If your child has learned to cycle and you are looking for nice, easy places to practice those pedal skills locally in Bristol, and eventually some family bike rides, read on. We will take you through the best places for kids and families to ride bikes in Bristol.
Places to start out and practice cycling in Bristol
Bristol Family Cycling Centre, Hengrove
This has to be number one on the list. This is a perfect place for kids to learn to cycle!
A disused athletic track converted into a friendly cycle centre with helpful staff on hand to lend bikes, give tips and set challenges to help develop your child’s skills (or your own skills for that matter, as the centre will get absolutely anyone cycling, adults included, and also runs a variety of sessions for those with disabilities).
Road to Nowhere, Yate
The so-called ‘Road to Nowhere’ is a strip of tarmac 400 metres long that was intended to be a highway, started in the 1970s and never finished. Although many locals bemoan that this shows a woeful lack of investment into local infrastructure, the upside for kiddies of the area is that it makes a perfect place to practice cycling.
Note the road, which is part of Yate Common, is also often used for filming TV shows. It is free to access, except for when filming is taking place.
Best Bristol Parks for Cycling around the city
Plenty of the city’s parks have nice wide paths suitable for bikes, with the added bonus of play parks as well. Here are some that we find particularly good for cycling.
Canford Park, Westbury on Trym
This is famously good for cycling as it has a wide, flat, circular 1 km track.
Page Park, Staple Hill
This park has paths that are ideal for kids starting out on two wheels and is a lovely park in general with bandstand, sensory garden and cafe.
Greville Smyth Park, Ashton Gate
This park has plenty of paths to loop around. Mainly flat but with a few light ups and downs, this park is also very close to the Cumberland Basin pump track for the more daring tot.
St George Park
St George is a lovely large Victorian park which contains 2k and 5k family friendly cycle routes as well as an extensive concrete skate park with bowls and hipa where local kids can practice their BMX skills.
It also has a beautiful lake where little ones can feed the ducks when they want a break from pedalling!
Millennium Park, Nailsea
This park in Nailsea has lots of good paths and also has a skate park to practice tricks on the BMX (or skateboard or scooter)
The Wave
A slightly off the wall suggestion as when you think of The Wave you naturally think of watersports rather than wheels, but there is a long flat path to get down to the water and this is perfect for cycling. Team your cycle with a chance to watch the surfers and have a hot chocolate and the kids will love it.
Severn Beach promenade
Heading north towards the M4, following the path towards the second severn crossing this is a nice easy traffic free route. It is fun for kids to pass under the bridge as well as get some “sea air”.
Once your child has had some practice and wants to try something more daring, check out these pump tracks:
Brunel Way Pump Track
Under the Cumberland Basin, near to the city centre and with views of the harbourside, there is a substantial pump track with plenty of jumps and curves for beginners or more established riders.
Arnos Court Pump and Jump Track
The track at Arno’s Court Park contains rollers, small jumps, doubles and berms.
Hengrove BMX and Skate Park
This concrete park made up of street and transition elements is split into two main sections containing something for everyone of all abilities.
L-Dub BMX track, Lawrence Weston
This is a community run BMX club and the following skate park options are also worth a look
- Stockwood Bike Track
- Hillfields Pump Track
- Eastville Park Track
- Dean Lane Skate Park
Best Places for Family bike rides in Bristol and further afield
Cheddar reservoir
A 2.2 mile flat loop around the reservoir is an ideal first family bike ride.
Strawberry line, Yatton
This is a famous 10.7 mile, mainly traffic free, route from Yatton to Cheddar. If the whole route is too long for your kids, you can also do a shortened version to Sandford Orchards at around the half way point. The orchards are home to Thatchers Cider Company and a pub, the Railway Inn, that makes a great lunch stop.
Festival way
The is a just-under 10 mile route connecting Bristol city centre to Nailsea in North Somerset, mostly traffic free. Taking in the harbourside and Ashton Court there is lots to see along the route.
Harbourside
If the Festival Way sounds a bit tough, you could stick to a simple loop of the harbourside.
Ashton court
Ashton Court also has plenty of space to practice cycling along the paths or on the more daring BMX trails.
Weston super mare promenade
The prom is a 1.4 mile flat path along the seafront which makes a nice simple cycle.
Brean down cycle path
8 mile cycling route between Weston and Brean Down over the River Axe.
Bristol and bath cycle path
Probably the most famous cycling route in the area this popular 13 mile route is 3 meter wide and tarmacked. Plenty of places to stop along the way and chances to see wildlife.
Bittern trail
The Bittern Trail is a new flat and fully surfaced family friendly cycle trail in Somerset. Four miles along a traffic free route from the town of Glastonbury to the Avalon Marshes Centre will take you through the Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath nature reserves and plenty of wildlife.
The end destination of the Avalon marshes Centre is a nice place to stop off with a cafe, local information and a nice little shop local arts and crafts.
3 Brooks Nature Reserve Bradley Stoke
In the middle of the busy residential area of Bradley Stoke there is a lovely peaceful nature reserve with fabulous bluebell woods and wildlife, along with family friendly and we’ll signposted cycle paths. Park at the Bradley Stoke leisure centre for access to the nature reserve.
Peregrine path Monmouth
The Peregrine Path is a 7.5 mile route, starting at the historic town of Monmouth. It is mainly traffic-free though there are some on road sections. It crosses the border between England and Wales which can make it extra exciting for kids. It’s ideal There’s lots to see along this route as it follows the River Wye. On the route you will find a popular picnic area, The Kymin, which boasts fantastic panoramic views across Wales.
Wye valley Greenway Tintern to Chepstow
Following a former railway route I to the Wye valley this 5 mile long route includes a “floral mile” and passes through the 1 km long Tidenham tunnel, famous for its bat population.
The tunnel is only open April to September for bat protection reasons, but the rest of the route is open year round. Cycle hire is available.
More Cycling and Bike Riding for Kids and Families
You might also like these cycling articles here on In The Playroom
- Sizing Chart for Kids Bikes
- How to get your 3 year old confidently riding a bike… With no stabilisers!
- How Cold is Too Cold for a Bike Ride?
- Best Mountain Bike Trails – 8 Trails You Didn’t Know About
- Things Parents Learn While Teaching Their Kids to Ride Bikes
More Fun Family Days out in Bristol
- The 5 Best Pumpkin Picking Locations in Bristol
- Christmas Activities in Bristol
- Five activities in Bristol and Cardiff the whole family will love
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We hope these suggestions for the best places for kids and family bike rides in Bristol helped you out when planning where to ride bikes with the family in Bristol.
Please share this post with other local parents and families, so that everyone can enjoy these easy family friendly bike routes.
Happy riding!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
Currently thinking about biking with my children. Thank you for sharing these brilliant places.