Research has found that Perth cyclists are using quieter back streets to avoid major roads, even when cycle paths are provided.

Edith Cowan University researchers have used the mobile fitness app STRAVA to track cyclists as they ride around the metropolitan area.

Though their work has confirmed the growing popularity of cycling in Perth, it has also found many riders using back streets instead of dedicated bike paths on busy roads.

But, according to ECU School of Natural Science lecturer Dave Blake, this trend is still putting riders at risk of accidents.

"Often these roads are not suitable for bike traffic as they can be narrow, filled with parked cars and can actually be quite hazardous," Dr Blake said.

"Macrae Road in Applecross is one example.

"It runs adjacent to the much busier Canning Highway but a large number of accidents involving cyclists have been recorded in recent years on what is a short stretch of road.

"The big question we need to answer now is why cyclists are choosing to ride on paths or roads in different areas.

"It could be because of safety, convenience, speed or any number of other reasons."

Cyclist numbers are usually measured by counters fixed on paths.

But STRAVA - used by about 30 per cent of Perth cyclists to log bike trips - can show numbers at many points along a journey.

By analysing these journeys in 2013, the researchers have found Perth's busiest stretch of road is Mill Point Road in South Perth with more than 200,000 cycling trips.

It was followed by Hackett Drive in Crawley (155,000); Curtin Avenue in Cottesloe (146,000); Kings Park Avenue (119,000), and Melville Beach Road (103,000).

ECU Centre for Planning program director Tim Perkins said the important next step in the research project was to understand why cyclists chose particular routes and what made the routes safer than others.

"We hope to be able to gain a better understanding of the types of cyclists in Perth and their reasons for selecting the routes they do, whether that is a bike path, road or a combination of both," he said.

West Cycle chief executive Clint Shaw said the research was an important step in identifying gaps in Perth's cycling infrastructure.

"We've seen a big increase in the number of people cycling in WA in recent years and it's important bicycle infrastructure is improved in line with that increase," Mr Shaw said.

"But this research also helps us target the infrastructure to areas where it is most needed."