Here in Brisbane we’re luckier than most when it comes to lock-down activities. We’re still allowed (and importantly – safe) to enjoy our local parks and bikeways. And we have been doing just that, with Council recording a 17% rise in foot and bike traffic along its popular river walks. No bike? No problem. Join (figuratively of course) 800 riders per day using city cycles to take in the city.
There’s something for everyone – easy riders, sightseers, families, scenery-seekers, mountain-climbers and commuters. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist who regularly slips on the lycra or want to find out why so many people are taking to two wheels to explore our beautiful city, Brisbane City Council has shared a list of the best Brisbane bike rides to try.
On your Bike!
Best bike ride for beginners – The Kangaroo Point Bikeway
Want a leisurely and safe ride that isn’t too difficult, but gives you plenty of sights along the way? Then, Kangaroo Point bikeway might just be the ride for you.
Beginning at Captain Burke Park, beneath the Story Bridge, this stress-free stretch connects to the Woolloongabba Bikeway and the Brisbane CBD with more than 3km of scenic riverside riding.
Peddle past the cafes, restaurants and leafy parklands at South Bank or stop in for a coffee and a snack. Or head towards West End via the new Riverside Drive bikeway, where you’ll be treated to plenty more river views and shady greenspaces.
On this ride, there are no cars to contend with, lots of scenic stops, and it’s nice and flat for anyone who’s worried about fitness. All you need to do is choose your distance and pace. You don’t even need your own bike! Take a CityCycle, available for hire all along the way.
Best riverside rides – Brisbane River Loop and Bicentennial Bikeway
If you’re having trouble deciding between which river ride to do, why not combine them and have a crack at the Brisbane River loop?
This is a real enthusiasts’ ride, combining about 40 kms of bikeways and on-road riding through some of Brisbane’s busiest and most popular precincts. This rides takes in South Brisbane, Brisbane City, Milton, Toowong, St Lucia and West End.
This ride is hands-down Brisbane’s most popular loop for bike riders with a bit more experience. Expect plenty of choice for coffee stops on the way!
More than a million trips were taken on the Bicentennial bikeway in 2019 and it’s easy to see why. The popular bikeway has multiple entrances from the Goodwill Bridge to Toowong and is a great way to access the inner west and CBD for work or just exploring on a day out.
The bike ‘superhighway’ begins at the foot of the Goodwill Bridge, offering an easy roll to South Bank and the City Botanic Gardens, before it reaches the hustle and bustle of Queen Street at the Victoria bridge.
If you’re not commuting from the westside though, don’t worry, we’ve also got the Northside bikeway, the Veloway 1 in the south, linking the suburbs to the city centre.
Most scenic bike ride – City Botanic Gardens Riverwalk
For a peaceful ride through the City Botanic Gardens, try out the new Riverwalk, beginning at the City Reach Boardwalk near Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge.
Cruise along the busy riverfront precinct filled with bars and restaurants, before you arrive at the at the corner of Alice Street and Edward Street where the new Riverwalk takes you across the water and into the City Botanic Gardens.
This bike ride is a must for anyone wanting to see the views of the city and the beauty of our subtropical Botanic Gardens.
Best for families – Kedron Brook and Brisbane River at Hamilton
Time to get the kids out for a ride and test their endless pedal-power? Here are two great family-friendly rides for you to try.
Don’t miss the flat, wide, traffic-free Kedron Brook Bikeway, which links Everton Park, Stafford, Grange, Gordon Park, Lutwyche and Kedron. It’s fun for a short pedal about the suburbs as well as the bigger 19 kms to Sandgate, with a mixture of safe off-road shared pathways and separated bikeways.
Another great option is the new Lores Bonney Riverwalk, reaching along the river from Bretts Wharf to Cameron Rocks. Named after Brisbane’s aviation pioneer Maude ‘Lores’ Bonney, this 1.2km cycle path has dedicated lanes for two-way bike traffic. The modern design means kids will have fewer obstacles to as they learn to wrangle the handlebars along the way!
For natural thrills – Mt Coot-tha Loop
There is plenty to see and do in the Mt Coot-tha precinct and exploring it by bike is just one of many ways that riders can enjoy the brilliant views of Brisbane.
This is a ride for those who aren’t afraid of a hill climb, and who want a bit of nature along the way. The loop is around 12 kms, starting at the base of Mt Coot-tha on Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, and once you reach the top of this heart-pumping ride, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views from the summit lookout.
If you’re looking for a moderate challenge, ride the loop in a clockwise direction and enjoy the thrill of the steeper downhill zoom. Or if you really want a challenge, ride in an anti-clockwise direction for a leg-burning mountain ascent.
While you’re in the area, make sure to check out the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, or take it off-road on one of the many mountain biking trails and really enjoy the exhilaration of being outdoors.
Best bike ride for students – Woolloongabba Bikeway
Travelling to the University of Queensland has never been easier for students. Students can now load up their books and hop on their own bike or a CityCycle to make use of the brand-new Woolloongabba Bikeway.
Whether you’re heading to uni across the Eleanor Schonell Bridge or further downstream to Howard Smith Wharves, the Woolloongabba Bikeway also provides convenient access to the Gabba stadium, Mater Hospital, Queensland Children’s Hospital, South Bank and the city centre, making it a very popular route.
Need more info before you hit the city’s bikeways? Check out Cycling Brisbane’s route planner, a handy interactive map of Brisbane’s bikeway network. The route planner displays the locations of bike parking, drinking fountains, CityCycle stations with bike availability, and more.
Don’t forget that social distancing rules still apply while biking.
After your ride why not fuel up on fresh Scenic Rim produce? Or, if you’re not heading out, catch up on more Brisbane good news here.
