wellness
Cycling routes safe for families and beginners
New low-traffic paths along Geelong waterways give parents and children room to build confidence on two wheels.
How we reported this
Geelong families gained three kilometres of sealed cycling track this month when council crews completed the final link between the Barwon River trail at Belmont Common and the waterfront promenade at Western Beach.
Interest in outdoor activity has risen sharply since Barwon Health reported a 28 percent increase in local GP referrals for physical activity programs between January and June 2026. Parents cite traffic as the main barrier to letting children ride, and the new sections remove that obstacle by staying inside parkland and away from arterial roads.
Two routes that stay off busy streets
The Barwon River path starts at the Pakington Street footbridge and follows the east bank downstream through Rippleside Park before crossing to the waterfront at Eastern Beach rock pool. The surface is wide enough for side-by-side riding and has only one gentle slope near the old woolstores. A second loop begins at the Geelong Waterfront parkrun start line on Sunday mornings and circles the marina before returning via Moorabool Street car park, giving beginners a flat 4.2-kilometre circuit with multiple exit points back to cafes.
Both routes connect directly to the existing Barwon Health community bike library at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, where residents can borrow adult and child helmets free of charge with a library card.
Practical steps before heading out
Council traffic counts from March show weekday volumes on the river trail average 180 cyclists between 8 am and 10 am, well below road figures on Shannon Avenue. Riders are advised to start at the Belmont Common car park, where toilets and drinking fountains are located, and to finish before dusk because the path lighting ends at the Pakington Street bridge. Barwon Health runs a free monthly family skills session on the second Saturday at Eastern Beach, limited to 25 participants and booked through the health service website.
Check the City of Greater Geelong website for any temporary closures after heavy rain and carry a basic repair kit, especially on the longer river section where the nearest bike shop sits three kilometres away at the Geelong Market.