Bear in mind that if the helmet did its job most people would tell you that they did not even hit their head, or did not hit their head that hard. And the thin shells on most helmets now tend to hide any dents in the foam. But if you can see marks on the shell or measure any foam crush at all, replace the helmet.

Don’t beat yourself up—there are plenty of reasons you might end up storing a bike outside to contend with the winter elements. Ideally, we would all have indoor space to shelter our bikes under climate-controlled conditions. But as the owner of a tandem that refused to play friendly with my apartment stairs, I can attest that even beloved two-wheeled machines are sometimes too beastly and inconvenient to invite inside.

The most important rules to consider while riding a bike are Wear a Helmet: No matter what, always wear a helmet. Invest in a good quality helmet which fits you properly. Investing in a good helmet goes a long way. Proper riding gear: Safety comes first, if you're going for long rides, always wear proper riding gear to avoid any untoward incident. Don't be a squid: Ride safely and responsibly. Cutting lanes, overspeeding and reckless driving aren't cool, they're madness.