The question is, do bicycle helmets expire? has been asked a lot lately, and it seems like more people are asking about this than ever before.
The short answer is yes, they do expire. The longer answer is that the expiry date on your bike helmet is not an indication of how long you can ride with it. It’s just a way for the helmet manufacturers to tell you when to get rid of it so they don’t have to pay you any money in case of any damage.
The expiration date on the helmets is a “use by” or “best if used by” date. That means that the product will be good as new until the day you first use it after the expiry date. You could still use it safely, but it may not perform as well as it did when it was brand new.
How To Check Helmet Expiry Date?
There are two ways to check the expiry date on your bike helmet:
- Go to the website of the company that made your cycling helmet. Most companies list their products online, and most of them also include an expiration date on the label. If you’re lucky enough to find the expiry date listed somewhere in the description section of the site, then you should be able to click on the link and see exactly what the expiration date is.
- Look at the back of your bike helmet. This is usually printed on the inside of the helmet. On some models, it might be written on the outside, too. If you look carefully, you’ll probably be able to read the expiry date right on the back of your helmet!
When To Replace A Bicycle Helmet?
If you want to know when to replace your helmet, here are some things to consider:
- How often do you wear your bike helmet? Do you only wear it while riding? Or do you wear it while doing other activities, such as going to school or work?
- What kind of activity do you do most frequently? Is it mostly biking or something else?
- Are you wearing your helmet all the time? Or do you take it off sometimes?
- How many miles per year do you ride?
- How old is your bike helmet?
- Do you go through a lot of different kinds of headgear?
- Have you had any problems with your current helmet?
These questions will help you decide when you need to buy a new helmet. My recommendation is to replace your old helmet every 5 years. Some helmet manufacturers recommend replacing your helmet every 2 years.
But generally, a helmet’s lifespan is between 5 years to 10 years.
How Much Force Is Required To Damage The Helmet?
The average breaking force of a helmet was found to range from 140 to 160 pounds.
But the damage to a bicycle helmet also depends on the materials used for it. There are three main types of material used today: plastic, fiberglass, and foam. Each type of material has its strengths and weaknesses.
For example, plastic is very durable, but it doesn’t absorb much energy. The foam absorbs a lot of energy, but it isn’t very strong. Fiberglass absorbs a lot of energy and is extremely strong.
How Long Does An Unused Helmet Last?
Most people think that unused bike helmets last forever. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Most helmets won’t even last 10 years.
That’s because there’s no real way to keep a helmet safe. When you use a helmet, it gets exposed to lots of force. These forces cause tiny cracks in the surface of the helmet. Over time, these cracks can grow into big holes. And once they get big enough, they can start leaking air.
This is why I always suggest buying a new helmet whenever you change out your bike gear. It’s better to have a new helmet than risk having a leaky one.
The Main Reason Why Helmets Expire?
There are two main reasons why bike helmets expire. First, they lose strength over time. Second, they become damaged by external forces.
Helmets Lose Strength Over Time
As mentioned earlier, a bike helmet loses strength over time. This means that it becomes weaker and more susceptible to cracking. Because of this, a helmet needs to be replaced after about 5-10 years.
Helmet Cracking Caused By External Forces
Another reason why bike helmets expire is external forces. For example, if you’re involved in an accident, then the impact could crack the helmet.
In addition, if you crash into a tree, sidewalk, curb, etc., then the impact could damage the helmet.
Do Vintage Helmets Expire?
No. If you find a vintage helmet, then it should still be able to protect your head as much as that helmet meets certain safety standards. However, it might look worn down. So don’t worry too much about how it looks. Just make sure that it fits properly and does what it’s supposed to do.
Final Thoughts
Bicycle helmets are important safety devices. They can save your life if you ever end up in a crash. But just like anything else, they wear out over time.
So if you want to make sure that your bike helmet lasts longer, then you’ll need to replace your helmet every few years.
If you’ve got any other questions or concerns, feel free to leave them below!
FAQs
What Do You Do With Old Bicycle Helmets?
If you find a used helmet lying around somewhere, then chances are good that it will still work fine. But if it’s cracked or broken, then it’s probably best to throw it away.
However, if the helmet is still in good shape, then you can sell it online or at local flea markets.
Where Can You Find Used Bicycling Protective Gear?
You can usually find used cycling gear at thrift stores, garage sales, eBay, Craigslist, Amazon, etc.
Do Cycling Helmets Save Live?
Yes. most cycling helmets are designed to prevent serious injuries. Most of the time, bike helmets will stop a skull fracture.
But some cyclists also wear a helmet for aesthetic purposes. Some riders choose to wear a helmet simply because it makes their head look cool.
