About Bike Hire in East Perth is a brilliant family-friendly way to explore the Swan River foreshore and Perth city, whether you’ve got little ones on training wheels or teens who want something more adventurous. Tucked away at Point Fraser on Riverside Drive, it’s an easy spot to get to with ample paid CPP parking right out the front, and once you’re on the path you’re straight onto some of Perth’s most scenic cycleways.
Families are spoilt for choice with the range of equipment. Alongside standard adult city bikes, there are children’s bikes in various sizes, trailer bikes, cabooses and baby seats so even toddlers can join the ride. For something a bit different you can hire tandem bikes or the ever-popular family quad-cycles, which are perfect if you’ve got mixed ages or kids who aren’t confident to ride independently. About Bike Hire also offers mountain bikes for off-road adventures, hardtail bikes, and even carbon road bikes if you’ve got a serious cyclist in the family.
In recent years, the range has expanded beyond traditional bikes. You can now hire electric bikes and electric scooters, which are great for older kids and adults who want to cover more distance with less effort, or for families looking to tackle some of the longer suggested routes. There are also kayaks – both single and double – that launch straight from the back of the store into the Swan River, plus stand-up paddle boards. This makes About Bike Hire a fantastic base for a full day of outdoor fun on both land and water.
On our visit, we arrived to find plenty of bikes available, though the staff did mention that in warmer months and on busy weekends it’s wise to book ahead to guarantee your preferred equipment. Bookings can be made via email or phone, and the team are happy to talk through what will work best for your family’s ages and abilities. We opted for two trailer bikes, which let the kids pedal along behind us while still being safely attached. After a quick set-up and safety check by the staff, we were off.
The cycle path that runs alongside the Swan River from Point Fraser is ideal for families. It’s mostly flat, wide and separated from the road, with beautiful river views the whole way. As we pedalled along in the gentle winter sun, we spotted boats on the water, washed-up oyster shells on the riverbank and plenty of other cyclists, who the kids loved waving to. About Bike Hire has a handy “Best WA Rides” guide and suggested city rides on their website, so if you’re not sure where to go, you can plan a route that matches your family’s stamina – from short loops around the city to longer adventures towards Fremantle or along the “Sunset Coast”.
We chose to ride over to The Camfield for a well-earned lunch, but one of the best parts of hiring from this location is the amount of choice for food and drink stops within easy riding distance. From Elizabeth Quay and the city, to cafes and Playgrounds along the river, it’s very easy to break up your ride with snacks, coffee or a play. There are also accessible public toilets dotted along the route, including at nearby Victoria Gardens, which also has a lovely Playground – a great spot to let the kids burn off any extra energy out of the bike seats.
If you’ve got adventurous older kids or teens, it’s worth checking out About Bike Hire’s mountain bike options and their information on nearby off-road trails and the Munda Biddi Trailhead. They also offer a delivery service within the Perth metro area and to the Munda Biddi Trailhead in Mundaring, which is handy if you’re planning a day trip or camping weekend and don’t want to transport bikes yourself.
Beyond casual family outings, About Bike Hire caters to a wide range of needs. They do long-term hires, corporate bookings, and they sell both new and second-hand bikes with a “try then buy” option. There’s also a full bike servicing and repair workshop on site, with discounted hire available while your own bike is being worked on. Accessories such as helmets, locks, pannier bags and car racks are available to hire or buy, making it easy to turn a spontaneous idea into a fully equipped day out.
We hired our bikes for the afternoon and honestly could have kept going when 4.30pm rolled around and it was time to head back. It was one of those simple, wholesome days that ticked all the boxes: loads of fresh air, plenty to see, quality family time and, best of all, two very tired children who fell asleep easily that night. Whether you’re a local looking for a new way to enjoy the river, or you’re showing visiting friends around Perth, About Bike Hire is an excellent, flexible option for all ages.
About Bike Hire, East Perth
Address: 305 Riverside Drive, East Perth WA 6004
Opening hours: Open 7 days (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Anzac Day, WA Day and Good Friday).
- April to October:
- Monday, Wednesday–Friday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
- Tuesday: 9.30am – 5.00pm
- Saturday–Sunday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
- November to March:
- Monday–Friday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
- Saturday–Sunday: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Official website: aboutbikehire.com.au
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- About the Author
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Raised in London, Daniella’s love for travelling came once she discovered that life existed outside of the city.
Many years, adventures, and a Psychology degree later, she found her home by the beach in Perth. She’s a twin mum (yes, she has her hands full), a book lover and a daydreamer.
