The results of the national Bicycle Network survey in which two thirds of people believed wearing a helmet should not be compulsory prompted an incredulous reaction from both riders and non riders, many of whom questioned the necessity of the research.

Tasmania’s peak cycling body, Cycling Tasmania, was quick to distance itself from the survey in a statement on Facebook.

“We fully support the current Mandatory Helmets Laws and do not support any dilution of the current law in Tasmania,” the post said.

“We submitted this same opinion to the recent senate inquiry.”

More than 350 people responded to The Examiner’s own poll regarding the laws, with 72 per cent voting that helmets should remain mandatory. 

Riverside’s Tania Maynard had the chance to see first-hand the difference helmets make two weeks ago when her son collided with a car whilst riding his bike.

She said the incident served to reaffirm her position that helmets should always be compulsory.

“My son was lucky in that it was a low speed accident and he only sustained some grazes on his leg,” she said.

“If he had not been wearing his helmet, it would have been a very different story, given his head hit the car’s windscreen.

“The paramedics, police and doctors all said his helmet saved his life.”