You know what the problem is with our real estate market, it's the people who write about it and talk about it in terms of doom and gloom. Once again the press is feeding off of what is happening in other parts of the country and making general statements, without all the facts or studying the psychographics affecting Martha's Vineyard.
Sure the market has slowed down, and sure there are more properties on the market, but it really isn't that bad. Part ot the reason the market has slowed down is because more buyers are being cautious, not wanting to appear foolish and overspend. I can tell you, having worked both sides of the market for many years, sellers got used to pricing their properties well above the broker recommendations without too much resistance from the brokers, because nine times out of ten, a buyer would come along and pay the price for that property. There was little to no price resistance and the opperative expression was, "You only have to sell it once". Well, today's buyers, thinking they have the upper hand, and maybe they do, are no longer taking the "I've got to have it before the price goes up again" point of view. Any buyer in their right mind who is watching the continuous trail of price reductions week after week will sit back and wait wondering, "How low will they go?"
Another reason there are more properties on the market is because more people are moving off the Island. More people have decided to "cash out" now and move on to more affordable communities for work or retirement, or they've simply gotten tired of the many inconveniences associated with living on an Island year round --- or perhaps the commute has become too expensive. It also stands to reason, if more houses were built and more properties have been converted to condominiums, the inventory will go up. Sure properties are taking longer to sell, and sure the TOTAL inventory has risen by ~34%, but it is not even close to what the inventory was in 1990 and 1991.
I agree with Mr. Wallace, "The Vineyard market literally goes in spurts rather than a steady trend of every day, every week, every month." This is a very rich Island in all imaginable ways and it is only going to get richer. Get in at today's dollars or wait until tomorrow, you can't lose either way.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Charting the Future of Martha's Vineyard
"The preparation of an Island Plan for Martha’s Vineyard is underway.
"The ISLAND PLAN will set the stage for local decision-making concerning a whole range of issues such as water quality, housing, traffic and transportation, open space, growth, and economic opportunities.
"The plan will have a vital impact on the future of the Island… on all of our lives and those of our children. So it’s important that every Vineyarder take part in its preparation."
"The ISLAND PLAN will set the stage for local decision-making concerning a whole range of issues such as water quality, housing, traffic and transportation, open space, growth, and economic opportunities.
"The plan will have a vital impact on the future of the Island… on all of our lives and those of our children. So it’s important that every Vineyarder take part in its preparation."
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Do You Know What Moves You?
Motivation is a curious thing when it comes to buying and selling a home. The decision making process is full of questions you should be asking yourself, answers that will sometimes surprise you and variables that need to be focused. Take a few minutes and answer the 20 questions in Your Online Housing Profile Quiz.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Pedaling the Islands
As a follow-up to the essay I wrote, Mopeds Are Dangerous, here is a wonderful article extolling the virtues of riding a bicycle on Martha's Vineyard titled Pedaling the Islands.
Monday, July 17, 2006
The Vineyard Clothesline
Can you use a laugh? Holly Nadler, ex-wife of Marty Nadler who wrote such classic television series hits as Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, and Golden Girls owns a quaint little book shop in Oak Bluffs called Sunporch Books. She’s written a new book titled Vineyard Confidential. An article in the New York Daily News reported, “The rich and famous islanders of Martha’s Vineyard should lower their voices the next time they stop by Sunporch Books in Oak Bluffs ....” They go on to relate several tales shared by our resident dirt dish darling.
• Bruce Willis reportedly hit on 137 waitresses during his Vineyard visits over the years. According to Nadler, he scored with precisely zero.
• Diane Sawyer is the most demanding of all VIPs, a source at the Vineyard airport told Nadler. "She insists on being driven to the door from her plane, rain or shine, even though it is a nine-second walk.''
You’re wondering what any of this has to do with real estate? Read the next one.
• Woody Allen once faxed a list of requirements to a real-estate agent who was supposed to show him properties. According to Nadler, the Woodman insisted the agent should remain silent unless spoken to.
As posted July 12, 2006, Akron Beacon Journal – Porter’s People
• Bruce Willis reportedly hit on 137 waitresses during his Vineyard visits over the years. According to Nadler, he scored with precisely zero.
• Diane Sawyer is the most demanding of all VIPs, a source at the Vineyard airport told Nadler. "She insists on being driven to the door from her plane, rain or shine, even though it is a nine-second walk.''
You’re wondering what any of this has to do with real estate? Read the next one.
• Woody Allen once faxed a list of requirements to a real-estate agent who was supposed to show him properties. According to Nadler, the Woodman insisted the agent should remain silent unless spoken to.
