Brisbane could offer itself up as a trial location for voluntary helmet laws for cyclists should a Senate inquiry open the door to legislative change, the city's deputy mayor said on Tuesday.

Adrian Schrinner, also Brisbane City Council's public and active transport committee chairman, said helmets should not be compulsory for adult cyclists riding in "low-risk" environments.

Deputy mayor Adrian Schrinner says Brisbane's inner-city, home of the CityCycle scheme, could benefit from voluntary helmet laws. Credit:Michelle Smith

His comments came after the council's transport strategy manager Andrew Lintern gave a presentation to the committee about the so-called "nanny state" Senate inquiry, spearheaded by Liberal Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm.

Mandatory helmet laws quickly emerged, much to the libertarian Senator Leyonhjelm's surprise, as a key focus of the inquiry.