Authorities have reviewed compliance with new quad bike safety laws. 

In 2019, new standards were introduced to improve the safety of quad bikes, which are a leading cause of death and serious injuries on Australian farms. 

In the past decade, 163 people have died in quad bike-related incidents, three of which have occurred so far this year.

The standards are being introduced in two stages so that manufacturers can make necessary adjustments to their products.

Stage 1 requirements include that all new and imported second hand quad bikes sold in Australia be tested for lateral static stability, have a hang tag attached to them showing the angle at which the quad bike tips onto two wheels, and carry a roll over warning label on the bike. The owner’s manual must also include roll over safety information.

The ACCC and state and territory consumer protection agencies have coordinated national market surveillance to determine whether quad bike suppliers have complied with Stage 1. 

They found that 84 per cent of quad bikes assessed by regulators were compliant.

“Although 16 per cent of quad bikes inspected, or roughly one in six, were not compliant with the safety standard, suppliers have so far co-operated with our investigations and taken steps to fix problems, including recalling non-compliant bikes where necessary,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

In March, following site inspections by state regulators, Suzuki voluntarily recalled 490 quad bikes that were not fitted with the required reflectors, compliance certificate labels, hang tags, and had information missing from the owner’s manuals.

Stage 2 of the new standards comes into effect in mid-October, and will require all new and second-hand imported general use quad bikes sold in Australia be fitted with operator protection devices and meet minimum stability requirements. 

“The second stage requirements are absolutely critical for improving the safety of quad bikes and saving lives,” Mr Keogh said.

“Suppliers have had plenty of time to make sure that all new quad bikes for sale meet all requirements of the Safety Standard.”

“We will be conducting national surveillance again this year and cracking down on anyone supplying non-compliant quad bikes,” Mr Keogh said.  

Consumers and businesses can make a complaint to the ACCC if they believe they have seen a quad bike offered for sale or have been sold a quad bike that does not comply with the requirements of the standard.

Separately, all participants in the supply chain for consumer goods are required to report serious injuries associated with the goods within two days of becoming aware of a reportable incident.