The Ballarat Cycling Action Plan 2017-2025 will be debated at Wednesday night’s Ballarat City Council meeting.

It outlines short, medium and long-term steps to make Ballarat a more attractive place for cyclists, and make cycling a major transport mode.

Key priorities include a separate, off-road bike route linking Ballarat and Wendouree railway stations along the railway corridor, and through to the existing “Bunny Trail” to MADE.

There would also be a “Sturt Greenway” along Sturt Street linking the CBD with Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park.

A separate track would link the CBD, via the Ballarat railway station, with existing Yarrowee River and Canadian Creek trails, and a cycling track would be built from the Ballarat West Growth area to the CBD.

Distinct route signs would also be set up to help navigate the new Ballarat Bicycle Network.

In a report to the council, development and planning manager Angelique Lush said the network would provide continuous, safe, predominantly off-route paths to encourage more people to cycle as a transport method.

“The plan recognises that, with significant population growth forecast, residents and visitors will increasingly be looking for cheaper, more enjoyable and convenient transport alternatives to move across the municipality,” Ms Lush said.

“For the first time, cycling infrastructure planning is approached in a similar manner to public transport planning, which focuses on linking people between destinations, looks at ensuring households are within catchments to identified routes, and is integrated between modes.

“Each person who rides, instead of drives, frees up the road and parking spaces for those who want to drive.”

If adopted, the plan will include a Ballarat Cycling Technical Report to provide design guidance.