Orange City Council have completed 400 metres of new paths on the southern side of the western rail line’s $600,000 bike tunnel.

The bike paths run from Sundew Circuit to the tunnel and includes gate access to James Sheahan Catholic High School and the Orange Christian School.

James Sheahan principal Peter Meers said the school decided to open up the plot to the council development to allow more people to access it.

VIDEO: Take a ride on the completed paths ...

He said he hopes the connecting paths will encourage more students to ride to school.

“It’s a much safer way for students to come than up Anson Street,” he said.

“Hopefully parents can feel better sending their children to school on bikes now that this is an option.”

Orange Christian School’s Jack Flemming said while he lived a little too far away to ride, he and his friends would probably use the path on the weekends.

The new paths are part of the Southern Link Cycleway, which is planned to run from the hospital precinct and Shiralee Village, to the central business district of Orange.