Can you ride the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) with young children? Absolutely!
We recently had a family take on the full 161 km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail with an 18-month-old and a 4-year-old — proving that you don't necessarily have to wait until the kids are older to enjoy a BVRT family cycling adventure.
For their trip, we supplied two e-bikes, with the right equipment to make the journey achievable for their young family.
One e-bike towed a bicycle trailer for the 18-month-old, while the other towed a tag-along bike for the 4-year-old.
What about bike seats for young children?
We regularly get asked about hiring bikes with child seats. For the BVRT, our answer is generally a firm No.
While much of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is family-friendly, it is still an adventure trail, with uneven sections and gullies where the risk of falling is greater. For very young children, we believe the trailer and tag-along setup used by this family provides a more suitable option than carrying a child in a bike seat.
The secret to riding the BVRT with kids?
Snacks. Lots of snacks!
And playgrounds.
The family took plenty of breaks along the way and made a point of stopping at the playgrounds in each town. Because let's face it, when you're riding with young children, the playground can be just as important as the destination!
They also stayed overnight in Moore and Esk, breaking the 161 km journey into manageable sections and giving everyone time to rest and recharge.
You don't have to ride the whole 161 km
While this family took on the full Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, you certainly don't need to commit to a multi-day adventure.
For families riding with young children, a shorter BVRT e-bike adventure from our Wulkuraka store, riding out and back at your own pace, can be a great way to start.
You can ride for as long as the kids are happy, stop for a picnic or playground break, and head back when everyone's had enough.
Ready for your own BVRT family adventure?
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is a fantastic way to explore the region by bike, and e-bikes make the experience much more achievable for families.
With the right equipment, some planning, plenty of snacks and a willingness to ride at the kids' pace, even a family with an 18-month-old and a 4-year-old can tackle the BVRT.
So, if you've been wondering:
“Can we really ride the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail with young children?”
The answer is yes!
Just pack the snacks, plan plenty of playground stops and hire the right equipment for your family.
Looking for Brisbane Valley Rail Trail bike hire or BVRT e-bike hire? Get in touch with us to find the best setup for your family adventure.
The first gully in Yarraman is always challenging!
