Family Bike Rides on the North Shore
The North Shore has more easy, kid-friendly bike routes than most people realize — river trails, park loops, and a couple of proper adventures for older kids who've got their pedaling legs. These routes were put together by James Oborne, a North Shore dad who organizes family bike rides and knows this network better than anyone.
Distances and times below are relaxed family pace, not race pace — a few built-in stops (snack breaks are always a must!).
Family Bike Ride (Vic Park to Mahon Park)
2.39 km · 9 min · 30m up / 30m down
📍 [Starting point: Victoria Park]
https://www.komoot.com/tour/2968972393
The classic. This is the route for James's annual World Bicycle Day ride — around Vic Park and down to the waterpark at Mahon Park. Short enough that even a wobbly rider can finish strong, and it ends somewhere kids actually want to be.
Nearest playground: Mahon Park Playground and Spray Park
Sutherland to Seylynn
3.61 km · 15 min · 10m up / 130m down
📍 [Starting point: Sutherland Secondary School track, 1860 Sutherland Ave]
Temporary closure: The Crosscut bridge on this route is under construction until mid-August 2026 — check before you go if riding before then.
All downhill through Loutet Farm and along the Salop Trail. Easy and scenic on the way there — just remember the way back is all uphill, so plan accordingly if you're not doing a loop or a pickup.
Nearest playground: Bridgman Park
MEC to InterRiver Pump Track
2.74 km · 12 min · 30m up / 10m down
📍 [Starting point: MEC North Vancouver, 212 Brooksbank Ave]
Follows the Lynn River past Bridgman Park to the InterRiver pump track. A good pick if your kid is into bikes specifically — the pump track at the end is the reward.
Nearest playground: Digger Park
Canada Day Ride (Green Necklace, southeast leg)
5.60 km · 22 min · 50m up / 90m down
📍 [Starting point: Sutherland Secondary School track, 1860 Sutherland Ave]
The southeast leg of the Green Necklace, mostly downhill, finishing at Civic Plaza. A longer ride but the descent does most of the work.
Nearest playground: St. Andrew's
Harbourside to Lions Gate Village via Mackay Creek
5.82 km · 21 min · 30m up / 10m down
📍 [Starting point: Kings Mill Walk Park]
Follows the Spirit Trail with a spur up Mackay Creek, ending at Lions Gate Playground — a natural stopping point to let the kids burn off the last of their energy.
Nearest playground: Belle Isle
Demo Forest
11.3 km · 42 min · 130m up / 110m down
📍 [Starting point: Seymour Demonstration Forest Paved Bike Path]
Longer and hillier than the rest — a gravel-or-paved option exists depending on your kid's tires and confidence. Best suited to older kids with some distance under their belt.
Fisherman's Trail to Spur 4
8.14 km · 52 min · 130m up / 60m down
📍 [Starting point: Fisherman's Trail, 2430 Riverside Dr]
Double-track gravel, mostly at river grade with a couple of moderate climbs. Another one for kids who can handle real distance.
Mosquito Creek — Uphill Only
2.70 km · 17 min · 70m up / 0m down
📍 [Starting point: Mosquito Creek Trail, 1615 Fell Ave]
A short, uphill-only ride on the Mosquito Creek Trail — no downhill allowed on this one, so it's a there-and-back-the-way-you-came, or a one-way with a pickup at the top.
Nearest playground: Mosquito Creek Park Playground
Ride with other North Shore families
These routes were shared by James Oborne, who organizes group family bike rides on the North Shore throughout the year. If you'd like to join a ride, meet other biking families, or find out what's coming up next, connect through his WhatsApp group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/DAakjWfAE2HF5naXgazBlC?s=cl&p=i&ilr=4&amv=1
Got a favourite North Shore bike route we haven't covered yet?
Email us at hello@northshorekids.ca