Cycling with Children in Porirua
This page describes the various locations where it is safe to take children cycling in Porirua City.
Porirua Pathfinder
You can find any track using our Porirua Pathfinder application, an interactive mapping system showing the walkways and cycleways in Porirua City built by Explorer Graphics Ltd of Whitby as part of the Porirua City Partner programme. You can see all our tracks, and view information about them.
Porirua has suitable biking tracks for children
Teaching a child to ride a bike and going on a family cycle ride are rewarding experiences. Porirua is lucky to have a number of traffic free cycle paths that are reasonably flat and attractive routes for cycling with children. These include Aotea Lagoon, Ara Harakeke Pathway, Bothamley Pathway and Whitby Walkway. Click on the title below to view comprehensive information and printable maps of each location.
A popular place with its flat, wide and sealed pathway around the lagoon to take the children to ride about on their trikes and then visit the playground afterwards.
This image shows a family cycling on the Ara Harakeke Pathway at Plimmerton.
This pathway is traffic free, with flat sections found between:
- North of Ngatitoa Domain to South Beach Road, Plimmerton;
- Between Ulric Street, Plimmerton and Airlie Road, at Whenua Tapu.
The section of track north of Airlie Road is traffic free, but slopes up to Pukerua Bay, so is better for children with intermediate cycle skills.
A playground is located at the north end of Ngatitoa Domain.
An off-road ride but with gentle gradients and a wide track.
Whitby Walkway is traffic free from Leeward Drive to Discovery Drive. There is a playground located near Discovery Drive end.
Check out these routes on the Walking and Cycling Tracks map.
Buying your child a bike
It is better to buy the right size bicycle rather than one which your child will grow into. An oversized cycle will be dangerous and harder for your child to ride.
Use approved helmets
A helmet can provide vital protection for your child if fitted correctly. Ask your bike shop to show you how to ensure your child wears their helmet correctly. If the helmet is damaged or involved in a fall replace it.