You’re probably able to spot an expired item in your kitchen pantry or bathroom cabinet, but can you tell if your bicycle helmet has passed its expiration date?
It’s true that like many other safety devices, such as carseats and smoke detectors, bicycle helmets have a set lifespan and should be replaced regularly. How often may differ from expert to expert and among manufacturers, but there are some guidelines that can help cyclists know when to seek out a new helmet.
Research has shown that wearing a helmet is associated with almost a 70 percent lower risk of serious head injury in bicycling crashes. This is good news for cyclists. Unfortunately, helmets aren’t indestructible, and just because they look fine after a crash doesn’t mean they actually are. Similarly, years of use can wear a helmet down and the protective materials may no longer do their job.
If you’ve trusted the same helmet for many years or you keep picking it up again after a crash, it may be time to replace it. Here’s what the experts recommend.
What to do after years of use
The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises cyclists to replace helmets every 5 to 10 years, depending on a variety of factors.
“Follow the guidance provided by the manufacturer,” the commission writes. “In the absence of such guidance, it may be prudent to replace your helmet with 5-10 years of purchase, a decision that can be based, at least in part, on how much the helmet was used, how it was cared for, and where it was stored.”
This will be different for every cyclist and every helmet. But you should be on the lookout for some obvious helmet flaws and aware of the ones that aren’t as easy to see with the naked eye.
“Cracks in the shell or liner, a loose shell, marks on the liner, fading of the shell, evidence of crushed foam in the liner worn straps, or missing pads or other parts are all reasons to replace a helmet,” the commission continues. “Regular replacement may minimize any reduced effectiveness that could result from degradation over time, and allow you to take advantage of recent advances in helmet protection.”
If you’re on the fence about replacing your helmet, consider these factors:
- Has it been involved in a crash? If yes, replace.
- When did you purchase the helmet? If it’s been several years, potentially more than five, consider an upgrade.
- Are there visible signs of wear? This could indicate that the protective features of a helmet may no longer be useful.
- How have you cared for the helmet? If it sits out in the weather or you toss it around the garage, the helmet could be compromised and won’t be much help in protecting against a head injury.
The elements the helmet experiences is a particularly important factor.
“A heavily used helmet is going to be exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun, and it might be repeatedly tossed into a locker or a car, where summer temperatures can top 120° F,” Consumer Reports writes. “A beaten-up, worn-out helmet will protect you better than not wearing one…but eventually, you’ll want to replace it.”
It can also be a good idea to check with your helmet’s manufacturer and what they advise in terms of replacement. Many manufacturers recommend a replacement every three to five years – a range much shorter than the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Ineffective foam following a crash
While there may not be full agreement on exactly when is the best time to upgrade your bicycle helmet, most experts concur that it should be done after a crash. Why? The foam that’s in the helmet used to protect your head compresses and crumples on impact and once that’s happened, it’s no longer effective at protecting you again in another crash.
Cyclists should regularly inspect their helmets, whether or not they are in a crash, for fractures or cracks in the plastic shell – however, if there’s damage to the foam underneath the plastic, you may not be able to see it. This is why safety experts urge cyclists to replace helmets after a crash.
“You may be reluctant to replace a helmet that looks almost as good as new, but if you did hit, you don’t want to take chances on where you will hit next time,” writes Randy Swart, the former vice chairman of the helmet and headgear subcommittee for ASTM International, a nonprofit that develops technical standards. “If the foam is cracked under the thin shell, it will be more likely to fly apart in your next crash. Many manufacturers will replace crashed helmets for a nominal fee, and most will also inspect crashed helmets to see if they need replacement.”
Even if you don’t believe your helmet was involved in a crash and didn’t hit anything hard like the pavement, it can sometimes be difficult to know for sure, especially because they’re designed to prevent injury. To be safe, replace the helmet so that you can be sure you’re doing everything you can to protect your head from injury.
Involved in a crash? Do this next
If you’re reading this post, it’s probably because you do your best to prevent major injury from a bike-related crash and want to prepare for the worst case scenario. While there’s a lot you can do to ensure your safety, sometimes it’s not your fault. If you’re involved in a crash and suffer an injury, the staff at Bay Area Bicycle Law can help.
The Bay Area Bicycle Law team only works on bicycle-related personal injury cases, so you can be sure we are the ones to trust and that you’re getting the most laser-focused care for your case.
Call (415) 466-8717, email us at [email protected], or visit us online. Consultations are always free.