As posted July 12, 2006, Akron Beacon Journal – Porter’s People
Martha's Vineyard, A Diverse Island
Martha's Vineyard Island is a microcosm and melting pot of humanity that ebbs and flows like the flick of a lamp switch from season to season. Remember my article on "Stickers"? Those who live here wrestle to identify themselves from those who don't, and those who want to be from here. There are stickers that read "NATIVE", "I LIVE HERE....", "WASH-ASHORE", and now there are Brazilian stickers in green, yellow and blue. There are stickers for every town and stickers in the shape of a nautical semaphore flag that attests to your elitist membership to the yacht club, There are town dump stickers and beach stickers that identify you in a roundabout way and private community stickers that are another symbol of elitism.
Anyone who has lived and raised children here knows this Island can be a wonderful place to grow up with opportunities beyond imagination and a school system second to none, or it can be hell. Hmmm, sounds just like life. However, wanting to stay on the bright side of Island life, I want to share with you an essay I read in the Summer 2006 issue of Vineyard Style magazine. There is a footnote to the essay that you must not miss, so I'm repeating it here.
"Duncan Pickard is the winner of the Vineyard Style-John D. Morelli essay contest. In addition to publishing his essay, Vineyard Style awarded Duncan a $500 prize. So taken were we with his talent and drive, we hired him for the summer. Duncan will attend Tufts University."
Coming of Age and Surrounded by Sea
Anyone who has lived and raised children here knows this Island can be a wonderful place to grow up with opportunities beyond imagination and a school system second to none, or it can be hell. Hmmm, sounds just like life. However, wanting to stay on the bright side of Island life, I want to share with you an essay I read in the Summer 2006 issue of Vineyard Style magazine. There is a footnote to the essay that you must not miss, so I'm repeating it here.
"Duncan Pickard is the winner of the Vineyard Style-John D. Morelli essay contest. In addition to publishing his essay, Vineyard Style awarded Duncan a $500 prize. So taken were we with his talent and drive, we hired him for the summer. Duncan will attend Tufts University."
Coming of Age and Surrounded by Sea
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Is Anything Happening in the Martha's Vineyard Real Estate Market?
I was speaking with a broker in Sarasota, Florida the other day and he said after 3 years and a staggering 95% appreciation, the market has tanked and only 4% of the inventory sold last month. They have a real problem. But I keep hearing all this talk about a buyer’s market on Martha’s Vineyard. The market is standing still here, just like it is in New York or New Jersey or Connecticut. Even Las Vegas and Los Angeles are practically neutral. I don’t call that a buyer’s market; it’s nobody’s market. Nothing is happening! However, when it does happen, quite often it’s not pretty.
Sellers are angry at the offers they are getting and buyers arn't satisfied when they have negotiated a good price, they want more and more concessions and many deals fall apart. I maintain this is not a buyer’s market, it’s a market of opportunity, but you’ve got to be willing to look at the big picture. Now is the time to approach sellers with realistic offers and attempt to negotiate reasonable buys. Sure you can ask them to pay all or a portion of the closing costs, or pay for the structural inspection, but why beat the seller up for ugly window treatments or the old refrigerator they’re so attached to? I remember when the market really tanked during the late 80’s and early 90’s; I had to restrain a seller when he lunged across the closing table at the buyer during a closing. Having said all of this, if you're keeping score, there are approximately 485 homes, 115 pieces of vacant land including beach lots, and 16 condos for sale on Martha's Vinyard according to our Multiple Listing Service.
Sellers are angry at the offers they are getting and buyers arn't satisfied when they have negotiated a good price, they want more and more concessions and many deals fall apart. I maintain this is not a buyer’s market, it’s a market of opportunity, but you’ve got to be willing to look at the big picture. Now is the time to approach sellers with realistic offers and attempt to negotiate reasonable buys. Sure you can ask them to pay all or a portion of the closing costs, or pay for the structural inspection, but why beat the seller up for ugly window treatments or the old refrigerator they’re so attached to? I remember when the market really tanked during the late 80’s and early 90’s; I had to restrain a seller when he lunged across the closing table at the buyer during a closing. Having said all of this, if you're keeping score, there are approximately 485 homes, 115 pieces of vacant land including beach lots, and 16 condos for sale on Martha's Vinyard according to our Multiple Listing Service.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Mopeds Are DANGEROUS
The David and Goliath “us against them” campaign focused upon banning mopeds from the byways of Martha’s Vineyard Island started back in 1988 when numerous serious moped accidents had made national news. It was about that time that I first started riding a motorcycle here on the Island. I was an adult who had a healthy respect for the inherent dangers associated with motorcycle riding and I could see how those dangers were multiplied ten fold on little scooters operated by inexperienced pilots who were full of vacation exuberance and didn’t have a clue about the Island roads or where they were going.
