Manuel Suza just ordered a fill-up at deBettencourt's gas station in Oak Bluffs and only had to shell out $1.66. No wonder he was still smiling.

His rig barely uses any fuel, but it comes with a price. It's a moped, and he's riding the thing in 35 degree weather. That explains the thickly-insulated coveralls and ski gloves.

Mr. Suza is one of a handful of hearty Islanders who rely on a vehicle that would hardly win a popularity contest on the Vineyard.

Largest Moped Agency Fails to Meet Deadline for Renewal of License

By CHRIS BURRELL

After more than a year of tough talk about enforcing moped regulations and showing scofflaw dealers no mercy, Oak Bluffs is now giving a break to two brothers who own the biggest fleet of mopeds in town.

The latest survey of moped, bicycle and motorcycle accidents on the Island won't show the broken ribs, the punctured lungs or the "whole body rubbed raw" by a case of road rash, said Dr. Alan Hirshberg, the director of emergency services at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.

Emergency Responders Report Moped Accidents Down Again

By BRIEN HEFLER

Moped accidents were down again on the Vineyard this summer, and emergency responders cite better public safety education as a possible factor.

Preliminary numbers compiled by the four ambulance departments on the Island show that the departments responded to an average number of calls during the summer months, with a slight increase in the down-Island departments.

But across the board the number of moped accidents saw a significant drop.