Do Bike Helmets Really Expire?

By Michelle Kirsch

I’m just like you—I don’t like to replace something if I don’t need to. So do bike helmets really expire and need replacement? Well, they don’t per se have an expiration date by which they’re just not going to work anymore. I think of it more like canned foods, where there’s an expiration date after which the food doesn’t suddenly go rotten but the quality can degrade. Your bike helmet is similar. Some time after purchase, with normal wear and tear, your helmet will start to degrade. What I’ve read is that between 3-5 years it’s recommended to replace your helmet. Of course, if you’ve been in a bike crash or see cracks in your helmet before this time, please look into getting it replaced right away. 

I know what you’re thinking: helmets, especially good ones, are expensive. Well, what I do know is that if it is protecting my head and I am involved in a crash, I would want my head protection to be in the best shape. Think of your skull as a shell for your processor. If your processor gets damaged, what’s going to cost more, getting a new helmet or potentially spending more in hospital or doctor’s fees in the hope that your processor is repairable? Making sure our bike helmets are in peak shape is just as important or even more important than making sure our bikes are in tip top shape. Besides, if there’s a bike helmet you’ve been looking at, this can be your excuse to purchase a new one! 

This link was forwarded to me by Dave McQuery. It has lots of good information. Do bike helmets really expire? I asked the biggest brands why they tell riders to replace old helmets

I encourage everyone to check it out. I know I learned something from it, and I hope you do too.