Notice I said I was an adult. That’s because I was 42 at the time, and I guess that classifies me as an adult. However, a good majority of the people who rent mopeds are adults, so what’s the problem? The problem is, the people who rent and ride mopeds are clueless or else they think they’re bulletproof. They think nothing is going to happen to them. I think everyone who intends to rent a moped should watch a short 5 to 10 minute film showing graphically what can happen and why. But that would be bad for business --- the moped business. When I started riding I made sure I had the proper protective gear, and I never rode without a good full-face helmet, a leather jacket and boots, not flip-flops and a T-shirt. I took a motorcycle safety course, more than once, and practiced panic stops and avoidance maneuvers on a regular basis. I also did a lot of reading and learned skills that actually changed the way I drove a car and viewed traffic situations. However, the poor souls who rent mopeds and race around this Island have little to no experience on anything with two wheels and a motor. I say this because riding a lawnmower doesn’t qualify as experience, nor does a 10-speed bike. Heck, I’ll bet most of these people haven’t been on a bicycle in years.
Every summer, the horror stories would unfold about vacation visitors who had never been on a moped, much less a motorcycle, and in some cases didn’t even have a driver’s license. Nevertheless, they were set free on the seat of a moped after riding around the block and/or listening to an anemic warning. They were allowed to ride wearing nothing more than shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops or less, and with a cheap helmet bobbling upon their precious heads.
Every summer, the ER at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital received numerous victims of the moped’s unforgiving bite, and practically without fail, one of those victims would be damaged for life, or not survive. The MV Gazette would publish the sad details of these incidents along with the rhetoric, vapid promises and displays of crocodile tears from the venders, on a regular basis. I don’t expect you to read all these MV Gazette articles. The records readily available to me only go back to 2000.
Hospital Emergency Services Director Begins Comprehensive Survey of Moped Accidents Mopeds are dangerous. Or aren't they? Or, why, where, when and how are they dangerous?Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Moped Driver Suffers Serious Injuries A 37-year-old Watertown man is in stable condition after having been struck head-on by an oncoming car while riding a moped on Airport Road shortly after noon on Sunday.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Moped Survey Lists Accidents Moped accident victims need more training — most have never driven a motorized two-wheeler before, and the average customer gets seven minutes of training at the rental shop. Moped crash victims tend to be short-term visitors to the Island, and they crash most frequently in August. More bicyclists are hurt each summer than moped drivers, but victims of moped accidents tend to be hurt far more seriously.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, January 5, 2001
Moped Safety Debated A forum at the Oak Bluffs School last night began with the findings of a recent study on two-wheeled vehicles and ended in a lengthy dialogue about the history, safety and future of mopeds on the Island.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, February 16, 2001
Moped Opponents and Dealers Reach Accord After Long Battle Casting aside deep differences, moped dealers and their politically active opponents formally agreed yesterday to implement a nine-point plan aimed at one goal — reducing injuries to moped riders.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, April 6, 2001
Police Extend Crash Probe One day after the family of Eric MacLean announced they were filing a wrongful death suit against Robert Cimeno and Beach Road Moped Rentals in connection with the car crash in March that killed Mr. MacLean, state police armed with search warrants Saturday moved in on Mr. Cimeno's business and a Cimeno family residence in Oak BluffsOriginally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, June 5, 2001
Moped Crash Along Beach Road Claims Life of Virginia Visitor Three hours after renting a moped in Oak Bluffs Saturday morning, 30-year-old Katherine D. Miller tried to round a right curve on Beach Road near Harthaven, lost control of the moped and struck an oncoming car. She died of head injuries, becoming the fourth person killed in a moped accident on the Island since 1996.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, July 10, 2001
Moped Tragedy on Island Mourned and Accepted; Officials Ask for Training The 30-year-old woman killed in last Saturday's moped accident in Oak Bluffs loved to make furniture, especially chests and tables. Kate Dunnet Miller was president of her high school alumni association. "There was a charisma about her, a vibrancy. She was a real extrovert," said her mother-in-law, Dr. Caryn Miller of Washington, D.C.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, July 13, 2001
New Moped Crash Leaves Driver with Severe Head Injuries Just five days after a moped accident in Oak Bluffs killed a Virginia woman, another accident yesterday in Edgartown has left a 60-year-old moped rider from Florida in critical condition with severe head injuriesOriginally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, July 13, 2001
Rising Moped Accidents Lead To Scrutiny of Town Regulations: Family Speaks Out Four weeks after her younger sister was killed in a moped accident in Oak Bluffs, Christina Dunnet Davis is vowing to join any campaign that will rid the Vineyard of mopeds.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, August 3, 2001
Oak Bluffs Leaders Back Moped Laws Convinced there's no way to make rental mopeds safe on the Vineyard, Oak Bluffs selectmen this week threw their support behind proposed state legislation that would require anyone renting a moped to have a motorcycle license.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, August 10, 2001
Two Crashes Hospitalize Riders Operators of rented mopeds suffered two serious accidents this week on the same stretch of Seaview Avenue near Lola’s Restaurant in Oak Bluffs. In both accidents, moped operators lost control, crossed the center line and crashed into oncoming auto traffic. Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, August 17, 2001
