Quad Bike Safety Standard
Find out what the Quad Bikes Safety Standard means for you.
Quad bikes continue to be the biggest killer on Australian farms, with roll over the leading cause of death. This is why the Australian Government has introduced a safety standard – to protect quad bike users.
Key information
The Quad Bike Safety Standard was first introduced on 11 October 2019 and has come into effect in two stages:
The safety standard applies to all new and second-hand imported quad bikes. This includes all general use (utility, work or agricultural), sports and youth quad bikes.
From 11 October 2020 (Stage 1)
- There must be a roll over warning sticker fixed on the quad bike.
- The owner’s manual must have information about the risk of rollover, and
- There must be a yellow stability hang tag attached to the quad bike.
These tell you the minimum angle at which the quad bike started to tip sideways on two wheels during testing.
Hang tag lateral stability values should be used only for comparing different quad bikes in the same category (general use, sports or youth models).
The higher the number, the better the stability for that given quad bike category.
The hang tag stability value does not indicate the maximum actual slope incline that the quad bike is safe to operate in the field.
Variables such as surface and tyre conditions, operator weight, riding style and skill, speed, etc. can reduce the stability angle dramatically.
For your safety check quad bike stability test results before you buy and choose a quad bike that is more stable.
From 11 October 2021 (Stage 2)
Roll bars mandatory at point of sale
From 11 October 2021, all general-use new and second-hand imported quad bikes must have an operator protective device (OPD) pre-fitted or integrated into the design at point of sale to reduce serious injury or death from a rollover.
What is an Operator Protection Device (OPD)?
OPDs, also known as roll bars, are designed to protect you from being crushed or pinned underneath the weight of the quad bike in the event of a roll over.
Which OPD needs to be fitted at point of sale?
The quad bike you are purchasing must be fitted with either:
- an ATV Lifeguard,
- a Quadbar, or
- a device that offers the same (or better) level of protection for operators from the risk of serious injury or death as a result of being crushed or pinned in the event of a rollover.
Image: Quad bar flexi (top) and ATV Lifeguard (bottom)
More information
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC): Product safety standards - Quad bikes