Large numbers of children from all year levels now ride to the growing school and the number is snowballing.

So much so that the school is looking to install new bike racks, set up a bike ed program and build a 'tinker shed' for bike maintenance in the future to foster a love of cycling and being active in their students.

PE teacher Jane McErlain said the number of children cycling to school was the largest she had seen, with about 20 per cent of students actively travelling to school by bike, scooter or walking.

And safe active travel routes are key to helping reduce the number of cars around busy school zones and improving the livability of cities and new developments according to planning experts.

Ms McErlain said the network of bike paths through Lucas made it easier for children to safely ride to school and gave parents more peace of mind about safety.

"The Siena school and the Lucas suburb and surrounds are ideal for bike riding. Our aim is to see 50 per cent of students actively travelling to school," she said.

"Being active before you get to school aids concentration, helps build independence, confidence and road safety."

Committee for Ballarat chief executive Michael Poulton said the large numbers of children cycling to school was an example of the concept "build it and they will come".

"(The cycle paths) provide a safe and appealing option for kids and parents - it's more about safety for the kids and giving confidence for parents that the kids are safe," he said.

"Integrated cycling infrastructure is critical to the overall design of the cityscape. Kids riding bikes to school takes cars off the road in peak time."

Mr Poulton said all developers should be encouraged to provide active transport options in their estates.

"We would be encouraging council absolutely that as part of their master plan and strategic plan for growth zones that active transport routes are considered in the same way that regular transport routes are considered," he said.

"Road usage has to be considered, so should footpaths and bike lanes. That's part of what a livable city has to have because it changes the nature of the number of cars on the road and helps break congestion."

Ms McErlain said even though many children were riding to school, it was important to offer a bike education course to give others more knowledge and confidence on two wheels.

"It supports families in giving the students the opportunity to ride outside the family group," she said. "It's like when you go on school camp - doing something with other people somewhat independent from parents."

She said students riding to school would definitely come across others on the bike paths heading the same direction.

"I can see it evolving. We want to see people on these paths all the time ... let's fill them up."

Ballarat Bicycle Users Group spokesman Matt Briody said there were many benefits of cycling.

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"There's nothing that increases participation in cycling more than safe, separated infrastructure. Kids who ride bikes are happier, healthier and are shown to be more attentive in school," he said.

"For many kids, being able to ride a bike around safely can be the difference between playing a sport, or having an after school job, or missing out on those activities altogether.

"All new housing developments should have provision for active transport. We're seeing bike paths and shared paths being retrofitted in inner urban areas and it comes at great expense. We should be able to do it right from the beginning and find space for people to walk and ride to the places they need to get to."

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