The oak forest in the middle of the island is flat, shaded and often almost empty.
Plate 01
Biking on Martha’s Vineyard often beats driving. Paved bike paths and quiet back roads link the beaches, towns, ferry ports and nature areas, so you can leave the car on the mainland and still get everywhere you want to go.
Rides run town to town, through the oak forest mid-island, or along the coastline near the Atlantic, and by bike you set your own pace and stop wherever you like.
Why bike here
Dedicated paths connect the major towns, beaches and attractions, and the terrain is mostly flat. Casual riders and children manage fine.
One more option for a long stay: the Chicken Alley Thrift Shop in Vineyard Haven usually has a rack of second-hand bikes for sale outside, at a fraction of a season of rental fees. Condition varies, so check the brakes before you buy.
Second-hand bikes lined up outside a shop in Vineyard Haven, a cheaper way to get rolling for a month on the island.
Popular areas and routes
The busiest routes run between Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and Edgartown, on smooth paths that pass beaches, harbors and shopping areas.
The quieter riding is inland through West Tisbury and Chilmark, where the routes pass farmland, stone walls and open fields with far less traffic.
A 
B 
C A: a paved path running through the pines; B: a bike left against the boulders at the water; C: a gravel double-track through the scrub, where the pavement runs out.
Safety and practical tips
Biking here is generally safe. Town centers and road crossings are where to pay attention, and the paths are shared with walkers and joggers. Massachusetts law requires a helmet for riders 16 and younger, passengers included.
Know Before You Go
On the path
Follow the posted bike path signs and traffic markings. Several crossings put you back onto road traffic without much warning.
Use lights or reflectors near dusk. The wooded stretches go dark earlier than the sky suggests.
Slow down at road crossings and busy intersections, particularly in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown.
Walkers and joggers use the same paths. Pass wide and call it out.
The path bending left through the state forest, with a yellow curve sign and no cars.
Questions
Biking questions, answered
Do I need to bring my own bike on the ferry?
No. Rentals, including e-bikes, are available in every port town and several shops offer island-wide delivery. For a long stay, the Chicken Alley Thrift Shop in Vineyard Haven usually has second-hand bikes for sale outside; check the brakes before you buy.
Is the island flat?
The down-island paths between Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown are mostly flat and paved. Up-island, through West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah, the roads roll and climb, which is where an e-bike earns its rental fee.
Which route is best with children?
The Correllus State Forest paths in the middle of the island: about fourteen miles of paved, shaded, car-free path. The State Beach path between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown runs beside the water and is about six miles, flat the whole way.
Can I put my bike on the bus?
Yes. VTA buses carry an outside rack for two or three bikes, first come first served. When the rack is full the bike waits for the next bus, which matters on summer afternoons from the beaches. Schedules are on our VTA bus page.
How do I get a bike to Chappaquiddick or Aquinnah?
The Chappy ferry from Edgartown takes bikes across the 527 feet of harbor to Chappy. For Aquinnah, the seasonal Menemsha bike ferry crosses the channel to Lobsterville, saving the long loop by road. The Aquinnah page has the details.
What should I watch for on the paths?
Road crossings that put you back into traffic without much warning, especially in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown; walkers and joggers on the same paths, so pass wide and call it out; and dusk, which comes early in the wooded stretches, so carry lights.
Keep Reading
Ride along on video
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Four free downloads · 2026 The Beach Guide, the Fall Guide, Where to Stay and What It Really Costs Every beach, the fall season date by date, every town and price band for a stay, and the budget guide: four PDFs, free with the island letter. No spam, one click to leave. See a sample first Ride these routes before you go
Filmed on the island, handlebar height. The bike paths, the hills, the puddle that nearly stopped us.
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