Quad Bike Safety: Issues Paper

Response 200196803

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Mick Griffith

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Questions 1-6

1) Can you provide additional data or information on costings of injuries and fatalities caused by quad bikes?

1) Can you provide additional data or information on costings of injuries and fatalities caused by quad bikes?
No

2) Would design changes to quad bikes be likely to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by quad bikes in Australia?

2) Would design changes to quad bikes be likely to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by quad bikes in Australia?
Yes.

3) If you answered ‘yes’ to question 2, what design changes do you consider would have this effect? Which design features, if any, should a safety standard mandate or prohibit? In particular the ACCC is interested in understanding design changes that are likely to reduce:

3) If you answered ‘yes’ to question 2, what design changes do you consider would have this effect? Which design features, if any, should a safety standard mandate or prohibit?
Roll-over protection is the absolute minimum. Despite any amount of training and correct riding techniques, the fact is that quad bikes on farms are being used for a task - a task that absorbs the concentration of the rider. If you are riding a quad bike and mustering stock, or checking irrigation or similar, then you are not fully concentrating on riding. This is certainly when roll-overs can likely happen, even to experienced operators. The example of compulsory ROPS on tractors should prove that it works.

The issue of children riding quads is more difficult to control with design features. This is more about access to the machine (keys etc.) and supervision of parents.

If a quad bike is not designed to carry passengers, then why do they make the seats so long?? Easy to limit this by only having room for one operator.

4) If your view is that design features should be mandated or prohibited to increase quad bike safety, could the regulation be designed to encourage innovation rather than prescribing particular products or technical solutions (for example by ensuring fitting points or attachment mechanisms to allow the development of improved CPDs or ROPSs or by prescribing performance-based outcomes rather than technical designs)?

4) If your view is that design features should be mandated or prohibited to increase quad bike safety, could the regulation be designed to encourage innovation rather than prescribing particular products or technical solutions (for example by ensuring fitting points or attachment mechanisms to allow the development of improved CPDs or ROPSs or by prescribing performance-based outcomes rather than technical designs)?
Fully agree that the regulation should be designed to allow innovation. I suppose minimum standards should be need to be met.

5) If any or all of these design changes were implemented in Australia, are you able to estimate the additional cost that would be imposed on Australian suppliers?

5) If any or all of these design changes were implemented in Australia, are you able to estimate the additional cost that would be imposed on Australian suppliers?
Most manufacturers also produce side-by-side utility vehicles, so already have expertise in engineering for ROPS. Surely only a few hundred dollars per machine?

Questions 7-12

7) Are consumers currently getting adequate information at the purchase point about quad bike use and limitations or safety information and equipment? Should there be additional warnings or instructions displayed at the point of purchase or provided with the sale of quad bikes?

7) Are consumers currently getting adequate information at the purchase point about quad bike use and limitations or safety information and equipment? Should there be additional warnings or instructions displayed at the point of purchase or provided with the sale of quad bikes?
Training in safe operation is key. Anyone using a quad bike on farm (a work site) should need to demonstrate some level of training and competency.

8) In relation to the option of a consumer safety rating system:

In relation to the option of a consumer safety rating system:
This appears to work well for cars/utes etc. Star rating system is pretty simple.
Could cover:
ROPS/seatbelts
Safety lockout devices
Braking
Steering/handling components

9) If your view is that regulation is needed to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by quad bikes in Australia, how should these be implemented? One proposed option is to prohibit or mandate particular design features; another is to increase consumer information, including through a consumer safety rating system; a third option is a combination of both:

9) If your view is that regulation is needed to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by quad bikes in Australia, how should these be implemented? One proposed option is to prohibit or mandate particular design features; another is to increase consumer information, including through a consumer safety rating system; a third option is a combination of both:
Combination is required. No point mandating something without increasing awareness as to why it is needed.

10) If the ACCC recommends a mandatory safety standard for quad bikes:

10) If the ACCC recommends a mandatory safety standard for quad bikes:
should the standard apply differently to quad bikes used for different purposes, for example agriculture, sports, recreation, tourism and commercial hire?
Simpler to not have different legislation, as could be used in any circumstance.

should the standard apply differently to quad bikes designed for use by children?
Yes

should the standard apply to SSVs as well as quad bikes, and if so how should the vehicles be defined?
Yes. SSV is an ATV with one or more pairs of seats next to each other. And with 'automotive' controls like a car.

when should the standard commence?
ASAP

should the standard include a transitional provision?
Yes

should the standard have an expiry date?
NO

should the standard apply to both new and second hand vehicles, or be limited to new quad bikes sold after the transitional date?
New and second-hand if used on farm.

11) What is the life cycle of quad bikes in Australia? For example, on average how long do consumers use quad bikes before the vehicle is retired? How long might it take before the current stock of 380,000 quad bikes is replaced by new stock that satisfies requirements of a safety standard, if imposed?

11) What is the life cycle of quad bikes in Australia? For example, on average how long do consumers use quad bikes before the vehicle is retired? How long might it take before the current stock of 380,000 quad bikes is replaced by new stock that satisfies requirements of a safety standard, if imposed?
Long. My experience would suggest around 5000hours from new. This is around 5 years of frequent use. Then some will be around much longer as 'runabouts'. Similar to tractors with ROPS, retrofit kits should be made available.

12) Please provide any other information you consider may be relevant to the ACCC’s consideration of these issues.

12) Please provide any other information you consider may be relevant to the ACCC’s consideration of these issues.
Please note that no amount of training or rider experience can eliminate a roll-over event, particularly when the quad is being used whilst doing a job. The job is occupying the operators concentration and it becomes easy to see how the rock/hole etc. wasn't seen.

Quad bikes needs ROPS and compulsory helmets.

In my industry sector (vineyards) there has been a significant move away from quads to side-by-side vehicles over the last 10 years. They have proven to be much safer and more versatile for the jobs required.