Contact Consumer Protection
Tel: 1300 30 40 54
consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au
See all Consumer Protection office locations
Quad bikes have a number of design features that create risks for users, particularly when used on uneven or sloped ground. Losing control of a quad bike can cause it to flip or roll over causing death or serious injury.
A quad bike (also known as an all-terrain vehicle or ATV) is an off-road motorised vehicle that travels on four wheels, with a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control. All vehicles that meet this description, including those that are propelled by a combustion engine and an electric engine, are considered to be quad bikes.
There have been at least 136 fatalities associated with quad bike use during 2011–19. Around 15 per cent of deaths involve children. More than half of all quad bike deaths are because of rollovers. The main causes of death by rollovers are asphyxiation, crush and head injuries.
Quad bikes are one of the leading causes of death and serious injury on Australian farms.
Children are at greater risk of serious injury and death while operating quads. Adult sized quad bikes should not be operated by children. Even the smaller youth quads have been involved in fatal incidents in Australia.
Quad bike accidents are common and can happen very easily, so always take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and children.
Follow these safety steps when using quad bikes to help you, your loved ones, friends and work colleagues stay safe.
The Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019 came into effect on 11 October 2019. The purpose of the standard is to prevent or reduce the risk of fatality or injury associated with the use of quad bikes.
Suppliers must comply with a safety standard when they sell you a new quad bike. This standard specifies requirements for all quad bikes supplied from 11 October 2020 and additional requirements for general use quad bikes supplied from 11 October 2021. The standard does not apply to second-hand quad bikes other than those imported into Australia.
From 11 October 2020, suppliers must:
The hang tag will tell you the minimum angle at which the quad bike tipped sideways on to two wheels when it was tested. Quad bikes with higher numbers are more stable.
The hang tag will allow you to compare the stability of different models within a particular category of quad bikes. For example, if you are looking for a youth quad bike, you can compare the stability of different models of youth quad bikes. The hang tag should not be used to compare across categories, for example, to compare a youth quad bike with a general use quad bike, as the stability tests are different.
The rollover warning label is a permanent label fixed to the quad bike to remind the user about the risk of rollovers, and how to avoid them.
From 11 October 2021, general use quad bikes must also:
Sixty per cent of quad bike fatalities occur when the quad bike rolls over.
From 11 October 2021, general use quad bikes must have an operator protection device fitted or integrated into its design so that, if the quad bike rolls over, the quad bike is held off the ground, and the rider can avoid injury or death as a result of being crushed or pinned by the weight of the quad bike.
This image shows one of the two models of OPDs specified in the safety standard. A device that offers the same or better level of protection can also be used.
Under the standard, quad bike and after-market OPD manufacturers can develop their own designs for innovative OPDs to protect operators. For example, the Quadbar model has been upgraded to the Quadbar Flexi.
If a supplier does not comply with the safety standard, the supplier may be in breach of the Australian Consumer Law which can result in fines and penalties. If you think that a supplier has contravened the safety standard, you can report this to the ACCC.
This poster outlines the changes required for all quad bikes from 11 October 2020 and additional requirements for all general use quad bikes from 11 October 2021.
For advice contact the product safety unit by email or call 1300 304 054.
Last modified: