Kingston family-friendly spring bike ride

GIVE YOUR CYCLING CONFIDENCE A SPRING BOOST

Join Kingston Cycling Campaign and local friends on Sunday 8 March 2026 for a fun-filled ride through the borough – and beyond!

This family-friendly ride will start in Manor Park Recreation Ground and head out on a deliciously-flat 6.5 mile route designed with all ages and cycling abilities in mind. Taking in 4 different boroughs, we’ll swap Greater London for Surrey as we cross into Epsom & Ewell, before making our way through Sutton and Merton and back to Kingston.

Bikes have long been a symbol of freedom, so what better way to put an extra spring in your pedals and remember how fun riding a bike can be than helping challenge the stereotype of who cycles on International Women’s Day!

PLUS to inspire more people to use a bike for local journeys:

WHAT ARE FAMILY-FRIENDLY RIDES?

• If you’ve not been on one of our confidence-boosting rides before, you can read more about them and see our previous family-friendly routes here. You can also get a good feel of what to expect in this short highlights video from our fun June ride and this snapshot of our September event on Facebook.
• All participants need to be registered here to take part, so simply scroll to the bottom of this page and reserve your free spot now! (NB: book one space per rider so we know how many people to expect).
• Still not sure? Here are a few quotes from our previous rides!

What a brilliant event! Gave me the nudge I needed to get back on the bike after many years.

Being in a group makes such a difference and gives us the confidence to venture a bit further as a family.

The best thing about coming on these rides is being able to cycle with the family. We can’t wait for the next one!

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.

I have done three rides with you guys now and it has been a lifeline and a big opportunity for me. Thanks for having me and supporting me. 

GENERAL RIDE FAQS / INFORMATION:

• How easy is the ride? This will be a short, easy and enjoyable route, ridden at a leisurely group pace. Designed to be suitable for younger and less experienced cyclists, the circular route will be a very manageable and mainly flat.5 6 miles.
• Are children welcome? Accompanied children (under 18) and vulnerable adults with a carer are very welcome to join us. Whilst as much of the ride as possible is on quieter roads, it will include some roads that may have other traffic, so please keep on the right-hand side of your children.
• What ages is the ride suitable for? As the ride is not entirely on cycle lanes, it may not be suitable for very young children. We would recommend that any children under 5 riding solo (with a parent) are experienced cyclists.
• How can I build my bike skills before the ride? Kingston Council offers fully-subsidised Cycle Skills training for adults and families to help you gain confidence (more info here)
• What should I wear? Wear whatever you feel comfortable riding in, keeping an eye on the weather forecast to know whether to bring a waterproof jacket, sun tan lotion, etc. It’s your choice whether you would like to wear a bike helmet or high-vis clothing – we don’t insist on either to join the ride.
• Is my bike suitable? We test our rides with a range of bicycles, including cargo and Brompton bikes, to make it as inclusive as possible. If you’re unsure about the suitability or roadworthiness of your bike, there are a number of cycle repair shops across Kingston that can assist you, including Full Cycle who will be supporting the event. Before joining the ride, see lcc.org.uk/advice/bike-safety-check/
• What should I bring? Some of the basic equipment you may wish to consider bringing on the ride include lights, drinks and snacks, plus a bike lock if you plan to take advantage of the park or its new café after the ride. You might also want to bring a spare inner tube and/or a bike pump if you have one.
• How do group rides work? Our rides are always planned and led by a qualified ride leader, and accompanied by experienced marshals, with someone at the back to ensure no one gets left behind. They help keep the group together, where possible, so we can cross junctions safely with minimal disruption to fellow road users. Ride assistants are experienced Kingston Cycling Campaign members and include qualified mechanics, first aiders and cycling instructors.
• Will any photos be taken? This event will be photographed and images used afterwards to promote our charitable work. If you would like to opt-out of photos of you or your children, please speak to a member of the ride team (wearing a fluorescent tabard) on the day.
• How can I keep up momentum after the ride and keep building my cycle confidence? In addition to lots more regular FREE regular rides for all levels, Kingston Cycling Campaign offers cycling 1:1s to help you plot local routes and feel more confident about using a bike for short journeys, whether to work, shops or school via the LCC Cycle Buddies scheme. Lots more info here.
• What about local cycling information? We have lots of cycle-related information and links on kingstoncycling.org.uk/local-information/, from bike hire to cycle parking, inclusive cycling opportunities to bike-marking session and handy tools to help you plan your next cycle route. You can also find bike security advice here.
• Anything else? Follow us on Facebook, Bluesky and X/Twitter for more updates before the ride, and check the FAQ section below for more event info and tips.

INDIVIDUAL RIDERS MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR:

• Checking the information given for the ride so you can judge that you are capable of completing the ride, and carrying any refreshments or bike equipment you might need
• Listening to and following ride leader and marshal instructions, including informing the ride leader if you have any medical conditions it might be important we know about plus a marshal if you leave the ride midway (so we know not to look for you!)
• The road-worthiness of your bike. NB: See helpful advice on how to do this on lcc.org.uk/advice/bike-safety-check/
• Your own personal safety on the road, and the safety of any children or vulnerable adults with you, including complying with the Highway Code
• Any loss or damage caused (eg: scratching the paint on a parked car) NB: If you are an LCC member your membership includes third party insurance which would cover this.

If you have any other questions before the event or need to cancel your booking, contact the ride leader at rogerdodge59@gmail.com