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Questions 1 - 11
1. The ACCC has proposed five policy options. Which is your preferred option and why do you prefer it to the others?
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Policy option 1
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Policy option 4
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Policy option 5
1. The ACCC has proposed five options. Which is your preferred option and why do you prefer it to the others?
There are ways to improve quad bikes so they're safer, such as limiting the engine size, having a standard for their COG, reverse beepers, throttle locks etc etc to name a few. Also making them to cater for OPDs better would be beneficial.
So if a standard could be put in place for changes to be made that will help make quads safer, that would be great. For all the models already out there, a kit of retro fit accessories could be made up to suit, and this could be fitted when servicing the bike.
Making it mandatory to fit OPD's to quad bikes may not be the best as there are some circumstances where they aren't beneficial. If OPDs were made mandatory, perhaps if the owner of the quad bike could prove/demonstrate why an OPD would be an issue, and if this was a valid reason, they'd be exempt.
Regarding SSVs, there needs to be super good training about these and when they are more beneficial than a quad bike. They're a lot larger, handle totally different, and mustn't be ridden like a quad. The safety features on them must be used (doors, seat belts, hand brakes etc) otherwise they become a lot more dangerous than a quad. It may be beneficial implementing a licence program for these. They should also have a standard for COG and could have a warning system on them for when they get to a certain angle.
So if a standard could be put in place for changes to be made that will help make quads safer, that would be great. For all the models already out there, a kit of retro fit accessories could be made up to suit, and this could be fitted when servicing the bike.
Making it mandatory to fit OPD's to quad bikes may not be the best as there are some circumstances where they aren't beneficial. If OPDs were made mandatory, perhaps if the owner of the quad bike could prove/demonstrate why an OPD would be an issue, and if this was a valid reason, they'd be exempt.
Regarding SSVs, there needs to be super good training about these and when they are more beneficial than a quad bike. They're a lot larger, handle totally different, and mustn't be ridden like a quad. The safety features on them must be used (doors, seat belts, hand brakes etc) otherwise they become a lot more dangerous than a quad. It may be beneficial implementing a licence program for these. They should also have a standard for COG and could have a warning system on them for when they get to a certain angle.
2. If you are a quad bike manufacturer, importer or retailer what impact will these options have on your business? For example, how much will it cost to implement each of the requirements, (design changes and testing), and what is the likely effect on sales and the model range?
2. If you are a quad bike manufacturer, importer or retailer what impact will these options have on your business? For example, how much will it cost to implement each of the requirements, (design changes and testing), and what is the likely effect on sales and the model range?
N/A
3. If you are a quad bike user, what would be the impact of the proposed options?
If you are a quad bike user, what would be the impact of the proposed options?
We've only got two quad bikes, so only option 1 would be an issue - happy to do anything that may help save a life!
Option 1. Not a good idea
Option 2. This is good
Option 3. No impact to us
Option 4. I guess we'd have to replace our bikes, as I don't know if the ones we have could be adapted.
Option 5. Same as 4 for us.
Option 1. Not a good idea
Option 2. This is good
Option 3. No impact to us
Option 4. I guess we'd have to replace our bikes, as I don't know if the ones we have could be adapted.
Option 5. Same as 4 for us.
4. What effect will each of the proposed options have in saving lives and reducing deaths?
4. What effect will each of the proposed options have in saving lives and reducing deaths?
Option 1. Deaths and injury won't reduce.
Option 2. Would be a great start
Option 3. Should have a lot of effect - even if OPDs don't save everyone, they will save a lot more than they injure (as a product itself)
Option 4. Would reduce deaths and injury
Option 5. Would reduce deaths and injury
Option 2. Would be a great start
Option 3. Should have a lot of effect - even if OPDs don't save everyone, they will save a lot more than they injure (as a product itself)
Option 4. Would reduce deaths and injury
Option 5. Would reduce deaths and injury
5. The US Standard requires a number of general warning labels to be affixed to the quad bike. The ACCC is proposing additional labels and information in the owners’ manual, alerting the operator to the risk of rollovers and differential selection. Provide comment on these two additional labels (see section 8.6 of the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement)
5. The US Standard requires a number of general warning labels to be affixed to the quad bike. The ACCC is proposing additional labels and information in the owners’ manual, alerting the operator to the risk of rollovers and differential selection. Provide comment on these two additional labels (see section 8.6 of the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement)
This would be worthwhile, as it is an easy thing to do, wouldn't cost much, could be added to bikes already out there as well as new ones, and if it resulted in saving one life it would be more than worthwhile.
The only thing with labels on quads, is they are generally ignored and/or are covered in mud! Part of the new safety standard could include these labels must be visible at all times.
The only thing with labels on quads, is they are generally ignored and/or are covered in mud! Part of the new safety standard could include these labels must be visible at all times.
6. Provide comment on the current model of the safety star rating system (see Attachment A of the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement).
6. Provide comment on the current model of the safety star rating system
It's a detailed system with great focus on stability - ideally if there's options that stop these vehicles tipping, that will save a huge percentage of deaths and injury going forward.
