A guide to Brisbane's best bike rides

Mother and son riding on Norman Creek Bikeway

Whether you've dusted off your bike to get around, or you're pedalling more for fitness, it's great to see so many Brisbanites making the most of our bike paths and local rides.

To help you take your riding adventures to the next gear, we've compiled a list of the best Brisbane bike rides and paths to try. There's something for everyone - easy riders, sightseers, families, scenery-seekers, mountain-climbers and more.

Best bike ride for beginners - 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 be just the ride for you.

Beginning at Captain Burke Park, beneath the Story Bridge, this stress-free stretch connects to the Woolloongabba Bikeway and the CBD with more than three kilometres of scenic riverside riding.

If you're really loving the experience, keep on pedalling past the leafy South Bank Parklands towards West End (via the 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 their current fitness. All you need to do is choose your distance and pace. You don't even need your own bike! E-bikes are available for hire across the CBD. Just download the Neuron or Beam app and register your details.

Best riverside rides - Indooroopilly Riverwalk and Lores Bonney Riverwalk

If you're looking to stay out of the hustle and bustle of the inner city, why not opt for the Indooroopilly Riverwalk or Lores Bonney Riverwalk.

Indooroopilly Riverwalk is the new kid on the block among Brisbane's many riverside jaunts. The 790-metre stretch is a separated two-way path that makes the most of the leafy, quiet river outlook. For a longer ride, continue on to the University of Queensland and see the best of the west!

The Lores Bonney Riverwalk reaches along the river from Portside Hamilton to Cameron Rocks Reserve near Breakfast Creek. Named after Brisbane's aviation pioneer, Maude 'Lores' Bonney, this 1.2-kilometre bike path has dedicated space for two-way bike traffic, meaning the kids will have fewer obstacles as they learn to wrangle their handlebars.

Best suburban seaside rides - Sandgate and Wynnum foreshores

Whether you're team north or south, take a city break and ride along some of the best coastlines Brisbane has to offer. With water play areas, greenspace, markets and cafes aplenty, these two spots make a great day out.

The 10-kilometre stretches of foreshore from Wynnum to Lota or along Sandgate both provide spectacular views of Moreton Bay. Great for families, these tracks are also popular with seasoned riders, with options for on-road or shared pathways.

Press pause on the pedalling and pick up locally made gifts, fresh produce or international foodie treats at the Jan Powers Farmers Markets in Manly on Saturdays, or enjoy a fish and chip lunch at one of the many beachfront cafes along the stretch.

Up in Sandgate, make a date of it and cruise along Lover's Walk with a special someone, taking in the pretty view of the bay, the public art dotting the trail, or stop off for a romantic picnic along the way.

Most popular bike ride - Brisbane River Loop

Fancy yourself a bike enthusiast? Have a crack at the Brisbane River Loop. This is a real enthusiast's ride, combining about 40 kilometres of bikeways and on-road riding through some of Brisbane's busiest and most popular precincts, including 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 along the way!

Best bike rides for getting around the CBD - Bicentennial Bikeway and CityLink Cycleway

This popular bikeway has multiple entrances from the Goodwill Bridge to Toowong and is a great way to access the inner west and Brisbane's CBD for work, or just exploring on a day out. The bike 'superhighway' begins at the foot of the Goodwill Bridge, offering a flat and traffic-free ride along the river's edge to Toowong with direct connections to the Queen Street Mall, Milton and Toowong.

If you're looking to make a trip through the CBD, you can now do so using the CityLink Cycleway - a two-kilometre network of dedicated bikeways designed to encourage sustainable, active travelling through the city centre. With connections to South Bank, City Botanic Gardens and other major bikeways around the city, it's never been easier to get from A to B.

Want more help and ideas?

Can't quite figure out where to ride? Map out your ride with Cycling Brisbane's online bikeway map.