Police take notice.
Here is a solution. Create laws to train, certify and license each individual operating a human, gas or electric powered vehicle for island residents. Include a minimum and maximum age limit for each license holder. Enforce these laws by hiring more police and traffic monitors. Create a law prohibiting non-residents from bringing and operating any vehicles.
Please realize this solution is only a parody. Some comments above want to restrict rights of others. In the United Kingdom and some European countries the government is considering limiting residents to a 15 minute geographical area. George wrote “1984” in the 1950’s. The book is about the totalitarian countries he served in the 1930’s. Should we give up our rights and obligations to politicians because we want safety and cradle to grave care?
Roy, while getting from place A to place B is your right, no matter the distance, traveling as an operator on a public street is more of a privilege. There are many reasonable restrictions in this legal area, and for that I’m glad. What happens on our roadways can affect others permanently; the consequences of our actions in this instance extend well beyond personal freedom.
The examples of dangerous
behavior that you gave in a previous comment (skydiving, scuba, joining the military) differ from mopeds and cars on an important level. In those scenarios, the risk involved is relatively localized to the person making the choice, and to his or her loved ones in the event that something goes wrong.
I agree—that falls under an individual’s right to decide. As long as skydivers are informed of possible outcomes and the companies meet whatever safety measures are required, I see no objection to them remaining in business.
With mopeds—and I’m speaking in general, not placing blame for this particular tragedy—a hazard is created for everybody on the road when one is in use. There exists a variety of potential negative effects on the community. The same is true of cars and trucks, which is why I support laws strict enough to minimize the proven risks of driving. I only wish those rules, many of them common sense, were followed 100% of the time.
Everything concerning government is a balancing act. No, we shouldn’t hand over all of our freedoms, but we must also respect another’s right to life and peace.
Today in traffic heading towards the Island Queen in Oak Bluffs I witnessed two moped drivers weaving around cars to get ahead of everyone, and swerving towards oncoming traffic at one point. I see the same thing with motorcyclists, too. Just an observation – some two-wheel drivers are going to drive irresponsibly no matter what.
For those who argue “it’s not the moped, it’s the driver”, you’re missing the point. Mopeds have stability problems because of the small tires and design. It’s easier to lose control of a moped if it hits a patch of sand. So yes, they are inherently more dangerous especially for inexperienced drivers on unfamiliar roads with distractions everywhere.
SAFE TWO-WHEEL TRANSPORTATION SUGGESTIONS FOR MARTHA’S VINEYARD
I wish to propose the following ideas to get islanders’ thoughts & conversations flowing:
1.) No more mopeds should be available for rent on Martha’s Vineyard. Period. These rentals are probably much too often to first-time, inexperienced riders of any gas-powered two-wheel vehicle. Balancing and safe-distance braking, especially with a passenger on the back, should be first practiced for multiple hours on low-traffic streets or in large empty parking lots before attempting to operate in congested traffic. Neither of these safe practice areas are available on Martha’s Vineyard, especially in summer.
2.) E-BIKE rentals must NOT be equipped with seating for two riders. Period. A single seat with a basket on the back for carrying things should be perfect for getting to the beach or going grocery shopping.
3.) E-BIKES should have a speed governor at 20 MPH. Period. Going faster than that on two bicycle wheels is very dangerous, especially with the risk of having to navigate around or through unexpected patches of sand.
4.) All E-BIKES should come equipped with the wider tires for safer stability through sand.
5.) E-BIKES should have the old-fashion “ring-ring” type warning bells that the rider is required to sound when overtaking walking pedestrians from behind to pass on their left, or even before riding within 10 feet of stationary pedestrians not looking the rider’s way.
6.) Passing within 10 feet of pedestrians should be limited to 7 MPH, the same speed as for vehicles in the Oak Bluffs Campground area. E-cyclists are to follow the standard driving “Rules of the Road” when riding on public streets. Violators could be subject to fines or possible immediate E-BIKE rental termination through a police call to the rental agency.
7.) No cycling, E-BIKE or otherwise, should be allowed beyond the Chilmark Police Station on the road to Aquinnah. That road is simply too curvy, hilly, narrow and dark after the sun goes down for any safe E-BIKE or regular cycling whatsoever. If you wish to go to Aquinnah, park your bike near the police station where permitted and take a bus there.
These are my best ideas to start with. I would love to hear the suggestions of others. I hope my “mustard seeds” take root to help make Martha’s Vineyard a safer place to visit and enjoy life.
Steve– there are 2 types of e-bikes. ones with a throttle
that you can just sit on and go. The other is Pedal assist- that requires
that the rider actually pedals. I have one of those–i’m 72– from my experience,
the act of pedaling puts the rider much more “in tune” with the bike–
It feels just like any other bike I have ridden, but it feels like I am 20 yrs
old and in top physical shape. The assist on my bike and most pedal
assist bikes cuts out at 20 mph. It also only has one ger in the front sprocket
–9 in the back– the front sprocket is geared like the middle sprocket on
a normal bike, further limiting the speed the bike can attain.
I agree with your 20mph suggestion,Of course its hard to defy gravity if
you are going downhill and want to go faster.
I think all bikes should have both a front and back light.
And a mirror. I put near a thousand miles a year on my bike and can’t
imagine riding without a mirror.
Also the bell — I use mine often when on the bike path– It’s
surprising, given that it’s just a little ringer bell like you suggested,
how far away people can hear it– of course many people have
headphones on and are completely oblivious.
I mostly like your suggestions– except the last one–
That’s totally out–
Thank you Don, for your thoughtful feedback / suggestions. Yes, I totally forgot to mention anything about front / rear lighting and dual mirrors, which are definitely mandatory items. Also should add the sidewall rings on tires which reflect headlights for drivers to be able to more easily see cyclists at night from a side approach.
Still sticking with the no cycling past the Chilmark police station, though,… unless, that is, the road is widened and a designated bike path is created.
Where are the selectman ???? They are the ones the only ones who can help push this law… not looking to blame the inaction or dive into the biz owners who must be behind this stalled law, but isnt maintaining public safety part of an elected officals job? We dont have dedicated lanes for these, the roads can be slippery with sand and drivers are typically inexpereinced and on vacation. All of public safety police fire and EMT support the ban. This isnt rocket science just common sense, Someone needs to surface the small minority that has been sucessful in stalling this law and elevate their reasons so all can see.
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