Learning to ride a bike will be part of the curriculum for year five and six students at Curtin Primary School, with the introduction of a new program to give kids confidence on a bike.

The initiative, Ride or Walk to School, is designed to get kids moving for at least 60 minutes each day.

More than 50 Canberra schools are already part of the three-year program run by the ACT Government-funded Physical Activity Foundation.

Students learn road and pedestrian safety, and bike maintenance skills.

Coordinator for the program at Curtin Primary School, Hugh Peoples said the students would learn the skills to confidently ride to and from school.

"Bikes are going to be a very important part of our PE program for the rest of the year for the whole of year five and six," he said.

Year five and six students at Curtin Primary School will learn bike skills to allow them to safely ride to and from school. ( 666 ABC Canberra: Louise Maher )

"Anyone can ride a bike fast, but it's really tricky to learn how to control a bike and learn how to multi-task and be aware of the surroundings when riding."

Curtin Primary School and schools registered with the program were given 15 new bikes and bike helmets to ensure all students had the opportunity to learn to ride a bike.

As well as encouraging students who live near the school to walk or ride, teachers at Curtin Primary School plan to establish a riding club where parents can be involved in group rides.

"We'll also be trying to engage those kids who aren't [easily engaged] in the classroom, to use their hands to help maintain and fix the bikes," Mr Peoples said.

Year six student at Curtin Primary School Elenor Parkinson said riding to school was a relaxing way to start the day.

"It calms you before you go to school and refreshes you," she said.

"When you ride, it's sort of like being in your own little bubble, distant from the rest of the world.

"It's a really good thing to do before coming to school where you have children rushing around everywhere and going into class."

Curtin Primary School had already successfully encouraged students and families to use the commute to school as an exercise opportunity.

"Originally we had about 15 to 25 per cent riding to school last year and it's up to around 40 per cent if not more riding to school on a daily basis," Mr Peoples said.