Seven Owners Control Mopeds .There's money to be made in moped rentals on Martha's Vineyard, but just a handful of people are counting the cash — seven shop owners and four landlords, to be exact. Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, August 17, 2001
Hospital Survey on Mopeds Shows Decline in Accidents from Last Season Levels New figures released this week from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital show the number of people injured in moped accidents dropped sharply this year compared to the same period last year, but the statistics are getting mixed reviews.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, August 21, 2001
Moped Laws Are Ignored; Injuries Tell Tragic Tale Two middle school teachers from Florida, Judy and Barnard Lorence, should be back in their classrooms getting ready for a new school year, but there’s no chance of that now.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, August 24, 2001
Moped Laws Are Ignored; Injuries Tell Tragic Tale Oak Bluffs selectman Todd Rebello this week all but admitted that town officials have done a lousy job making moped dealers abide by town regulations, and selectmen agreed Tuesday night to improve local enforcement.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, August 24, 2001
Selectmen Support Tough Moped Laws After listening to a presentation by Sam Feldman of the Mopeds Are Dangerous Committee, the All-Island Selectmen Association unanimously decided to support legislation that would require a motorcycle license to rent a moped.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, September 7, 2001
Swapping Mopeds for Liquor License: Businessman Makes Deal in Oak Bluffs Here's the trade. A moped dealer who controls two rental outlets in Oak Bluffs is offering to shut down one moped shop.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, March 1, 2002
Spring Visitor Becomes Moped Casualty, Suffering Serious Injuries in Chilmark The Vineyard received an unfortunate sign of the summer season's approach last weekend when a Mashpee woman suffered severe injuries after her rental moped slipped off South Road in Chilmark Sunday afternoon. Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, April 19, 2002
Town Leaders Wrestle with Mopeds Promising to show moped dealers no mercy this summer, Oak Bluffs selectmen have begun to toughen up moped bylaws, adding new language that will increase licensing fees, set higher penalties for violations and establish a minimum height limit for child passengers.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, April 26, 2002
Moped Crash Tells Sad Tale Months Later: Wife of Victim Recounts Nightmare Moped dealers like to look at the numbers this way: Of the thousands of people who rent mopeds every season, only a few end up crashing.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, May 3, 2002
Oak Bluffs Leaders Ask for Moped Cuts Voters in Oak Bluffs could put a significant dent in the number of mopeds rented in their town if they back a tough proposal put forth by selectmen. At a special town meeting on June 18, residents will be asked to approve a bylaw that would cut down the number of moped dealer licenses issued each year from seven to five.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, May 31, 2002
Statistics Show Drop in Moped Accidents According to new statistics released this week by Martha's Vineyard Hospital, the number of people injured in moped accidents during the first seven months of the year dropped sharply for the second year in a row.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, September 13, 2002
Hospital Reports Decline in Moped Accidents; Fewer Vendors, Tighter Laws Explain Trend Oak Bluffs had fewer mopeds and fewer dealers renting them this year. Now the hospital is reporting fewer people ending up in the emergency room after crashing a moped.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, December 6, 2002
When Two-Wheelers Crash, Moped Victims Suffer Worst, New Hospital Survey Reveals 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 HospitalOriginally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, February 7, 2003
Largest Moped Agency Fails to Meet Deadline for Renewal of License 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.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, June 3, 2003
Moped Rider Hit and Injured at Blinker; Selectmen Will Consider Four-Way Stop One day after a moped rider was hit by a car at the blinker light — the fifth accident at the crossroads so far this year — leaders in Oak Bluffs are poised to take drastic action to make one of the Island's most dangerous intersections safer.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, June 27, 2003
Oak Bluffs Selectmen to Check Moped Dealers' Record Books In the years of controversy and political wrangling over the safety of mopeds on the Vineyard, dealers have kept close guard over one vital statistic: the actual number of mopeds they rent and set loose on Island roads.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, August 5, 2003
Better Direction in Moped News: Accident Totals Continue to Fall Joanne Nutting is one of the 27 people who crashed a moped on the Vineyard last year and ended up in the emergency room at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, February 13, 2004
Emergency Responders Report Moped Accidents Down Again Moped accidents were down again on the Vineyard this summer, and emergency responders cite better public safety education as a possible factor.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Island Visitor Dies in Moped Accident A woman visitor driving a moped down a straight stretch of the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road in West Tisbury on Sunday was killed after she reportedly lost control of the two-wheeled vehicle and struck a utility pole head-on.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Moped Fatality Incites Advocates for Change Sunday's moped accident that claimed the life of a 41-year-old New York City woman has reopened old wounds for Islanders who want to see stronger safety standards for the two-wheeled vehicles, and others who want them banned from the Vineyard altogether.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, July 7, 2006
As you can see, the latest casualty and fatality was on July 7, 2006 and as of this writing the passenger on this fateful moped has still not regained consciousness. Mopeds are dangerous!
