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Bike Helmet @ Inner City 7 Eleven Stores for $5 Bucks. (Melbourne Only)

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Bike Helmet @ Inner City 7 Eleven Stores for $5 Bucks. (Melbourne Only)
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Besean on 19/10/2010 - 13:24 melbournebikeshare.com.au (2094 clicks)
Last edited 20/10/2010 - 19:58

Inner city 7 Eleven Stores are selling bike Helmets for $5 bucks each.

Melbourne City Council and the State Government are subsidizing these helmets to help the Melbourne Bike Share Scheme for a 3 month trial. There are no requirements to be a member to buy these helmets though. As per the article below, they are subsidizing around 8-10 bucks per helmet. (cost price around 15 bucks)

See http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/helmets-for-hire-in-bike-s…

I rank these helmets around the $20-$30 dollar retail mark in terms of quality (no brand names here). They come in different sizes and colours, and there is no need to be a member. You just rock up at any Inner City 7 Eleven store and buy over the counter. No Questions asked.

You can go to melbourne bike share's website to check out the Sale locations. The helmets are certified to be Australian Standard.

The good thing though is, if you decide to upgrade your helmet to a better one later on or don't like it after a while, or just want a replacement one, you can return it back to a 7 Eleven store and get $3 bucks back. So it's pretty much risk free.

The helmets themselves have an adjustable knob for the back strap (makes it very easy to adjust), proper padding inside, and a visor in front.

Someone below gave this link about Cheap and Expensive Helmets. Worth the read
http://www.bhsi.org/testbycost.htm

Fashion & Apparel Bicycle Helmet Helmet Melbourne Bike Share

Related Stores

Melbourne Bike Share
Melbourne Bike Share

closed Comments

  • tomsco on 19/10/2010 - 13:48
    +5

    Thought the bike share thing was a good idea, but hampered a bit by needed to carry your helmet around, but this makes it much more appealing.

    • neil on 19/10/2010 - 13:52

      The bargain is that you can buy helmets at $5 at 7/11s around the city and the places mentioned above. Most stores sell for much more.

      I've been in the market for a new helmet for a while, are the helmets any good?

      • diddy50 on 19/10/2010 - 14:00

        Well they do comply with AUS/NZ standards, which they must to be sold as a helmet in Australia…

        Any good? -> to wear…not sure

        • jv on 19/10/2010 - 15:51

          yes they do

      • Besean on 19/10/2010 - 14:01

        I just bought one. They seem pretty good. They have a visor in front, an adjustable knob behind for the back straps, and proper padding inside, so they haven't really cut any corners.

      • jv on 19/10/2010 - 16:01
        -8

        Other stores don't sell the same helmets… So you can't compare…

        Should I post Holden Commodores here for $36,990 RRP because they are cheaper than a Maserati ??? They are both cars are they not ???

        • heatseeker424 on 19/10/2010 - 16:37

          What does that have to do with it?
          Totally different proportions. The helmet costs $5, not $50,000.

          Should I post the Al Burj Dubai and compare it to a fibro shack?
          They are both places of accomodation are they not?

          • jv on 19/10/2010 - 17:09
            -3

            @heatseeker424: i was replying to a previous comment comparing helmets from other stores…

    • Besean on 19/10/2010 - 13:54

      It's a bargain because its only confirmed to be this price for a 3 month trial.. after that, they either disappear, the subsidy might not be as much, or you wouldn't be able to get a "new" helmet, because they plan to recycle it. Buy them while they are new!

      Furthermore, try getting a helmet for $5 bucks anywhere else.

      • jv on 19/10/2010 - 15:52

        they are $5 at southern cross station…

    • Obs on 19/10/2010 - 13:54

      Neg for this $5 helmet even if its everyday price is not justified. It's the same as TPG deals etc, everyday price but heaps of ppl vote + for them!

    • lolmao on 19/10/2010 - 21:44
      +4

      jv fail for negging this, it is a bargain because it is cheap

  • wying17 on 19/10/2010 - 14:08
    +1

    wonder how safe $5 helmets are..

    • georgejungle on 19/10/2010 - 15:48

      Meets the government standard, so you would have to say it's quite safe.

    • outlander on 19/10/2010 - 19:59
      +4

      As about as safe as any other small piece of foam expected to miraculously dissipate large forces acting on your skull.
      All its need to do is keep the trigger-happy fine police away and its served its purpose.
      $5 is -unbelievable- for a helmet. Cheapest I got one for was $15. And with the trade in, essentially this means you can rent a helmet for $2.

