I developed a love of bikes in my youth, and continue to enjoy social bunch rides, week-long charity rides, very infrequent racing, watching as much pro cycling as I can, and passing the love of cycling and being in the outdoors to my children.
This is a website to share the riding that is possible in Sydney with kids. The hope being to spread the joy of cycling as a family to as many people as possible.
All of these rides have been ridden with children of primary school age (6,8 and 10 years old) and an adult.
For those that love water views, these rides have a focus on Sydney Waterways – the Harbour and Parramatta River, the Northern Beaches, Eastern Beaches, Botany Bay, Cronulla, lakeways, and rivers.
My kids and I believe it’s about the journey, rather than the destination. Each of these rides has amazing, even world-class views, great playgrounds, and places to eat and relax. Take your time and have a great family adventure.
It’s worth noting that for a number of these rides it was safest for us as a family to ride on a footpath (where there was no bike path or the roads were not quiet). It is illegal in New South Wales to ride on the footpath unless it is children under the age of 16 and those supervising them (see this article from Bicycle NSW).
Each ride has a link to a Strava route (eg: https://www.strava.com/routes/2773423795673747534). We follow the Strava route for each of the first couple of times we do the ride.
How to get the most out of the routes:
- Sign up to www.strava.com
- Purchase yourself a Quadlock case and mount (or similar) for your bike handlebars.
- From this website, find the ride you want to do.
- Click on the “Strava route” link in that ride.
- The ride route SHOULD pop up in your smart phone.
- You have two options from there:
- Option 1:
- Click on “download” on the top right of the screen, this will take you to a useable Strava route.
- Click on “Use Route”, then “start” and follow your blue location dot along the blue line of the route.
- Option 2:
- Scroll down and click on “use route”.
- Then in the next page click on “use route” again, and follow your blue dot along the blue line.
- Option 1:
Take your time and enjoy the ride, the playgrounds and the views, and most importantly, great family bonding.
This is a website to share the riding that is possible in Sydney with kids. The hope being to spread the joy of cycling as a family to as many people as possible.
Other websites with content by Lachlan Soper:
Dr. Lachlan Soper Social Media Profiles
The information provided on this website is for information purposes only and it may not be complete. No responsibility is accepted for any liability, loss or risk which is incurred as a consequence of the use of any of the material or links on this website. We are not responsible for any road / path blockages or changes. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure their bikes are in good working condition and to assess their child/children’s abilities according to their age, strength and fitness and to select a route that is at their level and where they can be safely supervised. It is wise for parents to start off with shorter, easier rides and check in regularly with the child/children for safety and be alert for any signs of dehydration, sunburn, fatigue or weather impacts. Links to external websites do not constitute endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation. Nothing on this website is commercialised or paid advertising. Opinions are entirely my own.
-Lachlan Soper