Time to use your head and wear a helmet when cycling

Ireland is on target to have its worst year since 2008 for cyclist deaths and there is no legal requirement for cyclists to wear a helmet and no Government appetite to change the law, writes Brian McDonald.

RYAN SMITH was — and still is — mad about his hair. At 16, image is all important and Ryan never went anywhere socially without his blond hair groomed to perfection.

Even when cycling, keen sportsman Ryan didn’t want anything to interfere with his tresses and wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a cycling helmet. Tragically, he nearly was and probably because he didn’t have a helmet.