Helmet lifespan

From the website of the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, http://www.helmets.org/replace.htm:

Most manufacturers now recommend that helmets be replaced after five years, but some of that may be just marketing. (Bell now recommends every three years, which seems to us too short. They base it partially on updating your helmet technology, but they have not been improving their helmets that much over three year periods, and we consider some of their helmets since the late 1990's to be a step backwards, so we would take that with a grain of salt.) Deterioration depends on usage, care, and abuse. But if you ride thousands of miles every year, five years may be a realistic estimate of helmet life. And helmets have actually been improving enough over time to make it a reasonable bet that you can find a better one than you did five years ago. It may fit better, look better, and in some cases may even be more protective.

So who is the "Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute" and why are their recommendations different from yours?

Do you have any sources we can read to back up your maufacturers rep's recommendations??

So the manufacturers rep can only cite his own owner,s manuals as reference? 

I want to first say that I have the utmost respect for Mr. Demerly, have bought two bikes based in large part on his reviews, and constantly provide links to his articles to help beginners.

However here it appears we have scant evidence on either side: retailers and manufacturers who recommend replacement every three years (with only their literature to back it up) and advocacy group that claims replacement every five years or so and that the manufacturers' claims might be a bit of hooey.

Seems like someone would have done some independent testing somewhere...

Plastic deteriates over time and other materials used in helmets do as well.  We can observe that fairly easily.  Personally, I would not go beyond 5 years and maybe closer to 3. 

We just changed out a "perfectly good" car seat for the same reason. 

When it comes to safety where it could be life or death, there is just no reason to be cheap. 

Though I don't think they checked, at Steelhead in Michigan this year it was a requirement that the helmet be no more than three years old.

My first helmet was about 2 years old when I replaced it...since I broke it on a nasty crash!  The second helmet was replaced after about 4 years and now my current helmet is a 2006 model.

Since I started doing triathlon, I have noticed that I don't treat them quite as well as I used to.  They sit out all day in the sun waiting in transition or on my head and then it usually ends up on the ground by the time I get back from the run.  It gets tossed in the trunk, etc.  If I see any degradation of the straps, hardness of the foam, delaminating of the shell, I will replace it sooner than 5 years.

As I have worked for several different mfrs, I have a hard time accepting common perceptions that mfrs. create planned obsolescense or planned failure to generate future sales.  A mfr. can make most anything "bulletproof", but then most of us could not afford the price.  It is usually a delicate balance between quality, price, and service.  Helmet companies recommending replacement intervals probably have much more to do with a safety issue rather than selling more helmets.  The newest latest model and/or color are what marketing departments use to generate interest in a new product.  Just my opinion.

Helmet  $100.00 vs Head injury $100,000's in cost or good funeral $6000.   

Since it's hard to tell wear and tear on them I vote caution.   Anyhow I just feel prettier.

I just read the participant's guide, do find where they mention the requirement for helmets, but see no requirement that they "be no more than three years old." Do you have another source that mentions it? It would be a highly irregular requirement and very difficult to enforce...

 Current (no more than 3-years in age) ANSI, CPSC or SNELL approved helmets are required during the cycling portion of the event. You will be prohibited from participating if you don't have an approved helmet (no refunds). Helmets must be buckled in place during all aspects of the bike including transition.

The above was in the Rules and Procedures section of the website.  Hope this helps.

In addition to the above, a helmet has a lifespan of exactly one bounce.  If you've crashed and the helmet touched the pavement, it's time to replace it.  Many helmet companies will offer you either a free replacement, or one at a huge discount.

It's also time if you want one.  If a new helmet will make you want to ride more often, or make you feel more excited about wearing a helmet, then get one.

On a side note:  I had a Bell Ghisallo that after about 2 years I found a crack in the styrofoam, right in the center of the forehead area.  I brought the helmet to my LBS, who gave it to their Bell rep, and Bell replaced it with a brand new one at no charge.  And I had not even crashed in the helmet.  Way to go Bell!!!

As said, the helmet is not a place to skimp.  Buy a helemt, make sure it's in good condition, and use it.  And replace it within a few years, even if you don't see anything obviously wrong.  You can wear an old ratty jersey, but have a decent helmet.