A freedom of information request to the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate revealed cyclists reached speeds faster than Tour de France average times at six locations measured between November 26 and December 21 last year.

Speeds and traffic numbers were measured at Barton Highway, Flemington Road, Commonwealth Avenue, Belconnen Way, Barry Drive and Northbourne Avenue as part of ACT Roads' testing for new traffic counters.

The busiest route for cyclists was Commonwealth Avenue, with 4166 trips in a seven-day period. Northbourne Avenue saw 3099 trips, while Barry Drive was the least popular with only 334 trips.

The top speed of 50km/h was reached by morning and afternoon riders on Belconnen Way near Barry Drive, while cyclists were measured travelling at 49.9km/h on the Barton Highway near Randwick Road between 7am and 8am. The slowest speed measured was 10.0km/h on Belconnen Way, about twice the average walking speed for adults.

Official Tour de France figures show Australian champion Cadel Evans' average speed in 2011 was 39.79km/h.

Drug cheat Lance Armstrong holds the two fastest average Tour times of 41.65km/h in 2005 and 40.94km/h in 2003.

The data comes as ACT restrictions on electric bikes are set to be brought into line with European standards, seeing permissible power increase from 200 watts to a maximum continuous rating of 250 watts. Motors on the bikes will cut out once the rider reaches 25km/h.

ACT Roads director Tony Gill said it was the first time his agency had measured cyclist speeds and there were no plans to introduce advisory speed limits like those in Sydney and other cities.

"These sites were selected as they represented typical locations where the traffic counters would be installed," Mr Gill said.

"Roads ACT is not currently studying the maximum speeds reached by cyclists. These results were collected while testing new traffic counters which are used to track traffic volumes, not speeds.

"Canberra has good cycling infrastructure and builds on this through the annual capital works walking and cycling infrastructure upgrade program, funded as part of the budget process.''

The new data comes as Dickson retiree Colin Cartwright lobbies members of the ACT Legislative Assembly for tougher penalties for cyclists who ride on pedestrian crossings in the ACT.

He said children and the elderly were at risk of being hit by riders who ignore laws requiring them to dismount at pedestrian crossings.

''The safety of pedestrians is being put at risk because they are ignoring signs and the law,'' Mr Cartwright said.