Quad bike rules now in play

Outlook

Quad bike rules now in play

New safety standards for the use of quad bikes came into effect during Queensland’s Safe Work Month. Now, if you want to buy a new or second-hand imported general-use quad bike, it must be fitted with operator protection device (OPD). This means all general-use ATVs must have an OPD fitted into the bike or integrated into its design. These OPDs can be either an ATV Lifeguard, manufactured by Ag-Tech Industries; a Quadbar, manufactured by QB Industries; or a device that offers the same, or better, level of protection for operators. At this stage, existing quad bikes owned by Australian farmers do not need to be retrospectively fitted with an OPD. ATVs must also meet requirements for lateral stability and front and rear longitudinal pitch stability. For lateral stability, quad bikes must meet a minimum tilt table ratio of 0.55, this means it must not tip onto two wheels on a slope of less than 28.81 degrees. The minimum tilt table ratio for front and rear longitudinal pitch stability is 0.8, meaning it must not tip onto two wheels on a slope of less than 38.65 degrees. Queensland’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Shannon Fentiman, said that general use quad bikes will now be required to meet more stringent stability. “These changes are absolutely vital to improve the safety of quad bikes and help reduce the high number of quad bike related deaths and injuries in Australia,” Minister Fentiman said. “Over the past 10 years, 166 people have died in quad bike related incidents, and sadly six people have been killed this year. “Many of the people who died were working at the time, on farms and at other rural workplaces. In fact, from January 2011 to 21 December 2018, Safe Work Australia found that 62 fatalities occurred whilst the rider was using their quad bike for work purposes. “Due to the nature of rural work, quad bikes are often driven over rocky or uneven ground, crossing slopes, towing attachments, or carrying heavy or unstable loads. All these things increase the risk of a rollover significantly. “While the new safety standard will go a long way to help reduce serious injury or fatality when using quad bikes, there are still responsibilities that fall into the hands of the rider and workplace management.” Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading, together with their interstate counterparts and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, will ramp up quad bike safety compliance as one of their shared national priorities.

To read more about the quad bike changes, click or scan the QR code. The second stage of quad bike safety standards are now in place.

Prepare safe

• Decide if a quad bike is really the right vehicle for the activity. • When you purchase a new quad bike, use the hang tag information to compare the stability of different models. • Ensure you are properly trained before you ride a quad bike. • Maintain the bike so it is in safe condition. • Read the owner’s manual and observe the manufacturer’s safety warnings and recommended use of the vehicle. • Before you leave for a quad bike ride, always tell someone where you plan to go and when you expect to return.

Wear safe

• Always wear a helmet. • Wear protective clothing and gear such as goggles, long sleeves, long pants, boots and gloves.

Ride safe

• Never let children ride quad bikes that are meant for adults – even as passengers. • Do not carry any passengers on quad bikes that are meant for one person. • Quad bikes are not all-terrain vehicles so they cannot go safely on all types of terrain. Avoid riding on rough terrain or steep slopes. • Ride on familiar tracks and beware of obstacles. • Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs. • Always supervise children near any quad bike activity. • Always carry a mobile phone or radio device so you can contact help in the case of an emergency.