Two moped dealers went to court against the town of Oak Bluffs Friday, seeking an immediate order compelling the town to renew their licenses for the summer season.
Following months of debate surrounding moped safety and regulation on the Island, the Oak Bluffs selectmen have agreed to consider a home rule petition to ban commercial moped rentals.
As Oak Bluffs selectmen prepare to hold hearings to review licenses of three rental moped companies, their town counsel has advised that effectively banning moped rentals would violate state law.
Debate about moped rentals and town enforcement flared up again in Oak Bluffs after the owner of a moped rental company asked for a waiver of the town’s requirement for a test track on his properties.
Recent efforts to restrict moped rentals on the Island follow 40 years of moped debate on the Island, with serious moped accidents often followed by public outcry and attempts to reform bylaws or curb rentals, with varying degrees of success.
Results from a Vineyard Gazette community survey about mopeds on Martha’s Vineyard show year-round and seasonal residents share strong opposition to moped rentals on the Island.
Retired Chilmark police chief Timothy Rich is back on the job again, serving as acting chief and continuing a long battle against moped rentals on the Island.