SSVs need clear standards about their safety features - if the low side doors, safety nets, seat belts aren't used, or are removed, this will change their safety rating dramatically
SSVs need clear standards about their safety features - if the low side doors, safety nets, seat belts aren't used, or are removed, this will change their safety rating dramatically
7. In Option 3, the ACCC has suggested some safety and operational criteria that an Operator Protection Device (OPD), designed to protect the operator in the event of a rollover, could meet. What are your views on the proposed criterion an OPD may be required to meet? Should additional criteria be imposed?
7. In Option 3, the ACCC has suggested some safety and operational criteria that an Operator Protection Device (OPD), designed to protect the operator in the event of a rollover, could meet. What are your views on the proposed criterion an OPD may be required to meet? Should additional criteria be imposed?
OPD's themselves need a service plan.
'Home made' options aren't really an option - some maybe fine, but to monitor this if it was an option would almost be impossible (checking every one that was made to make sure it's okay)
A note about OPDs - I think they need to been viewed like seat belts in a car. In some cases they may be more dangerous, but they will prevent a injury and deaths from occurring than what they'll cause.
I can see that if they were made mandatory, then someone was killed as a result of fitting an OPD, the reaction would be nasty. I guess it would be hard to prove if the OPD wasn't fitted, if the death would of been prevented, but if the decision is made to make them mandatory, I think it would need to be made clear this isn't the resolution to prevent 'every death'.
Although it's very unclear when the last person was killed on a quad by an OPD itself, if every quad was fitted with one, going forward this could to happen due to the nature of what we're dealing with.
Using the example of roll bars on tractors is very similar - this had a huge impact of reducing deaths but some still occur.
'Home made' options aren't really an option - some maybe fine, but to monitor this if it was an option would almost be impossible (checking every one that was made to make sure it's okay)
A note about OPDs - I think they need to been viewed like seat belts in a car. In some cases they may be more dangerous, but they will prevent a injury and deaths from occurring than what they'll cause.
I can see that if they were made mandatory, then someone was killed as a result of fitting an OPD, the reaction would be nasty. I guess it would be hard to prove if the OPD wasn't fitted, if the death would of been prevented, but if the decision is made to make them mandatory, I think it would need to be made clear this isn't the resolution to prevent 'every death'.
Although it's very unclear when the last person was killed on a quad by an OPD itself, if every quad was fitted with one, going forward this could to happen due to the nature of what we're dealing with.
Using the example of roll bars on tractors is very similar - this had a huge impact of reducing deaths but some still occur.
8. Provide comment on the minimum performance criteria (see Attachment D in the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement) and the requirement for general-use model quad bikes to be able to have all wheels of the vehicle be able to rotate at different speeds, referred to in Option 4.
8. Provide comment on the minimum performance criteria (see Attachment D in the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement) and the requirement for general-use model quad bikes to be able to have all wheels of the vehicle be able to rotate at different speeds, referred to in Option 4.
This is very detailed - awesome work! I could add to it.
Regarding the wheels being able to rotate at different speeds, have tests been done on a bike that can do this to see what the outcome is?
Regarding the wheels being able to rotate at different speeds, have tests been done on a bike that can do this to see what the outcome is?
9. Options 3, 4 and 5 do not propose additional design solutions for SSVs and sport and youth quad bikes. If your view is that one or more of these vehicles should be subject to additional design solutions to improve safety, do you have information and data you can provide to the ACCC in support of this view?
9. Options 3, 4 and 5 do not propose additional design solutions for SSVs and sport and youth quad bikes. If your view is that one or more of these vehicles should be subject to additional design solutions to improve safety, do you have information and data you can provide to the ACCC in support of this view?
All SSVs should have small half doors down by your legs - a huge issue is if they start to tip, people stick their leg out to try and stop it (like they would of on a quad) but the SSV is too heavy so they break their leg.
10. Provide comment on the transition period for the proposed options (see Section 8.8 in the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement).
10. Provide comment on the transition period for the proposed options (see Section 8.8 in the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement).
The transition period is a difficult one - initially there would need to be all the parts available to modify older bikes, as well as the procedures in place to cater for these as well as new ones.
Manufacturers could be given a deadline for when these changes need to be made (e.g. any bikes from 2019 one need to have the necessary changes made as standard)
Manufacturers could be given a deadline for when these changes need to be made (e.g. any bikes from 2019 one need to have the necessary changes made as standard)
11. Provide any additional information or data that you think may be useful to informing the ACCC’s recommendation to the minister.
11. Provide any additional information or data that you think may be useful to informing the ACCC’s recommendation to the minister.
One key thing is choosing the right vehicle for the job - quad bikes are good because they're lighter and easier to exit from compared to SSV's
SSV's are good because you're less likely to take them places they'll roll.
There are a lot more pros and cons for both options, but in training there needs to be a lot of clarity as to when one option should be used over the other.
SSV's are good because you're less likely to take them places they'll roll.
There are a lot more pros and cons for both options, but in training there needs to be a lot of clarity as to when one option should be used over the other.