High visibility clothing may increase the chances cyclists have an accident rather than keeping them safer, research has suggested.

A study of 76 accidents by academics found “no evidence” that those who wore reflective clothing “were at reduced risk”.

Jesse Norman, the transport minister, last week said a government consultation in the new year would look at whether cyclists should be forced to wear helmets and high-visibility vests.

But research from the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Nottingham University found “increased odds of a collision crash” among cyclists in reflective clothing, the Sunday Times reported.

The study suggested riders wearing the safety clothing “may have adopted more exposed road positions in the belief that they were relatively conspicuous”.

The results “should be treated with caution” however, as it based only on a small group of volunteers, researchers said.

Other research has reached the opposite conclusion.

A larger study in Denmark of nearly 7,000 cyclists found they had 47 percent fewer accidents causing injuries if a bright yellow jacket was worn.

Cycling campaigners have also warned against making helmets compulsory, insisting that accident statistics do not back up the case.

They argue that the safety equipment can give both cyclists and drivers a false sense of security, while the issue detracts from bigger threats like careless drivers and dangerously pot-holed roads.

More than 100 cyclists killed on British roads last year, latest figures show. A further 3,397 seriously injured, a five percent increase in 12 months.