Farm safety - quad bikes

Quad bikes (sometimes called ag bikes) are four-wheeled motorbikes that are popular on farms because they are rugged and versatile.

They are also a leading cause of accidental death and serious injury in rural areas. Most of these incidents are linked to rider inexperience, riding without a helmet or other protective equipment, and dangerous riding.

Young people, roughly between the ages of 10 and 24, are among those most likely to be hurt or killed on a quad bike, and children are also at risk every year. Although quad bikes are sometimes described as all-terrain vehicles, they are not safe to use on every type of terrain.

Despite having four wheels, a quad bike is not an especially stable vehicle. It has a high centre of gravity and a narrow wheelbase, and most injuries and deaths happen when the bike rolls onto the rider and crushes them.

Quad bikes can roll over, even at low speeds#

Injury or death involving a quad bike often results from one or more of the following:

• Not using the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions - for example, carrying passengers or loads it was not designed for.
• Not riding safely for the conditions.
• Carrying too much weight, distributing a load unevenly, or failing to secure it - any of which can tip the bike when it is moving.
• Rider inexperience - for example, not knowing how to shift body weight to keep the bike’s centre of gravity balanced.
• Poor maintenance, leading to mechanical failure of vital safety equipment such as the brakes.

Inexperienced riders often assume that four wheels make a quad bike more stable than a two-wheeled motorbike. At moderate speeds and on slopes, this is not the case.

Know what your quad bike can and cannot do#

Reduce your risk of injury and death by understanding your machine’s limits. Suggestions include:

• Read the manual, paying particular attention to the safety instructions.
• Read the manufacturer’s warning labels and follow them.
• Make sure anyone who will operate the bike watches any safety video supplied with it and understands the safety advice.
• Ask your supplier about recommended training courses. Agricultural and vocational training colleges may also run quad bike training.
• Make sure everyone who will ride the bike is properly trained. Practise until you feel confident before putting the bike to its intended use.
• Where there is a risk of rollover, consider fitting a suitably designed and tested operator protective device (OPD).

Safety suggestions for the bike#

• Use the quad bike strictly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Leave all safety guards in place.
• If you need accessories, use the manufacturer’s equipment or follow their recommendations. Do not “customise” the fit, as this may compromise stability.
• Strictly observe the load ratings.
• Keep the bike in good mechanical repair and carry out a safety check each time before you ride.

Safety suggestions for riders#

• Treat the quad bike as work machinery, not as a recreational vehicle.
• Do not ride irresponsibly or attempt stunts such as wheelies.
• Do not allow untrained people to ride.
• Warn children about the dangers and do not let them use the bike until they are properly trained and supervised. Keep them well clear of the bike whenever someone else is riding.
• Never carry passengers. A passenger on the back limits the rider’s ability to shift weight appropriately.
• Always wear appropriate protective gear - a helmet meeting a recognised safety standard (with goggles if it has no visor), boots, gloves, and heavy-duty trousers and jacket.
• Ride at an appropriate speed at all times, and slow down before turning a corner or braking.

Safety suggestions for the terrain#

• Avoid travelling up or down steep inclines, and do not ride in terrain beyond your ability.
• Where possible, ride on familiar tracks. Even then, think carefully about drains, obstacles, the weather, the nature of the surface, and how fast you may need to ride.
• Ride cautiously on sealed roads, as the smooth surface may reduce control.
• Remember that liquid in a spray tank can shift suddenly and change the bike’s centre of gravity over uneven ground. Make sure any extra weight does not exceed the carrying capacity, and take extra care.
• Assess the terrain before you ride on it. Avoid steep slopes, especially when the ground is loose or wet, as they can cause the bike to roll over.
• Watch the ground ahead for hazards. Riding into or over rocks, pipes or other obstacles can cause an accident.
• If you are not confident you can safely cross a stretch of terrain, do not attempt it. Go another way or turn around.

Quad bikes can cause injury and death in many ways, including legs (of the rider or a passenger) being caught by the tyres, the bike flipping or rolling on a steep slope, the bike hitting an obstacle and rolling, the rider being struck by a low-hanging branch or object, unfamiliarity with the controls and handling, and reckless riding such as going too fast or attempting stunts.

Key points#

• Quad bikes are a leading cause of accidental death and injury in rural areas.
• Reduce your risk of injury and death by knowing exactly what your quad bike can and cannot do.
• Steep slopes, particularly when the ground is loose or wet, should be avoided as they can cause the bike to roll over.
• Riding into or over rocks, pipes or any other obstacle can cause an accident.

Where to get help#