With white sandy beaches, dense forests, and jaw-dropping cliff-side views, Martha’s Vineyard is practically made for cycling. There are dozens of Martha’s Vineyard bike trails that take you across some of the most fascinating sites and attractions on the island.
Whether you’re looking for a leisurely ride along the beach or a challenging cross-island journey, you’ll have no problem finding one of the many bike routes on Martha’s Vineyard. There are miles and miles of bike routes suitable for everyone, from families with children to professional cyclists.
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Biking on Martha’s Vineyard
Not only is biking a great way to discover off-the-beaten-path destinations, but it’s also an excellent form of relaxation and exercise. But before you go for a spin, it’s important to remember the rules of the road while biking on Martha’s Vineyard.
As a cyclist, you’re required to ride to the right with traffic. It’s also important to signal when turning or stopping, so other cyclists and motorists know where you’re heading. Although children under 16 are the only ones who are legally required to wear helmets, we recommend that everyone should wear one for extra protection!
Throughout the island, you’ll find a network of “multi-user” paths. As a cyclist, this means that you’ll be sharing the road with other cyclists as well as pedestrians and joggers. You are also allowed to ride on the sidewalk in most places, except the downtown area of Vineyard Haven.
Bike Rentals on Martha’s Vineyard
If you need to rent a bike, there are plenty of Martha’s Vineyard bike rental shops to choose from. Most of the shops are located down-island in Vineyard Haven, Oaks Bluff, or Edgartown. Wherever you rent the bike from, they will deliver it to your residence and also pick it up when you are finished with the bike.
Martha’s Bikes is centrally located near the harbor in Vineyard Haven. They rent mountain bikes, road bikes, and even children’s and youth bikes. And if you’re in the market for Martha’s Vineyard electric bike rentals, Martha’s Bikes also has you covered.
You can rent e-bikes on the Vineyard
Another popular Martha’s Vineyard Bike Rental is Wheel Happy Bicycle Shop. Located in Edgartown, they rent bikes at a daily or weekly rate. All their bikes come with a helmet, lock, and basket to make your trip as seamless as possible.
We have also used Edgartown Bicycles on Upper Main Street in Edgartown (near the Stop & Shop).
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NB! It’s cheaper to rent bikes by the week on the Vineyard. Moreover, there’s good availability if you want to rent bikes with trailers for kids.
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Bike Routes on Martha’s Vineyard
These are some popular short bike routes on Martha’s Vineyard popular with families:
- Bike to South Beach from Edgartown on the Katama Road (4 miles from the Triangle)
- Bike to Morning Glory Farm on the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road (about 2 miles from the Triangle)
- A four mile loop from Vineyard Haven around West Chop lighthouse and back
- Edgartown to Oak Bluffs along the State Beach road (about 5 miles from the Triangle to Back Door Donuts).
The Triangle is a little park on the way into/out of Edgartown at the base of Upper Main Street. It’s an infamous car congestion zone but lucky you, you’re on a bike!
There are also longer bike routes on Martha’s Vineyard for more experienced cyclists.
Bikes parked by the Edgartown harbor.
If you are looking for a a peaceful, fairly flat ride, check out Manuel F. Correllus State Forest. As you pedal through 5,300-acres of dense forest, you’ll be surrounded by oak trees and huckleberry bushes. This state forest loop is about 10 miles. This is great for older and younger children together. You don’t have to worry about older children if they ride ahead – it is one car-free loop.
Alternatively, the Oak Bluffs to Vineyard Haven trail is the best way to experience both town and country living. This loop is mostly on the paved bike path and is relatively flat, with a few moderate-sized hills. The entire ride is about 16-miles and takes you down the scenic Beach Road Path and even past the East Chop Lighthouse.
One of my kids favourite cycle rides is from Edgartown to Cape Pogue which is about 6 miles. They get to walk their bikes onto the little Chappy Ferry and the ride is relatively flat. You are sharing the road with cars. At the end of the ride, you are at the beach! An advantage of cycling to Cape Pogue is that there are not many car parking spaces at the nature reserve.
If you are a keen cyclist, you can circumnavigate the island (about 60 miles in total). My husband and his friends have done this several times (and even the kids have joined them for most of the trip).
As you venture through one of Martha’s Vineyards Bike Routes, you’ll get the chance to explore many of the fascinating landmarks and landscapes that make this pristine island so beautiful. Not only will you be immersed in nature, but you’ll also avoid the hassle of sitting in traffic or hunting for a place to park by opting for a bike rental on Martha’s Vineyard instead. There’s nothing quite like soaking in the sun and feeling the salty breeze through your hair while you’re exploring Martha’s Vineyard by bike.
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Are most of the bike trails paved or sand/gravel?
The official bike trails are paved! Of course, plenty of people take the side roads and those can be a mixture. People tend to be very aware of bikers on the side roads because there are so many kids around.