The move aims to cut the number of sedentary Canberrans by providing free recreational activities that are easy to access.

Launched on Wednesday, Connecting and Building Recreation: a vision for the Territory outlines plans to improve the health and wellbeing of residents by encouraging them to see recreation and incidental exercise as a fun and easy way to get fit.

The initiative comes as reports show that almost two-thirds of adults and a quarter of children in Canberra are overweight or obese.

Two in five adults are not active enough to maintain their health, an ACT government report shows.

The use of parks and reserves for recreational activity will also be encouraged to help people get fit outdoors.

Sport and Recreation Minister Shane Rattenbury highlighted the many spaces where people could exercise.

"We have the great fortune to have a lot of nature reserves, a lot of open space, and a great environment for just getting out and getting involved in things," he said.

"We want to encourage our community to make greater use of those things that exist in our community."

Mr Rattenbury said mountain biking was part of the focus, both for exercise and as an activity that appealed to tourists.

A discussion paper on mountain biking was also released on Wednesday to help guide growth in the sport.

Pedal Power ACT executive officer John Armstrong backed the move, saying "the level of opportunity that is there for recreational mountain biking in the ACT is phenomenal; we should use it".

Mr Rattenbury said residents could also utilise outdoor gyms in many parks.

Heart Foundation ACT health manager Anthony Burton supported the initiative, saying "Canberra has fantastic recreational assets and delivering on this vision will encourage more people to be more active more often".

The initiative is part of the ACT government's Active 2020 plan, which was launched in 2011.