Internationally renowned urban planner Jan Gehl has called on the ACT Government to turn Canberra into the cycling capital of the world.

Mr Gehl visited Canberra this week to discuss his ideas for making cities more liveable.

He has transformed streetscapes in London, New York and his native Copenhagen to favour cyclists and pedestrians, and has conducted studies of several Australian cities.

The Danish architect said Canberra had natural advantages to become an ideal city for cyclists, but authorities had not taken advantage of them.

"The only city in the world where you have room in all the streets," he said.

"You have a nice climate, you have a flat terrain, what are you waiting for?"

'Like a party where there are not enough guests'

He also suggested relaxing helmet laws to make cycling more attractive to residents.

"What you could do in Australia is get rid of the bicycle helmets," he said.

Jan Gehl said that Lake Burley Griffin felt too distant from the Canberra city centre. ( 666 ABC: Hannah Walmsley )

Mr Gehl said in Copenhagen, where helmets are not mandatory, around 40 per cent of people regularly commute on bikes.

"We have figured out that if we introduce compulsory bicycle helmets, we can in one night, halve the ridership on bicycles."

Mr Gehl said that despite the grand nature of Canberra's streets, parklands and monuments, people have been forgotten.

"I have the feeling that I've been invited to a party, where they've not invited enough guests," he added.

He also questioned why the city felt distant from Lake Burley Griffin.

"I do think that it is generally a very, very good idea to bring the city down to the lake in a much a better way," he said.

"It was meant as something that was kissing the lake, but it never came to the kissing."