Farm Quadbike Safety

Four wheeled motorbikes or quadbikes are becoming a leading cause of death and serious injury on Australian farms.  There has been a 10 fold increase in farm related quadbike fatalities on Australian farms over the last 10 years.

There are on average 12 farm related fatalities per year on Australian farms.

Whilst there have been significant farm safety success with the reduction of death and injury associated with tractor use on farms, and a reduction in the child related injury, quadbike and vehicle related injury is a major concern.

Farmsafe Australia have developed an Safety Guide for farmers, that can help farmers reduce the risk of serious injury associated with quadbikes.

When farmers are considering using quadbikes for work on farms, Farmsafe encourage the following safety principles:

Is the quadbike the most appropriate vehicle to do the job?  A farm ute or Small Utility Vehicle is  best to carry passengers and heavy loads safely.

• SELECT the safest machine to do the job.
  
• ALWAYS keep the quadbike properly maintained and tyres correctly inflated according to manufacturers recommendations.
  
• ALWAYS wear a helmet when riding a quad bike.
  
• DO NOT allow riders under 16 years old to operate a quadbike.
  
• NEVER carry passengers and
  
• DO NOT carry heavy loads or overload a quad bike.  They become more unstable and may rollover causing fatal crushing injuries.

More information can be found by downloading and reading the following briefing paper Quad Bike Safety on Australian Farms.

Related Documents

• Quad Bike Safety on Australian Farms
• National Farm ATV/ ATU Strategy