The oak forest in the middle of the island is flat, shaded and almost empty: the ride most visitors never think to take.
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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. You do not need to be a serious cyclist to ride on Martha’s Vineyard, 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 outside the thrift shop on Chicken Alley. Not showroom stock, but a bargain 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.
For quieter riding, head 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 dropping away through the pines; B: bikes left against the boulders at the water; C: the mid-island double-track, gravel and scrub, where the pavement runs out.
Safety and practical tips
Biking here is generally safe, but stay alert near town centers and road crossings. The paths are shared with walkers and joggers, so a little courtesy goes a long way.
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.
No car, no schedule, and a yellow sign that is the only traffic instruction you will get all afternoon.
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. Every VTA bus carries a rack for 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 decoded, the fall season date by date, every town and price band for sleeping over, and the honest 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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