Riding with kids

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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
Perrin Park Josling Street, Toowong, QLD 4066 
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.

Quick links

14 September 2020