Nantucket is perfect for bicycling: 14 miles (22.5 km) long by 3.5 miles (5.6 km) wide, relatively flat, with few hills (and those gentle and low), numerous bike paths and tolerant automobilists, biking allows you to enjoy the island's natural beauties close-up...while also getting somewhere (map).

It's easy to rent a bicycle on Nantucket, or you can bring your own on the ferry for a small fee.

Here's a rundown of Nantucket's bike paths:

Surfside Beach
Start at Atlantic Avenue and Vesper Lane in Nantucket Town, and this path takes you 2.2 miles (3.5 km) due south to Surfside beach.

Cliff Road
Another route to the beaches, this path starts at Crooked Lane in Nantucket Town and follows Cliff Road north and west toward Madaket, meeting the Eel Point/Dionis Beach and Madaket bike paths after 1.2 miles (2 km).

Eel Point/Dionis Beach
Continuing west and north from the Cliff Road bike path, this takes you to Eel Point and Dionis Beach in less than a mile. (1.4 km).

Madaket
Continuing the Cliff Road ride, the Madaket bike path starts at the intersection of Madaket and Quaker roads and goes 5.5 miles (9 km) west and south to Madaket near the western end of the island.

Milestone-Siasconset
The Milestone bike path heads due east from Nantucket Town's Milestone rotary (traffic circle) and, 6 miles (10 km) later, arrives in 'Sconset, with its beach and cafes.

Polpis
This is the long way between Nantucket Town and 'Sconset, turning left off the Milestone bike path east of Milestone rotary and following the Polpis road northeast toward Polpis, Quidnet and Sankaty Light, the now-famous lighthouse that was moved back from an eroding cliff in October 2007 at a cost of $4 million. The bike path continues southeast all the way to 'Sconset, about 8 miles (13 km) from Nantucket Town.

If you make the circuit following the Polpis and Milestone bike paths you will have biked about 14 miles, which can be done in a morning, or made a full-day excursion if you stop frequently to enjoy the natural sights along the way.

While biking on Nantucket, remember to observe all traffic regulations as though you were driving a car. In addition:

—Helmets are required by law for riders 16 years old and younger

—Riding on sidewalks in Nantucket Town is prohibited

—Mopeds (motorbikes) are not allowed on sidewalks or bike paths

---

What to See & Do on Nantucket Finding Your Way Around Nantucket Map of Nantucket Sights (.pdf) Nantucket Hotels Tourist Information Getting to Nantucket Island Transportation Nantucket History Nantucket Homepage