The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reported that an assessment of quad bikes across Australia, following the introduction of a new national safety standard in October last year, has revealed that 84 per cent are now compliant.
The assessment involved the ACCC, together with State and Territory Consumer Protection Agencies, in a coordinated effort to determine whether quad bike suppliers had complied with the Stage One requirements of the Quad Bike Safety Standard (2019).
Deputy Chair of the ACCC, Mick Keogh said the standard was introduced in 2019 to improve the safety of quad bikes, which were a leading cause of death and serious injuries on Australian farms.
“In the past decade, 163 people have died in quad bike-related incidents, three of which have occurred so far this year,” Mr Keogh said.
“The standard has been introduced in two stages, to provide manufacturers time to make necessary adjustments to quad bikes.”
He said Stage One required that all new and imported second-hand quad bikes sold in Australia be tested for lateral static stability; have a hang tag attached to them showing the angle at which the quad bike tipped onto two wheels; and carry a roll-over warning label on the bike.
“The owner’s manual must also include roll-over safety information,” Mr Keogh said.
“Although 16 per cent of quad bikes inspected, or roughly one in six, were not compliant with the safety standard, suppliers have so far co-operated with our investigations and taken steps to fix problems, including recalling non-compliant bikes where necessary.”
He said Stage Two would come into effect on 11 October and all new and second-hand imported general use quad bikes sold in Australia must be fitted with operator protection devices and meet minimum stability requirements.
“The second stage requirements are absolutely critical for improving the safety of quad bikes and saving lives,” Mr Keogh said.
Further information on the safety standard can be accessed at this PS News link.
