Family biking trips: Great value routes in Greater Taipei

Many parents love taking their kids on family biking trips during weekends to explore and have fun together. Besides enjoying the scenery and breathing fresh air, it also helps kids get more exercise, improve their health, and boost their immunity. We've compiled a list of 11 top-rated biking spots in the Greater Taipei area recommended by parents. Along the way, there are many educational and entertaining facilities where kids can learn new things, while parents can relax and unwind.

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Ride along the left bank of the Xindian River starting from Yongfu Bridge, connecting both New Taipei City and Taipei City, and extend as far as Yangguang Bridge in Xindian District. Not only can you bike across the bridge to take in the riverside views, but you can also observe the seasonal changes along the Xindian River. Riding further south will take you to Bitan, where you can admire the beautiful lakeside scenery. Yangguang Bridge is located at a midpoint along the Xindian River, making it an ideal spot for families to take a break before crossing back. This makes for a moderately distanced ride that's perfect for active leisure and a healthy lifestyle trip.

The wooden carvings on Longyao Bridge in Yingge depict the history of ceramics and local culture. When planning a biking trip to Yingge, consider stopping by Longyao Bridge. After 7 PM, the bridge features a dazzling and unique dragon-shaped light show. Even from afar, you can enjoy the illuminated beauty of Longyao Bridge along the Yingge River. It’s recommended to take the train to Yingge and use the weekend shuttle buses to reach various attractions. Alternatively, biking avoids traffic jams and crowded trains.
(Image courtesy of the Greater Taipei Biking website)

Jindu Bridge is located between Nanxing Bridge and Daguan Bridge in Banqiao District. To bike here, you can start from the ramp and stairs at Nanxing Bridge. If you're coming from NS Ya Night Market, take Nanya West Road Section 1. Near the entrance to Jindu Bridge, you'll find a green belt lined with mountain cherry trees, azaleas, osmanthus, and begonias, allowing you to enjoy the flowers while biking. Additionally, you can stop by nearby Fuxing Temple to experience a place full of cultural and historical significance and local faith.

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Located in the city center of Banqiao, the Wetland Museum is situated along the artificial wetland ecological corridor of the Dahan River. Families who enjoy cycling can easily ride their bikes to the Dahan River Ecological Corridor, which features many dirt paths and wetland flora and fauna, making it an ideal natural classroom for observing wetland wildlife.

Families who enjoy cycling in Tamsui can plan a one-day trip to Tamsui. In addition to visiting Fisherman's Wharf to enjoy the sea view, it is recommended to include a visit to learn about the mangrove forest. Then, cycle along the mangrove boardwalk in the Tamsui Mangrove Ecological Reserve to personally experience the beauty of the riverside wetlands and observe up close the diverse life nurtured by the mangrove ecosystem.

In the Dayuan and area riverside park, there’s the Yonghe Green Emerald Sports Park. You can reach it in just a two-minute drive by taking the exit from Zhongzheng Bridge in Taipei City.The park features ten themed sports spaces, including a skating rink, a croquet field, and various other sports areas. There's also a wellness culture park and an ecological zone. The park is connected to the upstream and downstream sections of the Xindian River bicycle path.

This spring has enjoyed mild and pleasant weather, and the peak blooming period of the calla lilies at Zhushan Lake is expected to occur in April. The entire flower viewing season is anticipated to last until the end of May. Families who wish to visit and admire the flowers can plan their trips accordingly.This year, the Calla Lily Festival at Zhushanhu features various themed landscapes including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Pocahontas, allowing families who come to admire the flowers to not only stroll through vast fields of calla lilies but also to immerse themselves in a fairytale-like, dreamy atmosphere.

No matter where you are in Greater Taipei, just hop on the riverside bike path, head toward the New Taipei City Second Ring Bicycle Path, and aim for the Xinzhuang Bridge or Zhenxing Bridge. You can easily and quickly reach Happy Water Park for a delightful picnic without worrying about finding parking.If taking the MRT, you can get off at Sanchong Station, walk along the MRT route past Section 1 of Shuhong East Road, cross the levee, and you’ll see a vast expanse of lush green grass.

This route allows you to experience the Erchong Floodway, the longest cycling path in Taiwan, located in New Taipei City. Simply hop on a bicycle to explore seven scenic parks along the city's riverside, including the Floodway Sports Park, Riverside Park, Lotus Park, Marsh Park, and Tamsui Riverbank Park. Among them, the Floodway Lotus Park and Floodway Riverside Park feature beautiful lotus flowers, which are in full bloom in May—making it a perfect time to visit and enjoy the vibrant blossoms all around you.

In addition to the recently famous "Cat Bridge," the Hou Rui bicycle path in Ruifang has also added concrete guardrails, traffic signs, and detailed maps.Additionally, a passageway was constructed to go under the railway, allowing the existing bike path to be further extended.Riding a bicycle here allows you to enjoy the view of the Keelung River and get a close-up look at the habitat of many water birds along the mountainous waterfront.

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