Bicycling
on Martha’s
Vineyard
Thank you for choosing to see the Island by
bicycle; it’s a great way to soak up the Vineyard’s
character and slower pace. Cycling also helps
reduce auto traffic, preserves the environment, promotes fitness and, best of all, cycling is a lot of fun!
Bicycle safety is important, and this pamphlet offers
tips to make your ride on the Vineyard safe and
enjoyable. Whether you ride on the Island’s nearly
40-mile network of convenient paths or stick to the
roadways, you will have to share them with
pedestrians or motorists. Knowing your responsebilities as a cyclist is instrumental to your safety.
Be safe and enjoy your stay!
Laws Applicable to Bicyclists:
Bicyclists are subject to Massachusetts’s traffic laws
and regulations, specifically:
 Bicyclists shall ride WITH traffic. DO NOT ride
against traffic!
 Bicyclists may ride two abreast, but should get into
single file to assist faster-moving traffic to pass.
 Bicyclists shall signal when turning or stopping
using either hand, unless safety requires both
hands on the handlebars.
 Bicyclists 16 and under MUST wear a helmet
(adults should do the same).
 Bicyclists and passengers must ride on a
permanent seat or child seat.
 Bicyclists must not carry bundles, except in a
basket or rack.
 Parked bicycles may not obstruct vehicle or
pedestrian traffic. This applies on the paths, too.
 Bicycles ridden at night (½ hour after sunset to ½
hour before sunrise) must be equipped with a
white front light and a red rear light or reflector
and have reflectors on both pedals (or cyclist’s
ankles). Reflectors or reflective clothing visible from
the sides is also required at night.
Another set of laws that apply on Martha’s
Vineyard: The Laws of Physics. Accidents can
happen, even on vacation! If you fail to obey traffic
laws and exercise caution, you risk serious injury.
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital treats well over 100
injured cyclists a year. Don’t be one of them!
Produced by the Bicycle and Pedestrian
Sub-committee of the Martha’s Vineyard
Joint Transportation Committee, c/o
Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
Funded in part by MassDOT and the
Federal Highway Administration and
Mass In Motion.
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Other Things You Need to Know:
In addition to the laws, the following advice will
help you on the Island’s roads and paths:
 The Island features a network of shared use
paths. Cyclists share the path with pedestrians,
roller skaters, etc. All users should stay to the
right on paths. Remember that pedestrians have
the right of way on paths, and cyclists must give
audible warning when passing (e.g., “Passing
on your left”).
 Be alert for vehicles crossing the shared use
paths from intersecting roads and driveways.
 Cyclists ALWAYS have the right to ride in the
road, even when there is an adjacent path.
 Narrow, rural roads are part of the Island’s
charm, but they often have little or no shoulder
for cyclists – especially Up-Island. Make it easier
for motorists to share-the-road by staying to the
right and, if riding in a group, spacing
yourselves to allow passing.
 Evaluate your experience and comfort with
riding in traffic that includes large trucks and
buses.
 Riding on sidewalks is permissible, except in
downtown areas where posted.
 Beware of sand and debris on roads and paths,
soft road shoulders, and storm drains.
 Always wear a helmet. Without a helmet, even
minor falls can be life threatening!
 Don’t impair your safety by using cell phones,
headphones or ear buds while riding.
 Plan ahead: Carry plenty of water. Food, water,
bike shops, and restrooms are generally only
available at town centers. Also, bring a Vineyard
Transit Authority (VTA) schedule and fare in case
you become tired or stranded with a flat tire);
VTA buses are equipped with racks for two or
three bikes.
Bicycling on Martha's Vineyard
A. West Chop Loop: For a quick, scenic four-mile ride in
Vineyard Haven, take Main Street out past the West Chop
Lighthouse and loop back on either Main Street or
Franklin Street.
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C. Oak Bluffs to Edgartown: The six-mile Beach Road
path from Oak Bluffs to Edgartown is the Island’s most
popular ride for a reason, offering scenic views of State
Beach and Sengekontacket Pond. Note that the
path is narrow and usually quite sandy.
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Shared Use Path
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B. East Chop Drive: There is no continous Shared Use Path
along the water route between Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs
three-mile trip, which is a heavily traveled roadway. Be cautious
especially around the hospital, and consider detouring to East
Chop Drive; while it’s a little longer, it’s scenic and much less
congested.
D. Edgartown to Vineyard Haven: To get
directly from Edgartown to Vineyard Haven, use
the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road path.
Watch for vehicles crossing the path from
side roads and driveways on this rolling,
seven-mile trip.
Lighthouse
Bike Routes
A. West Chop Loop
Cape Poge
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Katama Bay
E. South Beach Route
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F. State Forest Loops: Four miles outside Edgartown, the path along
Edgartown-West Tisbury Road takes you into the State Forest, where
you can enjoy a beautiful loop of roughly ten miles around the forest.
There is also a smaller loop of about three miles in the northeast corner
of the forest. Both of these loops are easily accessible from Oak
Bluffs (five miles away) and Vineyard Haven (about three miles). Exercise caution, as some portions of the path surface are heavily cracked,
and be watchful at corners for other path users.
E. Edgartown to South Beach: Biking from Edgartown to South Beach (three miles) avoids parking
hassles, and there are paths with bike racks on both Katama and Herring Creek Roads. Roads in
Katama, like Edgartown Bay Road and Slough Cove Road, offer generally flat and pleasant riding.
G. Up-Island Route: “Up-Island” towns of West
Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah do not have
Shared Use Paths. Most of the roads in these towns
are narrow, winding, and hilly, and suitable mainly
for experienced cyclists.
H. West Tisbury to Vineyard Haven: To get
from West Tisbury to Vineyard Haven, consider a
detour on rolling, twisty Lambert’s Cove Road, and
then take a left onto West Spring Street to avoid
the heavy traffic on Upper State Road.
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