I guess the logical question is, why do I care whether anyone rides a moped or not? I’m a real estate broker and that has nothing to do with mopeds. True, but I want my clients and prospective clients to be happy and healthy forever, and mopeds are dangerous. I can tell you this from personal observations and experience.
When I was on a Bermuda honeymoon back in 1967 when mopeds were relatively new to that Island, I remember being in my hotel lobby one evening enjoying a rum swizzle with my bride when 3 loud and possibly drunk men hobbled into the lobby, one hobbling more than the other. That was because he had a branch sticking through his leg and he was bleeding all over the place. He had run off the road on his moped. However, that didn’t stop my wife and me from renting mopeds the next day. Heck no, we were smarter and we would not be drinking and riding. It was a beautiful day when we took possession of our fun rides. We set out to explore the Island with me in the lead. As I gained more and more confidence, I would go faster and faster. Of course my bride, not willing to be left behind gave it the gas and stayed right on my tail. Did I tell you we didn’t have a clue where we were going and she was wearing a bikini and flip-flops? So, there we were whizzing along, and all of a sudden I heard this loud crash and wretched scream behind me. My child bride could not negotiate a fork in the road where there was tall stone wall in the center of the road. She crashed right into it, bouncing back out onto the asphalt and sliding about 15 feet on her stomach, chest and face. Did I tell you we weren’t wearing helmets? She lived, but the rest of our honeymoon was spent with her in the hospital.
My second experience was when I was working in Edgartown on Upper Main Street. At the time, I was parking my car in front of my office on the shoulder of the road, as did other people. I came out of my office at the end of the day and across the street were several summer vacationers lounging on the grass in front of the pizzeria. They motioned to me and told me to look at the side of my car. The entire front fender was caved in. I was shocked and asked if anyone knew what happened. They did, because they all saw it happen. A group of moped riders were racing up the street, horsing around, when one of them swerved and crashed into my car. The driver, who I would think would have been badly hurt considering the amount of damage, righted himself and sped away. I couldn’t believe it. Surely the moped was damaged? Surely the driver was damaged? I asked the witnesses what the driver looked like and what the moped looked like. The driver was wearing tan shorts and a white t-shirt, the moped was red. Talk about a needle in a haystack. I went to every single moped dealer on the Island and no one knew anything. My experience cost me over $2,500.00 to repair.
I haven’t ridden my motorcycles in several years, because I’m too busy and if I can’t ride regularly, I don’t want to ride at all. When I did ride, I would limit my riding during July and not ride here at all during August, because it was just too dangerous. I have been hit in the rear at a stop sign, chased and practically pushed off the road by kids on mopeds and constantly cut off by people cutting across my path who don’t know where they’re going. Without a doubt, I was invisible --- but not invincible. Mopeds are not toys and what makes them even more dangerous is the fact that the wheels are so small that the patch of rubber making contact with the road is miniscule. That, coupled with the fine carpet of sand that is always on the roads simulating tiny marbles makes stability that much more tenuous.
So, please don’t ride a moped on Martha’s Vineyard or let anyone you love ride a moped. Our Island Transit bus service is excellent and goes everywhere. There are guided tours going all over the Island and you can always hire a rental car or a cab. Our bicycle path network is constantly expanding and bicycles are a better way to get around, and exercise while you’re doing it. Did I tell you …
Notice I said I was an adult. That’s because I was 42 at the time, and I guess that classifies me as an adult. However, a good majority of the people who rent mopeds are adults, so what’s the problem? The problem is, the people who rent and ride mopeds are clueless or else they think they’re bulletproof. They think nothing is going to happen to them. I think everyone who intends to rent a moped should watch a short 5 to 10 minute film showing graphically what can happen and why. But that would be bad for business --- the moped business. When I started riding I made sure I had the proper protective gear, and I never rode without a good full-face helmet, a leather jacket and boots, not flip-flops and a T-shirt. I took a motorcycle safety course, more than once, and practiced panic stops and avoidance maneuvers on a regular basis. I also did a lot of reading and learned skills that actually changed the way I drove a car and viewed traffic situations. However, the poor souls who rent mopeds and race around this Island have little to no experience on anything with two wheels and a motor. I say this because riding a lawnmower doesn’t qualify as experience, nor does a 10-speed bike. Heck, I’ll bet most of these people haven’t been on a bicycle in years.