      I am wondering however what they do with the "recycled" helmets? Sounds like hair lice potential to me

    • shmahoo on 19/10/2010 - 23:00

      they're as safe as any other bike helmet. They'll be fine

      • jv on 20/10/2010 - 10:04
        -3

        actually they are not… they meet the minimum standard but that does not mean they are as safe as any other helmet… (unless of course you have some test data to verify your claim)

        • StewBalls on 20/10/2010 - 23:05

          unless of course you have some test data to verify your claim

          Have you got some studies tucked away to verify your position that these are less safe than the arbitrary "any other helmet" you mention? ;)

  • djones145 on 19/10/2010 - 14:26
    +1

    well if the government is subsidizing them you would hope they have researched and reveiw the product to be up to standard and safe

    we dont want another home installation mistake, where not enuff thinking was put into the policy before it went into play!

    • retiredfeline on 19/10/2010 - 15:49

      Oh dear no, we don't want people's heads bursting into flames. :)

    • daydream on 19/10/2010 - 20:40
      +2

      These are just as good as other basic helmets sold for $20+ in stores and comply with all Aust standards - It's illegal to sell a helmet in Aust which doesn't. Most helmets are just polystyrene with plastic trim and a soft foam insert, hardly complex technology. Expensive ones might simply be more stylish or have more holes for ventilation. Personal taste but they won't necessarily protect you any better.

      In terms of Govt research, got to love how VIC taxpayers are subsidising this :-( Most buyers will not be the intended market (users of the bike share scheme) so more money wasted. You should have to show your bike share receipt before being able to buy a subsidised helmet or something similar. "* A limit of two helmets per customer applies" is a joke condition too. Easy to work around. I wonder if a bike shop will clean out the stock and resell them?

      Bargain for some except the VIC government and in turn us VIC taxpayers.

      • retiredfeline on 19/10/2010 - 22:41
        +2

        Except that you will pay more to "subsidise" emergency treatment for bike accident victims.

        • daydream on 20/10/2010 - 02:06

          We'll be subsiding that anyway. Hope the visitors know about hook turns (right turns from the left lane) and wet tram tracks and that they have insurance too ;-)

  • xception on 19/10/2010 - 14:27
    +2

    Flying to melbourne in next few weeks, looks like I'll be taking a helmet back :D :D :D

    • SydGuy on 19/10/2010 - 15:53

      If you are flying Tiger, you might need to wear it on the plane so you dont get stung with excess baggage!

      • elguapo on 19/10/2010 - 18:15
        +1

        and Tiger may class it as sporting goods and slug you $25 to bring it on board.

        • StewBalls on 19/10/2010 - 21:55

          Tell them you suffer from ataxic falls! ;)

      • shmahoo on 19/10/2010 - 23:01
        +4

        if you are flying Tiger, I'd recommend wearing it on the plane.
        Just saying.

        • retiredfeline on 19/10/2010 - 23:19

          Qantas too I'm sure. Didn't some passengers get bounced around on a flight and are now suing?

    • jv on 19/10/2010 - 15:56
      -8

      then you wont get your $3 refund…

  • uraha on 19/10/2010 - 15:43

    hmm…haven't seen the vending machine at southern cross

    • jv on 19/10/2010 - 15:54
      -3

      ask at the information desk…

      • Besean on 19/10/2010 - 15:56
        +3

        buy at 7 Eleven instead. You can try the size and pick your colour.

  • octagonalman on 19/10/2010 - 19:21

    The vending machine itself looks pretty cool with the rotating platform.

  • lolmao on 19/10/2010 - 21:43
    +2

    $5 bucks? its $5 or 5 bucks

  • StewBalls on 19/10/2010 - 21:58
    +3

    Perspective: Five bucks won't get you a decent burger nowadays! :p

    This $5 will get you something that might just save your life! ;)

    Conclusion: WIN!!! :D

    • octagonalman on 19/10/2010 - 21:59
      +1

      But cycling on an empty stomach can be fatal! =(

      • shmahoo on 19/10/2010 - 23:02

        but better than cycling on someone ELSE's empty stomach

        • infernal_max on 20/10/2010 - 01:47

          cycling decreases the time and distance from you and food though!

      • moooooooo on 20/10/2010 - 02:14
        +2

        Buy the helmet for $5.
        Return it and receive $3.

        Conclusion: The helmet has cost you $2.

        Instead, take your $2 and go to Donut King.
        Buy 6 donuts and sticky-tape them strategically around your head.

        If you do fall off your bike, even if you crack your head open and are unconscious, at least you won't be eaten immediately by rodents and ants - they'll start with the delicious donuts first. This will give you more time to be found and taken to hospital before you're devoured by pestilence.

        Conclusion: Win?

        • retiredfeline on 20/10/2010 - 02:33
          +3

          On the other hand the first rodent might post his discovery on OzRodentBargain and before you can say squeak, you have a horde of them devouring you. lol!

        • jv on 20/10/2010 - 10:06
          -1

          The helmet doesn't cost you $2, it is $2 only if you hire it… To keep it it is $5.

