Quad bike roll bar now mandatory

The Australian Government has today announced a binding new safety standard for quad bikes in a bid to prevent further ATV-related casualties.

Under the new standard, operator protection devices (OPD) or roll bars will have to be fitted on all new quad bikes within two years.

Within 12 months, quad bikes are required to have a rollover-warning label fixed, as well as meeting US and European standards in regards to performance of components such as brakes, throttle and clutch.

They will also need to meet minimum stability requirements.

"Quad bikes are the leading cause of fatalities in Australia of all consumer products that aren't regulated," said Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar, who announced the new regulations on behalf of the federal government.

"This safety standard aims to address the high risk of rollovers, which is especially important for many of our farmers and their families who use these vehicles daily.”

The new standard adopts recommendations put forward by the ACCC in March 2018 following extensive consultation with quad bike manufacturers, farmers, academics and more.

As expected, the new standards have polarised ATV stakeholders.

ACCC Commissioner, Mick Keogh, welcomed the announcement.

“We know that around 60 per cent of quad bike fatalities are caused by rollovers, and the operator dies from asphyxia in around half of these,” he said.

“Research indicates that roughly 50 per cent of these operators would have survived the crash had they not been crushed or pinned by the quad bike.

“These changes are an important step in improving the safety of quad bikes, and we look forward to working with farmers, manufacturers and retailers, to implement the standard.”

The National Farmers Federation (NFF), which has been calling for a new set of safety standards governing quad bike use and manufacturing, has also applauded the government’s decision.

"Today’s result is nothing short of life-saving," said NFF CEO, Tony Mahar.

"Quad bike accidents have already claimed nine lives this year and 230 since 2011, about half from rollovers.

“OPDs have been proven time and time again to shield riders in the event of a rollover preventing life-ending or life-altering injuries.

"The safety standard will save lives and protect farmers from crippling injury and be key to achieving zero farm-related deaths by 2030.”

Earlier this year, several leading ATV manufacturers including Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki threatened to withdraw from the local ATV market if the ACCC’s roll bar recommendations were made mandatory.

The companies, alongside other organisations such as the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (which also represents Kawasaki, BRP and Polaris) and international research company, Dynamic Research, Inc, have refuted claims that roll bars are effective in saving lives in the event of a rollover.

Several key ATV manufacturers have criticised the government’s decision, questioning the ability of the new standard to save lives.

“There is an unresolved question regarding the legal obligations pursuant to the fitment of such a device,” they said in a statement released by the FCAI on behalf of the companies.

“Who will be responsible should a fatality or injury be attributable to the untested device? The device manufacturer? The ATV manufacturer? The fitting agent? The Government for legislating their fitment?”

The manufacturers have re-emphasised the importance of proper education and the implementation of tried-and-true safety practices such as wearing a helmet in ensuring the safety of ATV users.

“Employers and workplaces should complete a risk assessment of ATV use in their workplace to ensure potential risks are identified, and that measures are put in place to reduce these risks,” they said.

The new standard is effective as of October 11, 2019.