Every summer, the horror stories would unfold about vacation visitors who had never been on a moped, much less a motorcycle, and in some cases didn’t even have a driver’s license. Nevertheless, they were set free on the seat of a moped after riding around the block and/or listening to an anemic warning. They were allowed to ride wearing nothing more than shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops or less, and with a cheap helmet bobbling upon their precious heads.
Every summer, the ER at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital received numerous victims of the moped’s unforgiving bite, and practically without fail, one of those victims would be damaged for life, or not survive. The MV Gazette would publish the sad details of these incidents along with the rhetoric, vapid promises and displays of crocodile tears from the venders, on a regular basis. I don’t expect you to read all these MV Gazette articles. The records readily available to me only go back to 2000.
Hospital Emergency Services Director Begins Comprehensive Survey of Moped Accidents Mopeds are dangerous. Or aren't they? Or, why, where, when and how are they dangerous?Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Moped Driver Suffers Serious Injuries A 37-year-old Watertown man is in stable condition after having been struck head-on by an oncoming car while riding a moped on Airport Road shortly after noon on Sunday.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Moped Survey Lists Accidents Moped accident victims need more training — most have never driven a motorized two-wheeler before, and the average customer gets seven minutes of training at the rental shop. Moped crash victims tend to be short-term visitors to the Island, and they crash most frequently in August. More bicyclists are hurt each summer than moped drivers, but victims of moped accidents tend to be hurt far more seriously.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, January 5, 2001
Moped Safety Debated A forum at the Oak Bluffs School last night began with the findings of a recent study on two-wheeled vehicles and ended in a lengthy dialogue about the history, safety and future of mopeds on the Island.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, February 16, 2001
Moped Opponents and Dealers Reach Accord After Long Battle Casting aside deep differences, moped dealers and their politically active opponents formally agreed yesterday to implement a nine-point plan aimed at one goal — reducing injuries to moped riders.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, April 6, 2001
Police Extend Crash Probe One day after the family of Eric MacLean announced they were filing a wrongful death suit against Robert Cimeno and Beach Road Moped Rentals in connection with the car crash in March that killed Mr. MacLean, state police armed with search warrants Saturday moved in on Mr. Cimeno's business and a Cimeno family residence in Oak BluffsOriginally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, June 5, 2001
Moped Crash Along Beach Road Claims Life of Virginia Visitor Three hours after renting a moped in Oak Bluffs Saturday morning, 30-year-old Katherine D. Miller tried to round a right curve on Beach Road near Harthaven, lost control of the moped and struck an oncoming car. She died of head injuries, becoming the fourth person killed in a moped accident on the Island since 1996.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, July 10, 2001
Moped Tragedy on Island Mourned and Accepted; Officials Ask for Training The 30-year-old woman killed in last Saturday's moped accident in Oak Bluffs loved to make furniture, especially chests and tables. Kate Dunnet Miller was president of her high school alumni association. "There was a charisma about her, a vibrancy. She was a real extrovert," said her mother-in-law, Dr. Caryn Miller of Washington, D.C.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, July 13, 2001
New Moped Crash Leaves Driver with Severe Head Injuries Just five days after a moped accident in Oak Bluffs killed a Virginia woman, another accident yesterday in Edgartown has left a 60-year-old moped rider from Florida in critical condition with severe head injuriesOriginally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, July 13, 2001
Rising Moped Accidents Lead To Scrutiny of Town Regulations: Family Speaks Out Four weeks after her younger sister was killed in a moped accident in Oak Bluffs, Christina Dunnet Davis is vowing to join any campaign that will rid the Vineyard of mopeds.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, August 3, 2001
Oak Bluffs Leaders Back Moped Laws Convinced there's no way to make rental mopeds safe on the Vineyard, Oak Bluffs selectmen this week threw their support behind proposed state legislation that would require anyone renting a moped to have a motorcycle license.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, August 10, 2001
Two Crashes Hospitalize Riders Operators of rented mopeds suffered two serious accidents this week on the same stretch of Seaview Avenue near Lola’s Restaurant in Oak Bluffs. In both accidents, moped operators lost control, crossed the center line and crashed into oncoming auto traffic. Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, August 17, 2001
Seven Owners Control Mopeds .There's money to be made in moped rentals on Martha's Vineyard, but just a handful of people are counting the cash — seven shop owners and four landlords, to be exact. Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, August 17, 2001
Hospital Survey on Mopeds Shows Decline in Accidents from Last Season Levels New figures released this week from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital show the number of people injured in moped accidents dropped sharply this year compared to the same period last year, but the statistics are getting mixed reviews.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, August 21, 2001
