Shared Use Path Network

Martha's Vineyard has an extensive network of Shared Use Paths (SUPs), often referred to as bike paths. They allow locals and visitors to travel to work, school, shopping, and entertainment destinations, as well as to spend recreational time outdoors. They provide an alternative to riding on the road (which bicyclists have the right to do even if there is a nearby SUP) for those cyclists not comfortable being on the same roadway as motorized vehicles. However, the 31 miles of SUPs have several important gaps, which means that bicyclists are forced out onto the road, often in the most congested and dangerous locations, and efforts are underway to complete the most heavily used part of the SUP network by filling in these missing gaps. 

The following documents provide more information about the Island's Shared Use Path network, as well as efforts to extend the currently incomplete network.

Overall Network

Pre-Feasability Study of the Extension of Martha's Vineyard Shared Use Path Network: This 2009 study identified the missing gaps in the Island's network of Shared Use Paths and identified how to complete each of the missing portions in order to connect the centers of the Island's three Down-Island towns with each other and with the State Forest. 

Completing Martha's Vineyard SUP Network: Four-page summary of the pre-feasibility study of extending the currently 31-mile SUP network, by filling in 6 miles of gaps. As of October 2014.

SUP Plan Concept: A map and one-page summary of the proposal to complete the Down-Island SUP network.

Beach Road - Tisbury

The Martha's Vineyard Joint Transportation Committee identified the extension of the SUP along Beach Road in Tisbury between Winds Up and the Tisbury Market Place as the highest priority for TIP funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The SUP already exists between Winds Up and the Tisbury Town Landing and, as part of the Lagoon Pond Drawbridge Project, MassDOT is extending the SUP from the Tisbury Town Landing to Eastville Beach. MassDOT has been working with the Town of Tisbury on the development of the design. 

Beach Road SUP in Tisbury Status Report: Summarizes the status of the report to extend the SUP network . Last updated on January 28, 2015. 

Plan for Beach Road SUP: One of three plans prepared by MassDOT for the Beach Road Tisbury project. This "hybrid" option includes an SUP on the Lagoon side of Beach Road between Winds Up and the Tisbury Market Place, as proposed in the 2009 feasibility study, and sidewalks on both sides of the road between the Tisbury Market Place and Five Corners.

Recent Newspaper Articles

Beach Road - Oak Bluffs

The JTC identified the extension of the SUP from Eastville Beach through or around downtown Oak Bluffs and connecting to the SUP along Beach Road extending to Edgartown as the next phase of completing the Island's SUP network, after the Beach Road Tisbury project. The Town of Oak Bluffs has started working on the design of the different segments of this project. 

Office location:

Office location:

The Stone Building
33 New York Avenue
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

Telephone: 508-693-3453
Fax: 508-693-7894

Mailing Address

Mailing address:

Martha's Vineyard Commission
P.O. Box 1447
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

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