More than 3000 people have joined a social media campaign protesting against the new helmets to be introduced early next year for jockeys and track riders.

A Facebook page set up by Brisbane jockeys Jim Byrne and Ryan Wiggins had almost 3400 members by Monday afternoon while an online petition on change.org had more than 1000 signatures.

Jockeys' concerns centre around the risk of neck injury from the increased weight and size of the helmets which Racing Australia has said should be worn from March 2016.

Des O'Keeffe, chief executive of the Victorian Jockeys Association, said the issue of safety was paramount.

"A lot of the comments on the Facebook page have been incredibly insightful and constructive," O'Keeffe told Melbourne radio station RSN.

"This issue is not about jockeys. It is about every person that rides thoroughbred horses in Australia, whether they are track riders or trainers that ride their horses in trackwork or jockeys that ride in trackwork and races.

"Track riders are not members of our association but their voices need to be heard as well, especially when it involves a piece of safety equipment such as a helmet."

Jockey Stephen Baster said he had tried the new helmet some time ago and hated it while other are concerned it comes in just three sizes - small, medium and large - and needs packing to make it fit.