It’s a family affair for ANZA Cycling

Abe cycling with his son Max

For many ANZA Cycling members, riding starts out simply enough. Maybe they opt for an early-morning escape before the day kicks off, use the bike as a way to stay fit, or get on the saddle to catch up with mates while looping Singapore. For some members, the rides don’t stop when the club sessions end. Indeed, for many ANZA Cycling members, riding has found its way into family life, not as a goal or a programme, but because it’s a fantastic way to spend time together.

Frank and Abe are two such members. Both great mates, they ride regularly with the club, but also ride in different ways and at different times with their children, Casper, Max, and Alexia. It’s a brilliant opportunity to get a bit of shared time with the kids, plus a chance to hang out.

Riding slows down

Family rides look nothing like ANZA’s club rides, and that’s the whole point. They’re relaxed, loosely organised, with routes chosen for safety, scenery and, crucially, somewhere that sells pastries. Along the way, they might explore a new route or show off a new cycling trick. Stops happen often, and snacks are essential! For kids, riding feels like an adventure. For parents, it can also double up as a reset. The pace of riding slows right down, and it’s amazing how familiar paths feel different when you’re with a child who’s seeing them with fresh eyes.

“You pick a starting point, head out, see how it feels, and turn back when it’s enough,” Abe says.

Without a strict training plan or finish line, family rides are about time without alarms, targets, or schedules. Their kids chat as they go, and while parents join in, they travel at half the speed and with a lot more laughter. Along the way, children pick up basic road sense, how to ride around others, and essentials such as when to stop, start, and signal, without even realising it. More than anything, they see cycling as enjoyable, not a chore or a competition, but something adults choose to do because they genuinely like it.

Right: Caspar and Max’s two-wheel adventures

Change shape

Of course, ANZA Cycling’s friendly, easygoing culture plays a role in cultivating the same vibe for family rides. For many members, connections stay firmly within the club. For others, like Frank and Abe, their friendship extends into coffees, beers, and bringing their families together.

Heading out doesn’t replace club riding, or happen every week, but when it does, it’s a reminder that cycling can change shape.

“You don’t have to give anything up,” Frank says. “You just ride differently.” This adaptability is part of what makes cycling such a great lifelong activity. It can be fast or slow, social or solo, structured or spontaneous. Cycling with family proves that sometimes the best bike rides aren’t the longest or the hardest. They’re the ones where the pace eases, and cycling becomes a breezy, joyful way to hang out.

On the road in Rottnest

The Brauer family on Rottnest Island

Travelling with bikes, or hiring them on arrival, can be a great way to explore new places with children. The key is choosing destinations with minimal traffic, flat terrain, and reasons to stop as you go. ANZA Cycling member Falk Brauer discovered this on Rottnest Island, Western Australia. With no cars, gentle gradients, and more wildlife than you can shake a stick at, it’s made for family excursions. Bikes can be rented straight from the ferry terminal, and the routes are short enough for smaller riders. Just as appealing are the beaches for quick swims,  playgrounds to burn off energy, cafes for coffee stops, and the many moments when the bikes get parked and exploring happens on foot. “Rottnest Island is hard to beat for family cycling,” Falk says. “No cars, flat terrain, and quokkas around every corner. We rented bikes at the ferry terminal and let the girls set the pace, stopping whenever someone spotted wildlife or needed a beach break.”

The girls set the pace

For families considering cycling while travelling, places like this tick all the right boxes. Safe riding, flexible pacing, and plenty to do off the bike keeps everyone happy, and turns the ride into a highlight, not a hurdle.