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🇦🇹 Austria /Health & Science

How long does a bicycle helmet last? “There is no expiration date”

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Context piece
  • Bicycle helmets have no fixed expiration date, but use, weather and sunlight can wear down straps, buckles and other components.
  • A helmet should be replaced immediately after a crash if its inner shell is cracked, dented or damaged, while superficial scratches and ordinary drops generally do not require replacement.
  • Kerbl advises against helmet-mounted cameras and standard bicycle helmets on climbing frames because they can affect protection or create a strangulation risk.

A bicycle helmet does not come with a fixed expiration date, but that does not mean it lasts forever. ÖAMTC technician Steffan Kerbl said an unused helmet can remain usable for 10 years, while regular use, weather and sunlight gradually affect its components.

Straps can fray, buckles can weaken and the chin strap can loosen. A helmet may also need replacing when its padding becomes unhygienic and difficult to clean. After a crash, the rule is stricter: cracks, dents or broken material in the inner shell mean the helmet should be replaced immediately. Surface scratches alone do not. Simply dropping the helmet is generally harmless.

European bicycle helmets follow the EN 1078 standard, while helmets for young children follow EN 1080. Testing for EN 1078 involves impacts at speeds of about 24 kilometers per hour. Motorcycle helmets are tested at 30 kilometers per hour, including impacts against an edge, but they are not a practical substitute for bicycle helmets because their enclosed design can create unhealthy heat buildup.

There is no expiration date.

· Steffan KerblThe ÖAMTC technician explained that helmets do not have a fixed expiry date, though their components wear with use.

Some bicycle helmets include MIPS, or Multi-Directional Impact Protection System. Elastic connections between the inner layer and the helmet can reduce rotational forces during an impact, helping protect the brain. Kerbl also advised against mounting cameras on helmets because a fall could damage the shell or reduce its protective effect. Cameras should instead be attached to the bicycle or the rider’s body.

Fit matters as well. A correctly adjusted helmet should stay on the head even when the chin strap is open and the wearer bends forward. With the strap closed, two fingers should fit between it and the chin. The front edge should sit two finger-widths above the eyebrows. Standard bicycle helmets should not be worn on climbing frames because they can create a strangulation risk if they catch. Helmets designed for young children and marked EN 1080 are suitable for playground use.

The helmet edge should sit two finger-widths above the eyebrows.

· Steffan KerblKerbl described the correct position for the front edge of a bicycle helmet.
About this summary

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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