There is natural beauty all around on Nantucket, and with miles of bike paths crossing our small island, riding a bicycle is one of the best ways to get where you’re going and enjoy the trip.
Nantucket is only 14 miles (20 km) long and 3 to 5 miles (2-3 km) wide. Because the island is so small, a bike can take you just as far as a car can. The island also has many bike paths to all corners of the island: Madaket, Cisco, Siasconset, Surfside, Polpis, and more. Even if you are deciding to go someplace without a bike path, riding on the road is fairly safe due to our low vehicle speed limits.
With a bike, you do not have to worry about parking, getting your tires chalked (there are no parking meters here, so parking enforcement puts a chalk mark on tires to track time), and getting parking tickets. Navigating into town will be less of hassle, considering how Nantucket is home to narrow streets and one-ways, and difficult parking during the summer months. Vehicle traffic gets congested during the summer season, traveling by bike can actually be faster than by car.
Roses and hydrangea are in bloom during late June and early July, and everything is green and lush. You can experience the beauty of the island, its tucked away cottages, and ocean views more intimately while biking rather than speeding by in a car.
Nantucket is also far enough out to sea that our weather is influenced by the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream makes our winters mild for the east coast and our summer temperatures tend to be about 10 degrees cooler than on mainland America. We also are blessed to have a near constant island breeze from the ocean. Even when the temperatures get warm, the breeze will cool you down as the sunshine feels warm on your skin.