Block Island Police Impound 21 Mopeds In One Day

NEW SHOREHAM, RI —Police on Block Island impounded 21 mopeds over the weekend after riders were seen riding unsafely and violating the terms of their rental contracts, the New Shoreham Police Department said in a news release.

Early Sunday afternoon, an off-duty officer saw a large group of people riding erratically. The riders were standing up while riding, weaving, operating without helmets or protective eyewear, and riding in a swarm. A nearby police officer subsequently stopped 19 mopeds at 10 Beach Avenue. The officer contacted both Aldo’s Mopeds and Island Moped & Bike Rental. The local businesses told police to impound the mopeds so that they could repossess them for breach of contract.

Later that day, two mopeds were seen operating erratically on Old Town Road and riding on the sidewalks. Police stopped the riders. Old Harbor Bike & Moped Rental was contacted. Owner John Leone told police that both operators had been properly advised of the rules. He, too, requested that the mopeds be impounded so he could take them back.

“Block Island is a beautiful place, and we want visitors and residents to enjoy its natural beauty and fun atmosphere safely,” said Police Chief Matthew C. Moynihan. “Unsafe and aggressive driving will not be tolerated in New Shoreham, and we hope that our response to these incidents will make visitors think twice before bringing bad behavior with them on vacation."

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“We appreciate the ongoing collaboration with the New Shoreham Police Department,” said Mike Finnimore of Island Moped. “We want our customers to be safe and we will immediately cancel a rental agreement if our mopeds are being used in any way that violate its terms.

“We are providing clear training and guidance to each operator at the time of rental,” said John Leone of Old Harbor Bike & Moped Rental. “If people don’t follow the rules and the law, we need to do our part to be good community members and seize the mopeds."