Moped Laws Are Ignored; Injuries Tell Tragic Tale Two middle school teachers from Florida, Judy and Barnard Lorence, should be back in their classrooms getting ready for a new school year, but there’s no chance of that now.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, August 24, 2001
Moped Laws Are Ignored; Injuries Tell Tragic Tale Oak Bluffs selectman Todd Rebello this week all but admitted that town officials have done a lousy job making moped dealers abide by town regulations, and selectmen agreed Tuesday night to improve local enforcement.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, August 24, 2001
Selectmen Support Tough Moped Laws After listening to a presentation by Sam Feldman of the Mopeds Are Dangerous Committee, the All-Island Selectmen Association unanimously decided to support legislation that would require a motorcycle license to rent a moped.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, September 7, 2001
Swapping Mopeds for Liquor License: Businessman Makes Deal in Oak Bluffs Here's the trade. A moped dealer who controls two rental outlets in Oak Bluffs is offering to shut down one moped shop.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, March 1, 2002
Spring Visitor Becomes Moped Casualty, Suffering Serious Injuries in Chilmark The Vineyard received an unfortunate sign of the summer season's approach last weekend when a Mashpee woman suffered severe injuries after her rental moped slipped off South Road in Chilmark Sunday afternoon. Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, April 19, 2002
Town Leaders Wrestle with Mopeds Promising to show moped dealers no mercy this summer, Oak Bluffs selectmen have begun to toughen up moped bylaws, adding new language that will increase licensing fees, set higher penalties for violations and establish a minimum height limit for child passengers.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, April 26, 2002
Moped Crash Tells Sad Tale Months Later: Wife of Victim Recounts Nightmare Moped dealers like to look at the numbers this way: Of the thousands of people who rent mopeds every season, only a few end up crashing.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, May 3, 2002
Oak Bluffs Leaders Ask for Moped Cuts Voters in Oak Bluffs could put a significant dent in the number of mopeds rented in their town if they back a tough proposal put forth by selectmen. At a special town meeting on June 18, residents will be asked to approve a bylaw that would cut down the number of moped dealer licenses issued each year from seven to five.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, May 31, 2002
Statistics Show Drop in Moped Accidents According to new statistics released this week by Martha's Vineyard Hospital, the number of people injured in moped accidents during the first seven months of the year dropped sharply for the second year in a row.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, September 13, 2002
Hospital Reports Decline in Moped Accidents; Fewer Vendors, Tighter Laws Explain Trend Oak Bluffs had fewer mopeds and fewer dealers renting them this year. Now the hospital is reporting fewer people ending up in the emergency room after crashing a moped.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, December 6, 2002
When Two-Wheelers Crash, Moped Victims Suffer Worst, New Hospital Survey Reveals 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 HospitalOriginally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, February 7, 2003
Largest Moped Agency Fails to Meet Deadline for Renewal of License 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.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, June 3, 2003
Moped Rider Hit and Injured at Blinker; Selectmen Will Consider Four-Way Stop One day after a moped rider was hit by a car at the blinker light — the fifth accident at the crossroads so far this year — leaders in Oak Bluffs are poised to take drastic action to make one of the Island's most dangerous intersections safer.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, June 27, 2003
Oak Bluffs Selectmen to Check Moped Dealers' Record Books In the years of controversy and political wrangling over the safety of mopeds on the Vineyard, dealers have kept close guard over one vital statistic: the actual number of mopeds they rent and set loose on Island roads.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, August 5, 2003
Better Direction in Moped News: Accident Totals Continue to Fall Joanne Nutting is one of the 27 people who crashed a moped on the Vineyard last year and ended up in the emergency room at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, February 13, 2004
Emergency Responders Report Moped Accidents Down Again Moped accidents were down again on the Vineyard this summer, and emergency responders cite better public safety education as a possible factor.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Island Visitor Dies in Moped Accident A woman visitor driving a moped down a straight stretch of the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road in West Tisbury on Sunday was killed after she reportedly lost control of the two-wheeled vehicle and struck a utility pole head-on.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Moped Fatality Incites Advocates for Change Sunday's moped accident that claimed the life of a 41-year-old New York City woman has reopened old wounds for Islanders who want to see stronger safety standards for the two-wheeled vehicles, and others who want them banned from the Vineyard altogether.Originally published in the Vineyard Gazette edition of Friday, July 7, 2006
As you can see, the latest casualty and fatality was on July 7, 2006 and as of this writing the passenger on this fateful moped has still not regained consciousness. Mopeds are dangerous!
