Would you believe this is our most popular topic. Of. All. Time?
That’s right. Where to ride with kids is bigger than Liberate the Lane, more popular than Tāmaki Drive, more sought after than even ‘how to get to the pink Lightpath’. This tells us that your greatest wish is that your kids can experience the joy of riding a bike.
We love knowing this! It boosts our energy as the non-profit working for a more bike-friendly region for all Aucklanders. We want a future in which everyone who wants to ride a bike in Auckland, can – to school, to work, to the dairy, to the shops, to a friend’s house.
We welcome your support – come along to our events, speak up for better bikeable streets, sign up to our newsletter, share the word.
Check out our Rides for Beginners for in-depth reviews of some of the best rides around the region. Or read on for a summary of kid-friendly options!
Know of other little-kid-friendly rides that we should write about? Spotted something that needs updating? Got some bonus tips about snacks and facilities? Tell us more! PS If your kid really, really, loves their bike, they may love one of these.
Where in Auckland can you take kids who are still learning to ride a bike?
Aaah, school holidays! The perfect time for fresh air and a family bike ride. But where to take little children to spin their wheels and get their wiggles out, especially if they’re still getting the hang of riding in a straight line?
It might seem paradoxical, but for starters, take them to school, if you’re lucky enough to have a local school that leaves its gates open for visitors. What a treat to have all those lovely smooth sports courts to sail around without bumping into anyone!
Here are a few school paths you can try:
- Edmonton School Path
- Glenfield Intermediate School Path
- Glenavon School Path
- Hobsonville Primary Path
- Huapai School Path
- Konini School Path
Local parks often have wide, welcoming pathways that small riders can trundle along to their heart’s content.
There are also dedicated “learn to ride” tracks in playgrounds and reserves, aimed at junior riders.
Here’s a starter list – tell us about others you’ve seen.
Learn to Ride tracks and safe easy rides for kids
North Shore Learn to Ride Tracks and rides for kids
Onepoto Reserve is a longtime favourite. Check out Bike Friendly North Shore’s great write-up with photos from a few years ago. The park is huge and grassy, and has a playground within view of its learn-to-ride track. Handy when you’re juggling kids with competing interests. There’s also a boardwalk, which offers a nice change of scenery when you’re done with the playground and the bike track.
Normanton Reserve in Glenfield is not as well known as Onepoto but well worth checking out. It has a nice big playground that the ride track loops around; a smaller loop inside a larger loop. Parents should pick up coffee en route as it is set in a residential neighbourhood tucked behind Wairau Valley. It does have a public toilet on site.
We’re also hearing good things about the Greville Reserve. It has a bike track painted on top of the concrete reservoir.
West Auckland Learn to Ride Tracks and safe easy rides for kids
Avondale has a learn-to-ride track tucked in behind the Great North Road shops next to the racecourse. This one has a lovely urban community feel and a really social vibe. Because it’s quite compact, kids have more contact with each other as they weave around the little “roads”.
There’s a playground nearby (although a bit too distant to keep an eye on one kid on a bike and another on the slide). Good coffee access though, and a handy public toilet just up on the street. There’s also a public library nearby, and plenty of food options on the main street. Bonus: easily reached by train, for the junior transport enthusiast!
Have you visited Hobsonville Point yet? You can get there by ferry and bring your bikes to explore the burgeoning community. The streets, by design, are quiet and safe for bikes. There’s a fantastic playground a short walk from the Catalina Cafe, as well as some nice paved paths that let you explore the green spaces. There’s also a weekend farmers market.
Over in Henderson, Parrs Park has nice flat tracks around the park, plus an epic playground. You can also visit Twin Streams on the other side of Seymour Road.
Luckens Reserve in West Harbour has a smooth flat path which is ideal for learning to ride a bike. There’s also a basketball court, skate park and playground.
Central Auckland Learn to Ride Tracks
Potters Park has a small children’s learn-to-ride cycle track, alongside its playground, summer splash pad, and basketball courts.
Tole Reserve in Ponsonby has a teensy-tiny freshly painted ride track for really small riders and scooters. The adjacent playground has been spruced up. It even has a wee free library for parents to browse (bring a book, take a book). There’s a long smooth path through the park and a natural amphitheatre to play in. Toilets are accessible at the Ponsonby Community Centre on Ponsonby Terrace, which backs onto the park. (There’s also a gnarly vintage skatebowl. Fun to watch teenagers doing skateboard and BMX tricks, but the bowl itself is not for the fainthearted!)
