26 September 2023

Quad bike warning revved up for holidays

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The Ambassador for Queensland Safety with WorkSafe Queensland, Shane Webcke has called on parents to ensure their children stay safe if they are riding quad bikes during the school holidays.

“Kids obviously have time for lots of outside activities over the break and riding quad bikes is right up there, but the sobering fact is that quad bike-related injury and fatality statistics peak during school holidays,” Mr Webcke said.

“Some of the tragedies we have seen in the past involved children riding full-size bikes which they had no chance of controlling and, frustratingly, half were not even wearing a helmet,” he said.

Mr Webcke said there was no denying that quad bikes were useful on farms, but they were not toys and must be respected as they came with inherent risks.

“It’s just an absolute tragedy when a few basic safety rules are overlooked and the unthinkable happens,” he said.

“Children should ride only quad bikes suiting their size and weight, always wear a helmet and get proper training before they ride.”

Mr Webcke said recent changes to road rules also meant it was illegal to ride quads on a public road without wearing a helmet and to carry a passenger younger than eight, or too small to reach the footrests or handrails.

“New national standards are being phased in to reduce the risks associated with quad bikes,” he said.

“Phase two of the safety standard begins on 11 October and requires all new and imported second-hand general use quad bikes to be fitted with an operator protection device or have one integrated into their design — and to meet minimum requirements for stability,” Mr Webcke said.

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