  • _Dan_ on 20/10/2010 - 04:07
    -1

    I won't vote on this deal, however…

    Before buying a helmet you need to ask yourself the question,
    How much is your head worth?
    Although this helmet meets all the safety standards, I would prefer a helmet that exceeds the safety standards, the larger the margin, the better.
    I'm not saying you need to buy a $75 helmet, but you do need to think about how well this will hold up in a very serious accident compaired to a better quality helmet.
    In the unlikey event you get a phone call about your child having been in an accident, is this helmet still a bargain?

    • shmahoo on 20/10/2010 - 07:27

      My 2c worth:

      These helmets are AS compliant. Therefore they are as safe as just about anything else on the market. The main difference (and therefore with price as well) will be with advertising, branding, and perceived style - (do you remember Stackhats?)

      In my opinion these helmets will be perfectly safe (AS Standards, remember) but like ANY bike helmet is limited by how well they fit your or your chiild's head, and how well the straps have been adjusted.

      In my opinion, this variable is far more potentially detrimental to safety levels than the brand of helmet.

      (I'm not trying to start a fight on here. But if I have to, I wanna take on the guy/girl who suggested the "donuts taped to your head" idea!)

      • moooooooo on 20/10/2010 - 18:47
        +1

        Bring it on! ;-)

        • shmahoo on 20/10/2010 - 21:33

          :o)

    • slow on 20/10/2010 - 08:54
      +2

      These helmets are probably safer than some of the expensive ones, whose goal is to be as light, thin and aerodynamic as possible whilst still just meeting the standards

      • StewBalls on 20/10/2010 - 17:15

        Dunno who'd neg you for a very reasonable hypothesis? I don't know for sure myself, but it sounds a fair bit like commonsense to me!

        I'd be happy enough to hear a cogent argument to the contrary though, if one exists! ;)

    • daydream on 20/10/2010 - 17:34

      How would a consumer choose a helment that "exceeds" the safety standards given there is no measure of that provided in Australia (unlike differently graded sunglasses for example)? You are assuming higher price = safer. Without proof that is an assumption. The price difference is much more likely to represent brand and style given cheap foam/polystyrene is what we are talking about as the main safety component in all helmets.

      ie, A t-shirt sold in Kmart is just as "safe" as a big brand name one in David Jones (Kmart one might even be better material/construction or the same plain t-shirt with a different print). Marketing often brainwashes people to part with more money than needed. Perceived peer pressure does the rest.

  • huwcar on 20/10/2010 - 09:14

    Good bargain, no matter what your weak argument in the negative are. Good bargain.

  • shmahoo on 20/10/2010 - 10:43

    Just a thought. When "considering" buying second hand furniture for my infant kids, I have been told to never buy second hand prams, car seats, bike helmets, because there is sometimes no way of knowing if they have been involved in an accident, and we all know that if a helmet or similar has been involved in a heavy knock, its strength might be severely compromised if reused and there is another impact.

    Could this be a concern if you buy or rent a "used" bike helmet? The more I think about it, the more I don't like it. But for the purposes of this forum, it is a great bargain, if $5 for a new bike helmet with no strings (or someone else's hair) attached.

    • octagonalman on 20/10/2010 - 10:44
      +1

      So let's stock up now while we know they are still new!~

  • c64 on 20/10/2010 - 11:50
    +4

    This might be useful: http://www.bhsi.org/testbycost.htm.

    I think the difference compared to more expensive helmets is more ventilation holes, less weight and styling. You can spend more on a helmet, but it won't necessarily mean you are getting a safer helmet. I think the most important consideration is to wear a properly fitting helmet.

    • octagonalman on 20/10/2010 - 14:49
      +1

      Also important is spending some time fitting it correctly - I saw some people on the 50km Around the Bay in a day with helmets at such an angle that it looked like it was going to slip off the back of their heads.

  • auMouth on 20/10/2010 - 14:22
    +1

    Great deal! Just got mine, and they are an excellent buy for $5.00
    They are a brand of Bodyworx by http://www.gpi.com.au. Mine is model V-9

    By comparison, they are VERY similar in style and design to the Rosebank Blast that you can see @ http://www.bigw.com.au/sports-leisure/bikes/helmets for $28

  • octagonalman on 20/10/2010 - 23:32
    +2

    Here's more pics of the real thing:
    http://ocau.com/pix/urseh
    http://ocau.com/pix/myjh4
    http://ocau.com/pix/tuj5r

    • octagonalman on 21/10/2010 - 23:10

      On closer inspection the velcro stickers are not well-placed inside and the fabric/foam padding on the twist-tightener appears to be peeling off into the different layers.

  • kcyw on 21/10/2010 - 23:03

    Got mine today. 3 sizes, S, M, L. Only 1 colour/design at Lygon St, all black.

    The large size is not very big, it was barely wide enough to fit my big head. I wish the visor at the front goes further though, it's not going to shade my eyes from the sun unless I look down most of the time.

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