Wirecutter - Let's ride

Welcome to cycling season, fellow riders. Two quick notes on helmet safety before you hit the road:

I’ve learned the hard way—the hard way being two cyclocross-induced concussions—that if you crash while riding your bike, you should discard the helmet you were wearing. Helmets are one-and-done safety devices, and once yours has served its purpose, thank it, retire it, and buy yourself a new one.

You may have also heard that the foam inside can “go bad” and that you should replace your helmet every three, five, or ten years. 

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But as senior staff writer Eve O’Neill writes, that’s not really true—the foam inside doesn’t go bad with age, and as long as your helmet fits snugly, its hard shell is still in good shape, and you haven’t dinged your lid, you’re good to go.

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Happy riding! 
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