# MV Bike Paths

> MV Bike Paths (mvbikepaths.com) is an independent guide to biking on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts: bike path maps, route distances and times, whether each ride is on a bike path or a shared road, bike rentals, and planning tips. It is made by Lissiland, which also publishes the free MV Bike Paths app for iPhone and Android.

Key facts:
- Down-Island towns (Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown) are linked by paved shared-use bike paths. Up-Island towns (West Tisbury, Chilmark, Aquinnah) have no designated bike paths; riders share narrow, hilly roads with cars.
- The most popular ride is Oak Bluffs to Edgartown, about 6 flat miles on the bike path along Beach Road.
- A full loop of the island is 60 miles or more.
- Massachusetts requires helmets for cyclists 16 and under.
- VTA buses carry 2 to 3 bikes on an outside rack. Ferries to the island take bikes, usually for a fee.
- Routes not yet ridden and checked in person are labeled "not yet field-checked". No route is described as family-safe until crossings and traffic are checked in person.

## Routes
- [Oak Bluffs to Edgartown](https://mvbikepaths.com/routes/oak-bluffs-to-edgartown/): 6 mi, easy, bike path. The island's most popular ride: about 6 flat miles on the bike path along Beach Road, between Nantucket Sound and Sengekontacket Pond.
- [Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs](https://mvbikepaths.com/routes/vineyard-haven-to-oak-bluffs/): 3 mi, moderate, mostly shared road. A 3-mile hop between the two ferry towns. After short path sections near Vineyard Haven, most of it is on roads via East Chop Drive.
- [Edgartown to South Beach](https://mvbikepaths.com/routes/edgartown-to-south-beach/): 3.5 mi, easy, town streets, then bike path. About 3.5 miles from the center of Edgartown to the Atlantic at Katama, mostly on a flat bike path.
- [Manuel F. Correllus State Forest Loops](https://mvbikepaths.com/routes/state-forest-loops/): about 10 mi, easy to moderate, bike path. A loop of roughly 10 miles around the state forest in the middle of the island, plus a shorter 3-mile loop.
- [Edgartown to Vineyard Haven](https://mvbikepaths.com/routes/edgartown-to-vineyard-haven/): 7 mi, moderate, bike path. The most direct route between the two towns: about 7 miles on the bike path along the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road.
- [Up-Island Routes](https://mvbikepaths.com/routes/up-island-routes/): distance varies, challenging, shared road, no bike path. West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah on narrow, winding, hilly roads. Scenic, but best for experienced riders.

## Plan a ride
- [Bike path map](https://mvbikepaths.com/map/): interactive map of the island's bike paths and routes
- [All bike routes](https://mvbikepaths.com/bike-routes/): every route with distance, difficulty, and path-or-road details
- [Plan your ride](https://mvbikepaths.com/plan-your-ride/): rides from the ferry, short and flat rides, riding with kids, up-Island rides, getting around without a car
- [Bike rentals](https://mvbikepaths.com/bike-rentals/): rental shops in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown
- [Bike safety](https://mvbikepaths.com/bike-safety/): helmet rules, riding with traffic, sharing paths, up-Island roads

## Questions
- Can you cycle around Martha's Vineyard? Yes. Riding the whole perimeter of the island is 60 miles or more. Down-Island, paved bike paths connect Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, the State Forest, and South Beach. Up-Island, West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah have no designated bike paths, and the roads are narrow, winding, and hilly with little or no shoulder, so a full loop suits confident riders. Start early to avoid traffic, and remember that VTA buses carry 2 or 3 bikes on a front rack if you want to shorten the day.
- What is the longest paved bike path in Massachusetts? The Cape Cod Rail Trail is widely described as the longest bike trail in Massachusetts. It is a paved rail trail of roughly 22 to 27 miles, depending on which sections are counted, running from Yarmouth to Wellfleet on Cape Cod. On Martha's Vineyard, the longest single path is the one along the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, about 7 miles, and together the island's shared-use paths add up to more than 40 miles.
- What is the best way to get around Martha's Vineyard? Without a car, the easiest combination is a bike plus the Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) buses. Bike paths link the down-Island towns, and every VTA bus has an outside rack for 2 or 3 bikes, first come, first served. Bikes are not allowed inside buses, and some bikes (tandems, carts, some small kids' bikes) won't fit. Bicycles are also allowed on the ferries to the island, usually for an extra fee.
- Where can I rent bikes on Martha's Vineyard? Several shops rent bikes near the Oak Bluffs ferry and in downtown Edgartown, including All Star Bike Rentals in Oak Bluffs and Martha's Vineyard Bike Rentals in Edgartown. Most are open daily in season, roughly spring through fall. Call ahead in July and August.
- Can I bring my bike on the ferry? Yes. Bicycles are allowed on the ferries to Martha’s Vineyard, generally for an additional fee. Check with your ferry line for current prices.
- Do kids have to wear a helmet? Yes. In Massachusetts, cyclists 16 and under must wear a helmet. Wearing one is a good idea at any age.
- Can you bike from Oak Bluffs to Edgartown? Yes. A paved bike path runs about 6 flat miles along Beach Road between the two towns. It is the island’s most popular ride.
- Is there a bike path from Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs? Only for short stretches. There are short shared-use path sections along Beach Road and Eastville Avenue near Vineyard Haven, but most of the 3-mile trip is on roads. East Chop Drive is quieter and more scenic than Beach Road.

## App
- [MV Bike Paths app](https://mvbikepaths.com/app/): free for iPhone and Android, with curated routes, GPS tracking, scenic stops, and bike shops
- [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/marthas-vineyard-bike-paths/id1540790053)
- [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lissiland.mvbikepaths)

## Optional
- [About and how routes are checked](https://mvbikepaths.com/about/)
- [Full FAQ](https://mvbikepaths.com/faq/)
- Contact for corrections: cbluford@lissiland.com