Because cycling helmets are quite light, they provide little protection when the impact is strong, the group said. According to Cyclist.ie, when helmet-wearing was enforced in other countries, the number of cyclists declined steeply, but no clear improvement is observed in head-injury rates.

Cyclist.ie chairperson Dr Mike McKillen said the government’s Smarter Travel policy is to get as many people as possible to make daily journeys by bicycle. If this aim is be realised, we must not get distracted by counterproductive debates about helmet wearing, he said.

“The drop in the number of cyclists following vigorous helmet promotion in other jurisdictions draws a stark picture: you can promote cycling or you can promote helmets; you cannot do both,” he added.