Cornwall Park, up by the cafe, is great. It has natural loops around the garden (which kids love) and coffee & tea (which parents love).
Western Springs offers a scenic loop around the lake. It’s the perfect addition (or alternative!) to a day at MOTAT or Auckland Zoo. The lake is home to all sorts of birdlife, and writhing tangles of eels. The zoo end of the park has a great playground, public toilets, and flock of wild chickens to delight younger visitors. Plus you’re close enough to hear the lions roaring. And the MOTAT end of the park features a rocky outcrop just made for climbing. BYO picnic, or buy snacks and coffee at the cafe at the zoo entrance.
Glover Park in St Heliers has a short, accessible loop path which is perfect for learning to ride a bike. There’s also a playground and toilet here.
Little Rangitoto Reserve in Remuera has a bikeable track next to a playground, and a skatebowl as well.
The excellent Madills Farm Reserve in Kohimarama has a smooth flat path which is great for learning to ride a bike. The reserve also boasts a fenced playground with plenty to entertain little children.
Heron Park in Waterview has a couple of shorter loops that are ideal for practising riding a bike.
Turner Reserve in Mt Roskill has a learn to ride track, described as ‘a fun space with a few bumps in the path. It is ideal for children building their confidence on bikes, balance bikes and scooters.”
South Auckland Learn to Ride Tracks
Big thank you to Joe Viqasi for these suggestions.
Wattle Downs shared path is situated in a quiet residential area. Its views of the Manukau harbour, green space and playgrounds make it an ideal picnic destination. There are enough pathways to keep the kids riding.
Pukekohe: Samuel Miller Reserve. The bike track has built-in road signs, and a mock roundabout. Take care on the hills, as you can get kids on balance bikes flying down at speed. A great playground.
Papakura: Bruce Pulman Sports Park. A popular spot for locals. This park may not be suitable for the very young. The large carparks and wide drives are ideal for children who are more confident and have learned some road biking skills. It does have a few shared paths along the edges. It contains a little pond and some seating areas for picnic. Be careful of the cars attending sports matches. They can cut through driveways and car parks where you may be riding.
East Auckland Learn to Ride Tracks
Beachlands: Te Puru Park. The outdoor hub and local sports focus of the Beachlands community. The pathways are vast and sweeping across the beach, and connect well to the shore and up along the hill. The hills can be challenging for the very small kids but once they get up they will be enjoying the ride down. An enjoyable ride that connects through to Omana Camping ground reserve and the ever popular Maraetai beach with a great shared path.
Botany Downs: Barry Curtis Park. A real gem in the east/south area for family cycling, this park is larger than the Auckland Domain! The pathways lead through the park and there are a few options to take with either a nice paved surface or a dirt track. The family will love looping around, with planting and small ponds to explore. The track extends across under the bridge to connect to the skate park and basketball courts, so don’t worry about entertaining the teenagers as there is plenty to do for all ages. There is a large and popular playground, and public toilets. Parking can be at a premium on busy weekend days.
Pakuranga: Cascades shared path. This park could easily be called the ‘spaghetti junction’ of shared paths but it is worth the visit. Be sure to take a cycle map with you, as you can get lost on the almost 10km of shared path, which now extends up to Botany’s Te Irirangi Drive. You will find playgrounds, tunnels and more, so take a picnic and a soccer ball. You can start at many points so this ride is worth the repeat visit to explore every nook and cranny.
Farm Cove: Rotary Pathway. The best place to start riding this long track is down near the boat club. This is because it is near the famous ‘Snake’ playground. A real treat for the kids, and something distinctive to the park. The pathway winds in and out along the shore, and is shared with walkers, so be sure to have those bells ready to ring, and keep a close eye on the small ones. The path is usually drenched in sun but the sea breeze can sometimes make riding a challenge. A great path that can link you all the way from Half Moon Bay to the Panmure Basin, both great picnic spots.
There, that’s a start. Know of other little-kid-friendly rides that we should write about? Got some bonus tips about snacks and facilities? Tell us more!
PS if it’s more challenging rides for bigger kids you’re after, watch this space.
