A signature way to explore Nantucket on an extensive network of multi-use paths, though paths do not cover every road and a full-island circuit is not a casual ride for every traveler.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
Renting a bicycle can replace a car for many Town-based trips. Choose a route suited to your group, use lights after dark, wear a helmet, and expect traffic, wind, sand, and unprotected road sections beyond the main paths. Families should verify child equipment and avoid assuming every destination has a fully separated path.
What Stands Out
- 40+ miles of paved bike paths connecting every beach and village
- Polpis Road to 'Sconset: the finest 14-mile cycling route in New England
- Full island circuit (35 miles) achievable in a day with beach stops
- Young's Bicycle Shop on Steamboat Wharf: open since 1931, the most established rental
- Flat terrain, ocean-cooled air, and moors: the most pleasant cycling conditions in the Northeast