I guess the logical question is, why do I care whether anyone rides a moped or not? I’m a real estate broker and that has nothing to do with mopeds. True, but I want my clients and prospective clients to be happy and healthy forever, and mopeds are dangerous. I can tell you this from personal observations and experience.
When I was on a Bermuda honeymoon back in 1967 when mopeds were relatively new to that Island, I remember being in my hotel lobby one evening enjoying a rum swizzle with my bride when 3 loud and possibly drunk men hobbled into the lobby, one hobbling more than the other. That was because he had a branch sticking through his leg and he was bleeding all over the place. He had run off the road on his moped. However, that didn’t stop my wife and me from renting mopeds the next day. Heck no, we were smarter and we would not be drinking and riding. It was a beautiful day when we took possession of our fun rides. We set out to explore the Island with me in the lead. As I gained more and more confidence, I would go faster and faster. Of course my bride, not willing to be left behind gave it the gas and stayed right on my tail. Did I tell you we didn’t have a clue where we were going and she was wearing a bikini and flip-flops? So, there we were whizzing along, and all of a sudden I heard this loud crash and wretched scream behind me. My child bride could not negotiate a fork in the road where there was tall stone wall in the center of the road. She crashed right into it, bouncing back out onto the asphalt and sliding about 15 feet on her stomach, chest and face. Did I tell you we weren’t wearing helmets? She lived, but the rest of our honeymoon was spent with her in the hospital.
My second experience was when I was working in Edgartown on Upper Main Street. At the time, I was parking my car in front of my office on the shoulder of the road, as did other people. I came out of my office at the end of the day and across the street were several summer vacationers lounging on the grass in front of the pizzeria. They motioned to me and told me to look at the side of my car. The entire front fender was caved in. I was shocked and asked if anyone knew what happened. They did, because they all saw it happen. A group of moped riders were racing up the street, horsing around, when one of them swerved and crashed into my car. The driver, who I would think would have been badly hurt considering the amount of damage, righted himself and sped away. I couldn’t believe it. Surely the moped was damaged? Surely the driver was damaged? I asked the witnesses what the driver looked like and what the moped looked like. The driver was wearing tan shorts and a white t-shirt, the moped was red. Talk about a needle in a haystack. I went to every single moped dealer on the Island and no one knew anything. My experience cost me over $2,500.00 to repair.
I haven’t ridden my motorcycles in several years, because I’m too busy and if I can’t ride regularly, I don’t want to ride at all. When I did ride, I would limit my riding during July and not ride here at all during August, because it was just too dangerous. I have been hit in the rear at a stop sign, chased and practically pushed off the road by kids on mopeds and constantly cut off by people cutting across my path who don’t know where they’re going. Without a doubt, I was invisible --- but not invincible. Mopeds are not toys and what makes them even more dangerous is the fact that the wheels are so small that the patch of rubber making contact with the road is miniscule. That, coupled with the fine carpet of sand that is always on the roads simulating tiny marbles makes stability that much more tenuous.
So, please don’t ride a moped on Martha’s Vineyard or let anyone you love ride a moped. Our Island Transit bus service is excellent and goes everywhere. There are guided tours going all over the Island and you can always hire a rental car or a cab. Our bicycle path network is constantly expanding and bicycles are a better way to get around, and exercise while you’re doing it. Did I tell you …
Monday, July 03, 2006
Just What Is Your Oval Sticker Trying to Tell the Rest of Us?
When I was a teenager and newly acquainted with Martha’s Vineyard, before Ted Kennedy’s sad indiscretion awakened the world to the existence of this little Island, souvenir shops were selling rectangular automobile plaques with white seagull silhouettes and the words Martha’s Vineyard on them.
I remember going back to New York proudly sporting my status symbol on the front of my car, proclaiming to God and country that I was a resident of MV. I showed it to my mother, who totally surprised me with her stern and emphatic response. “Take that thing off your car immediately”, she said. Then she explained that she didn’t want anyone to know about her special Island. Well, times have changed and today we want people to know where we come from, where we’d like to come from, and what kind of dog or cat we have --- even if we don’t have a black dog. I had to chuckle when I read the following article, and hope you will too --- and take that thing off your car immediately.
Click on Link to read essay - > Just What Is Your Oval Sticker Trying to Tell the Rest of Us?
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