The super fit 49-year-old father of two daughters succumbed on Saturday to head injuries he sustained in Kent Street. After falling from his bike he never regained consciousness. He had just left his cycling mates after having coffee with them and was with another rider.

Police said Mr Stanton was not riding recklessly, was wearing a helmet and suffered serious head injuries. Police believe a mechanical problem with his bike may have caused the accident and are still interviewing people.

Pedal Power executive officer John Armstrong said little information was known and felt sure the police investigation would be thorough. "The only information I know is one of our active members performed CPR at the time of the accident. I think we have to be patient and respect the family's right to privacy," Mr Armstrong said.

Mr Stanton was chief executive of Australian Forestry Standard, an independent certification body in Canberra that looks after labelling forest products.

He worked on policy with peak industry bodies like Australian Plantation Products & Paper Industry Council; Australian Paper Industry Council; Plantation Timber Association of Australia; National Association of Forest Industries; and State Forests NSW.

A long-time friend described him as intelligent, quietly spoken, and what he did have to say was important and well considered.

Mr Stanton rode with a close-knit Canberra cycling group who sometimes went on long rides to places like Cootamundra.

"The great thing when you are riding behind someone in a bunch is they are taking some of the wind for you, they are taking some of the burden for you, they are helping you out," a friend said.

"I think we all think of Richard as an integral part of that bunch and someone who just went about doing their part of it in a very unassuming, dependable manner."

He said Mr Stanton was at a happy stage of life and at peace with the world. "He was successful professionally, getting a lot of pleasure out of his work. He has two lovely daughters [Emma and Julia] who were growing up and they are fantastic kids, and he was really enjoying his cycling. He had just come back from an overseas holiday with some close friends and had had a wonderful time on that."

He is also survived by his wife, Sonia.

Australian Forestry Standard's website said Mr Stanton was respected and loved.

"We will remember Richard as a quiet achiever with a huge intellect, a droll sense of humour and a knack of getting to the core of an issue.

"Outside work he was well-known as a dedicated family man and an avid cyclist."

In earlier years he had competed in triathlons. He was one of only 15 people to have completed every Sydney Morning Herald half marathon since it began more than 20 years ago.

"He was just starting the annual training, the event is in May," his friend said. "Each year he went back to running again to run the half marathon, a classic Richard thing, commitment over a long time. It was important to him to stick at that."

A celebration of Mr Stanton's life will be held at the ANU Bruce Hall in Acton on Friday at 4pm, followed by a private burial.