Easy routes to boost your cycling confidence

We’re on a mission to help residents of all ages and abilities feel more confident using a bike for local journeys. Which is why in summer 2023 we launched a new series of confidence-building, family-friendly group bike rides through the borough, with kids welcome but definitely not essential! 

Held 3 to 4 times a year, and with an emphasis on FUN, each ‘park and ride’ event starts at a different local green space to showcase cycle-friendly routes across different parts of Kingston. Every ride is escorted by marshals, first aiders and bike mechanics to keep participants safe and show everyone the way. Our routes are also carefully designed with all ages, experience levels and bikes in mind, using cycle lanes, traffic-free routes and quiet roads as much as possible. 

Explore Kingston at leisure on these easy routes

Whether you’ve been on a ride with us before and are keen to do the route again, want to discover new parts of the borough, or simply want to remember quite how fun cycling is, you can find all our previous local family ride routes below.

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FUN RIDE #1: Starting from Fairfield Recreation Ground (Kingston) this 7.5 mile route heads along the river towards Surbiton, cutting across to Berrylands and nipping into North Kingston before returning to the park. There is also a shorter loop option, leaving out the N.Kingston extension. Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2186208

FUN RIDE #2: From Kingston Road Recreation Ground (Norbiton), this 5.5 mile route takes advantage of the fantastic traffic-free Beeline Way to reach Raynes Park before returning to the park via New Malden’s golf course. Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2285925

FUN RIDE #3: From Alexandra Park (Berrylands), this scenic hill-free 7-mile loop ventures into Tolworth and Old Malden. Along the way, you’ll explore unexpected rural delights, including Tolworth Court Farm Fields and Berrylands Nature Reserve. Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2391953

FUN RIDE #4: Starting at Victoria Road Recreation Ground (Surbiton) this 6-mile ride heads out along quiet roads and traffic-free routes in Surbiton, Long Ditton and Berrylands. Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2497588

FUN RIDE #5: From Canbury Gardens (N. Kingston) this gentle 6-mile ride takes you along quiet roads and traffic-free routes in North Kingston, venturing into Richmond Park and past Ham House to enjoy some of the greenest corners of our community. Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2614506

FUN RIDE #6: Leaving Claremont Gardens (Surbiton), you’ll head through Central Kingston to North Kingston on a pretty 6.5 mile flat ride, returning via the river. Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2701580

FUN RIDE #7: From Green Lane Recreation Ground (Berrylands), this 6.5 mile route takes you to New Malden and back via the traffic-free Beeline Way and Malden Golf Course. Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2773501

FUN RIDE #8: Starting from Fishponds Park (Surbiton), this 6.5 mile route takes you through Surbiton’s back streets, along the river and back via Berrylands. Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2914006

FUN RIDE #9: Starting from Fairfield (Kingston), this easy 6-mile route takes in cycle-friendly routes along the river, through Surbiton and back via Berrylands. Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3022450

Quotes from previous rides

• “What a brilliant event this was! Gave me the nudge I needed to get back on the bike after many years.”
• “I never imagined my five-year old would be able to manage this type of distance. But he loved it! The regular pauses and nice, slow pace made it a fun morning and has opened the doors for us to do even more bike outings as a family.”
• “Another fabulous ride showing me new places to explore. I think I smiled the whole way round!”
• “Enjoyed the family friendly bike ride this morning – discovered some quiet roads I didn’t know, and what a great turn out.”
• “Being in a group makes such a difference and gives us the confidence to venture a bit further as a family.”
• “That was absolutely amazing – me and my children really enjoyed it. I’m relatively confident on route but being in a group makes such a difference – these rides are really fantastic at getting them out with their mates. Builds their confidence so much – he was talking about the last one for weeks afterwards.”
• “Great ride! The third one we’ve been on – so good for building confidence for the kids.”
• “I loved it! I love cycling on the road like my dad does but my parents don’t like it because of the cars so this was just great and I made new friends too.” (child, aged 8)
• “Publicly popularising pedalling can only help our bodies, our NHS and our air.”