Quad bikes – control is an illusion
CFA (Country Fire Authority) is a volunteer and community based fire and emergency services organisation in Victoria Australia.
At a roadside fuel reduction burn in February 2017, there was an incident involving a quad bike fitted with a rollover operator protective device (OPD).
With the burn underway, the quad bike became stuck in a ditch which the rider couldn’t see because of tall roadside grass. After several attempts, the rider managed to get out of the ditch with only minor damage to the quad bike.
Quad bikes are marketed and sold as all-terrain vehicles even though they don’t have all-terrain capability and are inherently unstable. Manufacturers’ instruction books include warnings and explain the limitations of quad bikes, but people still have the false perception that quad bikes are stable, robust machines with go-anywhere capability.
The truth is you are never fully in control of a quad bike..
Around 10 people die every year, and many more are injured, in quad bike accidents on Australian farms. The emotional and financial cost of these deaths and injuries to farm families and communities is immense.
To mitigate against the risk of accident and injury, CFA strongly suggests all quad bikes should be fitted with an OPD, riders must wear helmets, be experienced, demonstrate competence, and be endorsed by their brigade captain to use a quad bike.
