Cycling is one of the best ways to enjoy the Vineyard! Miles of off-road trails crisscross the Island. Whether you want a leisurely tour or a vigorous challenge, along the ocean or through the forests, scenic or direct routes are available for every skill level.
Need a lift? Not a problem! The Vineyard Transit Authority public buses accommodate 2-3 bicycles at a time.
When taking the bus to West Tisbury, Aquinnah, Menemsha, & Chilmark in the busy summer months The Vineyard Transit Authority suggests that if you will not be riding your bicycle while traveling around to please consider locking it up before boarding the bus as they are often at capacity and unable to accommodate all bicycles leaving from these more rural parts of the Island in the afternoon. View their Bike Transport Policy here for more information.
Hit the Road
Martha’s Vineyard has everything you’ll need to hit the road and explore the Island via bicycle. Bicycle dealers and repair shops are prepared to meet any need - whether you’re a first time rider or professional cyclist. If you don’t own a bicycle, but still want to experience Martha’s Vineyard on two wheels, several bicycle rental shops are available to serve you.
Biking Events
Interested in Biking for a good cause? Check out BikeMS: Ride the Vineyard, a fundraising event in the spring. Feeling ambitious? Try the Vineyard Triathlon in the fall!
When taking the bus to West Tisbury, Aquinnah, Menemsha, & Chilmark in the busy summer months The Vineyard Transit Authority suggests that if you will not be riding your bicycle while traveling around to please consider locking it up before boarding the bus as they are often at capacity and unable to accommodate all bicycles leaving from these more rural parts of the Island in the afternoon. View their Bike Transport Policy here for more information.
Hit the Road
Martha’s Vineyard has everything you’ll need to hit the road and explore the Island via bicycle. Bicycle dealers and repair shops are prepared to meet any need - whether you’re a first time rider or professional cyclist. If you don’t own a bicycle, but still want to experience Martha’s Vineyard on two wheels, several bicycle rental shops are available to serve you.
Biking Events
Interested in Biking for a good cause? Check out BikeMS: Ride the Vineyard, a fundraising event in the spring. Feeling ambitious? Try the Vineyard Triathlon in the fall!
ALL CYCLISTS on Martha’s Vineyard
are encouraged to ride SMART.
are encouraged to ride SMART.
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STAY ALERT
Momentary inattention is the number one cause of incidents. Watch for vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians and hazards. Cyclists: No earbuds and no cell phone use. Motorists: No texting and driving; hands-free cell phone use only. MAINTAIN SPACE |
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Leave enough room in front of you to avoid other riders, vehicles and hazards. Ride outside the door zone. Move off the road, shared use path or trail when stopping.
ACT SAFELY AND PREDICTABLY
Wear a properly fitted helmet.
Make sure you can see and be seen.
Ride a straight line and only pass on the left. Be courteous.
RESPECT THE RULES OF THE ROAD
Obey all traffic laws. Stop for stop signs and do not ride the wrong way on one-way streets. Signal turns whenever safe. Ride no more than two abreast (single file is safer). Yield right of way when appropriate.
THINK AHEAD AND TALK
Adjust your speed around slower cyclists and pedestrians, especially on shared use paths or trails. Scan ahead and anticipate what others might do. Communicate actions and hazards, tell others when passing.
Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers. Motorists must treat cyclists the same as drivers
of other motor vehicles. Bicyclists have a right to be and should be traveling on the road in the same direction as traffic.
Wear a properly fitted helmet.
Make sure you can see and be seen.
Ride a straight line and only pass on the left. Be courteous.
RESPECT THE RULES OF THE ROAD
Obey all traffic laws. Stop for stop signs and do not ride the wrong way on one-way streets. Signal turns whenever safe. Ride no more than two abreast (single file is safer). Yield right of way when appropriate.
THINK AHEAD AND TALK
Adjust your speed around slower cyclists and pedestrians, especially on shared use paths or trails. Scan ahead and anticipate what others might do. Communicate actions and hazards, tell others when passing.
Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers. Motorists must treat cyclists the same as drivers
of other motor vehicles. Bicyclists have a right to be and should be traveling on the road in the same direction as traffic.
A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY
COMMITTEE, A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE JOINT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE OF THE
MARTHA’S VINEYARD COMMISSION
COMMITTEE, A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE JOINT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE OF THE
MARTHA’S VINEYARD COMMISSION
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Recreational and young cyclists will find wonderful sights on any number of the 44 miles of down-Island bike trails, including Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs to Edgartown, or any combination within those three main port towns and beyond. This route is mostly flat and easier for children, as well as adults. For the more experienced rider, a tour of the up-Island communities of West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah can prove quite the challenge! The terrain can be hilly and the roadway curvy in this rural area, so we suggest early morning to beat the motor traffic sharing the road. To cycle the entire Island, you can easily log 60+ miles along the perimeter. |
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Laws Applicable to Cyclists
Tips for Cyclists on Martha’s Vineyard
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