A quad bike (also known as an all-terrain vehicle or ATV)

• is an off-road motorised vehicle
• travels on four wheels
• has a seat which is designed to be straddled by the rider
• handlebars for steering control.
• can have a combustion or electric engine
• are not all terrain vehicles.

Risks and injuries

Quad bikes have several design features creating potential risks for users. A rider can lose control riding on uneven or sloped ground and easily roll-over causing serious injury or death.

Quad bikes are the leading cause of death and serious injury on Australian farms. About 15 Australians die per year from a Quad bike accident. Many of these fatalities have involved children. More than half of all quad bike deaths are because of rollovers. 

Safe use of quad bikes

Adult sized quad bikes should not be operated by children. Even the youth quads have been involved in fatal incidents in Australia.

Follow these safety steps when using quad bikes.

Prepare safe

• Decide if a quad bike is the right vehicle for the activity.
• Look out for the hang tag to compare the stability of different models.
• Ensure you are properly trained before you ride a quad bike.
• Regularly do maintenance checks on the bike to keep it in a safe condition.
• Read the owner's manual. Check the manudacturer's safety warnings.
• Always tell someone when going for a ride. Tell them where you are going 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/hand protection.

Ride safe

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

Quad bike case study - Carmen's story

Safety standard for Quad bikes

The Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019 came into effect on 11 October 2019. 

Suppliers must follow the standard when they sell you a new quad bike. The standard specifies requirements for selling and general use of quad bikes. 

The standard does not apply to second-hand quad bikes other than those imported into Australia. 

Suppliers must:

• hang a tag on the quad bike showing the stability test result of the bike. It helps to compare different models safety.
• fix a warning label to the quad bike showing the risk of rollover;
• include, in the owner’s manual, information on the risk of rollover; and
• meet certain requirements in the US or European standards for quad bikes.

General use quad bikes must also:

• have an operator protection device (OPD) attached. These help protect riders in the event of a rollover; and
• meet minimum stability requirements.

This image shows one of the two models of OPDs specified in the safety standard. 

Reporting a supplier

Suppliers who do not follow the safety standard may face fines and penalties. Suppliers can be report to the ACCC.

Downloads

Poster

This poster covers the requirements for all quad bikes and general use quad bikes.

Download the A4 poster.