Riding with kids
Riding a bike is a great way of building physical activity into the everyday lives of kids. If you’d like to help your child learn to ride, here’s a few tips:
- Choose a grassy area with a gentle slope that your child can roll down – this helps to separate learning to balance from learning to pedal.
- Learn to pedal last – once your child can balance on two wheels down a slope, pedalling will fall into place – you can even unscrew the pedals for awhile if that helps, or use a balance bike.
- Resist using training wheels – learning to balance is the key to riding a bike, and training wheels delay this from happening.
- Show your child how the brakes work – children’s bikes may have handlebar brakes or back-pedal brakes (where you push backwards on the pedals).
- Give it time – lots of kids take a few sessions before they master riding on their own, but once they get it you will have provided them with a lifelong pleasure.
Bicycle Network has put together a suite of information and videos to assist parents teaching children how to ride. Visit the website to find out more.
Bike skills workshops
Cycling Brisbane runs popular free learn to ride classes for younger children, bike skills training for 7-10 year olds, and junior mountain biking sessions. Find an event and book your child's spot.
If your kids thrive on thrills, Council has BMX tracks throughout the city.
Suggested parks for learning to ride
Brisbane has lots of family-friendly bikeways to enjoy. Some of Brisbane's parks have dedicated learn to ride paths or a gentle, grassy slope that's perfect for getting off training wheels. Below is a list of suggested parks suitable for riding with younger kids.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| 7th Brigade Park | 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside, QLD 4032 |
| Bill Brown Sports Reserve | 411 Roghan Road, Fitzgibbon, QLD 4018 |
| C.B. Mott Park | 49 Abbotsleigh Street, Holland Park, QLD 4121 |
| Carindale Recreation Reserve | Bedivere Street, Carindale, QLD 4152 |
| Gap Creek Reserve Picnic Area | Gap Creek Road, Mt Coot-tha, QLD 4066 |
| Greenways Esplanade Park | Greenways Esplanade Park, Parkinson, QLD 4115 |
| Guyatt Park | 19 Hiron Street, St Lucia, QLD 4067 |
| Kalinga Park | 31 Kalinga Street, Clayfield, QLD 4011 |
| The Lake Parklands | Forest Lake Boulevard, Forest Lake, QLD 4078 |
| Lota Camping Reserve | 765 Esplanade, Lota QLD 4179 |
| Melrose Park | 76 Rose Street, Wooloowin, QLD 4030 |
| Minnippi Parklands | 276 Meadowlands Road, Carina, QLD 4152 |
| New Farm Park | 1042 Brunswick Street, New Farm, QLD 4005 |
| Pallara District Park | Corner of Brookbent and Gooderham Roads, Pallara, QLD 4110 |
| Rocks Riverside Park | 531 Seventeen Mile Rocks Road, Seventeen Mile Rocks, QLD 4073 |
| Timberland Park | 37 Cupania Street, Algester, QLD 4115 |
Leisure and family rides
Ready to pedal? Try one of our child-friendly family rides. And remember, you can ride on the footpath in Queensland.