News

First stage quad bike safety measures now mandatory

Beef Central, 12/10/2020
ALL new and imported second hand quad bikes sold in Australia must now meet the first stage of the government’s mandatory safety standard after it came into effect on 11 October.

As of Sunday, Oct 11, all new and imported second hand quad bikes sold in Australia must be tested for lateral static stability, display the angle at which the quad bike tips onto two wheels on a hang tag at the point of sale, and carry a roll over warning label on the quad bike. The owner’s manual must also include roll over safety information.

Additionally, the quad bikes must be fitted with a spark arrester that conforms to the Australian or United States standard, and meet certain requirements of the United States or European quad bike safety standards. These relate to equipment such as brakes, clutch, throttle, tyres, drive train, handlebars and foot wells, maximum speed capabilities and the provision of safety information through warning labels and hang tags.

“This first stage of the standard is a significant step in improving the safety of quad bikes in Australia, and addressing the extremely concerning rate of injuries and fatalities caused by quad bike accidents,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

“Consumers will now be able to have confidence that quad bikes they buy will meet a certain level of quality and safety.”

Safework Australia data shows 152 people have died from incidents involving quad bikes since 2011, including 23 children. It is estimated that hundreds of people also present to hospital emergency departments each year as a result of quad bike related injuries.

There have already been 16 fatalities this year, double last year’s toll.

Most quad bike accidents involve a vehicle rollover, which can result in victims dying from injuries associated with being crushed by the quad bike.

“We know rollovers are one of the greatest risks to quad bike riders. The new hang tags will allow riders to quickly compare the stability of similar quad bikes when they are shopping around, and the warning label will remind quad bike users of the risks while riding,” Mr Keogh said.

Additional requirements for new and second hand imported general use quad bikes will become mandatory in one year’s time, which include the fitting or integration of operator protection devices and minimum stability requirements.

“Safe riding precautions remain crucial. Always wear helmets and the right safety gear, complete the necessary training, and never let children ride adult quad bikes.”

The ACCC is working with state and territory Australian Consumer Law regulators to conduct surveillance activities to ensure suppliers are complying with the standard. Non-compliance may attract fines and penalties.

Consumers and businesses can make a complaint to the ACCC if they believe they have seen or have been sold a quad bike that does not comply with the requirements of the standard.

More information for consumers and businesses or suppliers is available on the Product Safety Australia website.

Background:

In October 2019, the Federal Government accepted the ACCC’s recommendation to introduce a new mandatory safety standard for quad bikes.

The safety standard has two stages.

Under stage 1, which came into effect on 11 October 2020, all new quad bikes and imported second-hand quad bikes must now:

  • meet the requirements within sections 4 to 8 of the US quad bike Standard, ANSI/SVIA 1-2017 or sections 5 to 7 of the EN 15997:2011 Standard, and have a spark arrester installed that conforms to AS 1019-2000 or US 5100-d Standards
  • be tested for lateral static stability using a tilt table test and display the angle at which they tip onto two wheels on a hang tag at the point of sale
  • have a durable label affixed, visible and legible when the quad bike is in operation, alerting the operator to the risk of rollover, and must include rollover safety information in the owner’s manual.

Stage 2, which requires the fitting of operator protection devices and minimum stability requirements for new and second hand imported general use quad bikes, will become mandatory in one year’s time.

A supplier may be found guilty of a criminal offence if they fail to comply with a mandatory safety or information standard. The maximum fine is $500 000 for individuals and for a body corporate, the greater of:

  • $10 000 000
  • three times the value of the benefit received, or
  • 10% of annual turnover in the preceding 12 months, if a court cannot determine the benefit obtained from the offence.

Civil penalties for the same amounts also apply.

Source: ACCC

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Comments

  1. Giles Atkinson, 15/10/2020

    There are statistics and there are statistics and if the academics who interpret them and make the recommendations to the legislatures have no real experience of Quad bikes we end up with laws such as these. To clarify when you present to emergency dead or badly injured from a quad bike accident the first question that would be asked is how did this happen, I hazard at a guess that the answer most people would give is that it was a quad bike roll over.
    I know every situation is different, I know of 2 deaths and many injuries from quad bikes in our area and none has been from a roll over. All have been from an end for end when striking an unseen object at speed.

  2. Garrey Sellars, 13/10/2020

    this is the biggest load of bull….. why dont you try to reduce the road toll by making an equivalent mandatory fitment of a full rollcage in ALL cars see if that works How many are farm related and with experience and how many are weekend worries on farms because the cant ride them any where else
    These are a vital tool for farm use and we are at this point will be limited to one inferior CHINESE brand which does not meet stability test compared to other well known brands
    so this limits competition ,Ithought the ACCCwas to enable competition Call me 0428263531 Garrey

  3. Peter Magoffin, 13/10/2020

    Ok quads can be dangerous and I know that better than most. But in the last 20 years they have become higher off the ground, and more powerful and faster than before, maybe a few restrictions in those areas wouldn’t go astray.
    What I do think is Bullbars that are not made by the manufacturer should be banned first, and all people should do a safety course first before buying them.
    And the use of helmets should also be law.
    But then how many people get hurt using horses – what’s the numbers?

  4. Russ, 13/10/2020

    Sad 152 including children died. Government had to act. That it took 9 years is that greatest shame. Plain fact, pretty soon you won’t get insurance for on farm accidents unless all equipment conforms to a set standard of safety just like all other businesses and workplaces. A farmer won’t be able to fix his own tractor/equipment cause your not qualified mechanics, cause if it breaks and hurts someone then your liable.

  5. Richard Golden, 12/10/2020

    May as well run my colours up the mast.
    I’m very disappointed that after owning and using quad bikes for my business for 30 years and with my family and staff doing the same as they were hired or became 12 years old we have not had an incident requiring medical treatment.
    It is very irritating to have my industry reps batting on my behalf for attachments that will render my main mustering and maintenance tool at best difficult to use and at worst unusable.
    How many people died at the wheel of a car?

  6. Carina James, 12/10/2020

    Yup – nothing like being responsible for your own actions.
    I suppose the powers that be will be after our horses next – maybe they will need stability bars fitted.
    Or self driving vehicles as we are too useless and irresponsible to operate it ourselves.
    More Control – less freedom.

  7. Darryl Wright, 12/10/2020

    If we have to have the roll Over bar how about fitting a indicator mechanism to the front of the bike to indicate if it is going to clear or not going to clear an obstacle.

    • Garrey Sellars, 14/10/2020

      extremely good point as this bar cna be seen on the inferior CFmoto from China will cause the atv to be pulled over back wards if you are in timbered country we have plenty

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