Bike shop owner Scott Main says he has refused to install several imported motors brought into his shop by customers.

''Electric bikes are going to become the next big thing, although following that there will be an issue with licensing,'' he said.

''You can buy some 800-watt electric bikes [illegal to use in the ACT] off the internet and we'll end up having these people running into cars or pedestrians at high speeds.''

Canberra bike shops are reporting an increase in electric bikes.

Higher-powered electric bicycles may soon be allowed on Canberra's roads and cycle paths following an amendment in the Legislative Assembly last week.

Attorney-General Simon Corbell successfully pushed to bring Canberra into line with the European standards, a move that increased the power of electric bikes from the existing 200-watt limit to a maximum continuous power rating of 250 watts.

The change is part of a national agreement across jurisdictions to allow the importation, sale and use of European-style electric bikes.

Mr Corbell said the European-style bicycles, called pedelecs, allowed for better performance on hills and an extended range on journeys, but also had additional safety and design requirements.

Lobby group Pedal Power welcomes more electric bikes on the road because they will help more people get into riding, particularly if they have injuries or need to ride long distances over challenging terrain, according to the group's spokesman, Matt Larkin.

''We also think it is right that the power should be limited and only available when riders are pedalling,'' he said.

Susan Olsen from Switched on Cycles in O'Connor said the bikes were popular with mums who wanted to keep up with their children, as well as grey nomads who took the bikes with them on their driving holidays.

''And for people who have been parking [their car] in the city and paying $11 a day,'' she said.

Electric bikes are now being used by police in the ACT, according to Mr Main, who said he had sold some to ACT Policing.