Ah, a summer bike ride. Imagine yourself leisurely pedaling down the street and feeling the breeze on your face as you coast along. That’s the feeling you get on car-free Mackinac Island, a horse-drawn community where carriage rides and bicycles are the primary ways of getting around. It creates the ideal pace of life for a relaxing vacation. For visitors who prefer to experience Mackinac Island's laid-back atmosphere by bicycle, you can bring your own bike on one of the Mackinac Island ferry boats that depart daily from the mainland in St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. It’s just a small fee to add a bike onto your ferry ticket. But if you’d rather not bring your own bicycle, you can still enjoy one of Mackinac Island’s most cherished pastimes because there are several bike rental shops downtown. In fact, there are more bicycles per person on Mackinac Island than anywhere else in the world. Car-free Mackinac Island has more bicycles per capita than anywhere else because bikes are a popular way of getting around.

Tips for Renting Bikes on Mackinac Island

If you’d like to rent a bike or e-scooter while you’re on Mackinac Island, either as a recreational activity or just to get around, here are a few things to know: Mackinac Island's Arch Rock is one of the many incredible sights to see on a bicycle ride along M-185 on Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island's Sugar Loaf is one of the many incredible sights to see on a bicycle ride around beautiful Mackinac Island. The "Somewhere in Time Gazebo" from the 1980 movie starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour still stands on Mackinac Island

British Landing is located about halfway around Mackinac Island from downtown

  • Adventurous bike riders will enjoy cruising some of the 70-plus miles of paved and unpaved trails through Mackinac Island State Park. Although many visitors spend much of their time downtown, the state park actually covers more than 80% of Mackinac Island. It’s where you can pedal to extraordinary Mackinac Island landmarks  such as Sugar Loaf, Crack in the Island and Skull Cave. RELATED: Are e-bikes allowed on Mackinac Island?
Fort Holmes sits at the highest point of Mackinac Island

Getting around Mackinac Island by bike

Because bicycles are a handy way to get around Mackinac Island, it can be nice to have access to one throughout your visit. But you also can get around Mackinac Island by horse-drawn taxi or by foot, because many shops, attractions and restaurants are within walking distance of most places to stay. If you only need a bicycle to pedal around Mackinac Island or to explore some of the trails through the state park, then a rental by the hour, half-day or full day is a good way to go. A two-hour rental should be enough to ride all the way around M-185 and stop along the way for sightseeing and maybe a dip in the water at British Landing or a snack at Cannonball Oasis. A half-day rental will give you the chance to pedal around Mackinac Island and ride some of the state park trails. With a full-day rental, you could see many iconic Mackinac Island sights including Arch Rock, Devil's Kitchen, Sunset Rock and more. Mackinac Island bike shops provide maps to help you find your way, and bike shop staff can offer advice on how long it will take to see the specific list of sights that interest you. You also can take a bicycle tour of Mackinac Island that combines a bike and guided ride for about $50 plus rental fee. Riding a bicycle around the perimeter of Mackinac Island on M-185 is one of many iconic things to do on Mackinac Island. RELATED MACKINAC ISLAND BLOGS: