An Inside Look at A-A Island Auto Rental, MV Auto Rental & Island E Bike Rental, a Family Run Local Business
by Chaiel Schaffel
It’s a lot easier to notice the wind whipping through your hair when you don’t have to pedal. This is the philosophy of Bryan Nelson, A-A Island Auto Rental, MV Auto Rental and Island Electric Bike Rental, all local businesses that rent everything from his new electric bicycles and Mini-Coopers, to jeeps to minivans and Full Size SUVs.
In existence since before Google, A-A Island Auto Rental prides itself on how long its been around – and on the quality of its service. Nearly 20 years ago, an early version of the rental business that serves the island today opened up in Edgartown. The company has grown considerably since then. A-A Island Rentals and it’s sister brand, MV Auto Rentals now operates now owns and operates four locations, in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and at the airport.
Bryan generously let me take one his newly purchased e-bikes for a ride around Vineyard Haven. After exiting the shop and passing through the chaotic ‘Five Corners’ intersection in downtown Vineyard Haven, we were off. Nelson first led me along a busy street by foot, and, after getting my bearings, we speedily made our way to a steep hill that I could now climb with remarkable ease. The experience was exhilarating, as the bike gave a smooth and satisfying boost with every every stroke of the pedal.
Bryan shared behind-the-scenes details on his new fleet of electric bicycles. The e-bikes have a built-in pedal assist function which helps the rider pedal uphill, and adds extra power to the rider’s pedaling. Nelson told This Week that the bikes were a hot item, and that not many other businesses had them yet. With a range of 20 miles, the e-bikes accompany a wide variety of bikers. If the battery runs out, riders need not despair: it can be pedaled exactly like a regular bicycle. Island Electric Bike & AVIVA Bike is holding a demo day for the new e-bikes on July 11th and 12th, where you can come and feel the wind in your own hair by giving these new bikes a test drive.
Bryan’s business exists on the solid pillars of two core values; good service, and a friendly staff with familiar faces. Since their early days in Edgartown, it was the service that made A-A Island Auto Rental stand out. Hotels in and around Edgartown started using the company close to their inception. Bryan credits his success on the fact that his company was consistently clean and dropped off in a timely manner. The business also thrives on a loyal, family oriented customer base. Thirty-eight percent of the company’s business comes from repeat customers, and Nelson noted that the customers like to see “the friendly and familiar faces that work here.”
Over the years, Bryan and his team have developed a way for renting day-trippers to see most of the Island’s most notable spots. Whimsically nicknamed “The Three Hour Tour,” the renter drives from Vineyard Haven to the Gay Head cliffs, and around the entire island to hit the most popular spots with enough time to catch the 6:00 ferries. A-A Island Auto Rentals is a reliable, flexible and customer friendly business that is dedicated, above all, to you; the consumer.
More information about A-A Island Auto Rentals can be found online at www.mvautorental. com or by calling 508-696-5300. Electric Bikes are available for rent at $39 for a half day (2:00 PM-6:00PM) and $69 for a full day, or by the week, while car prices range from $79 to $249 a day
