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About quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles
Quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles are types of all-terrain vehicles. They are off-road motorised vehicles that travel on 4 wheels.
Quad bikes have a single seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control.
Side-by-side vehicles, also known as utility task vehicles, have a minimum of 2 seats positioned side-by-side. They also have a steering wheel and safety features, such as rollover protection and seatbelts. These vehicles are typically all-terrain and can accommodate 2 to 6 people.
Risks and injuries from the products
Since 2011, 234 Australians have died in quad bike accidents. They are one of the leading causes of death and serious injury on Australian farms.
Quad bike accidents are common and can happen to anyone, including experienced riders. From 2011 to 2024, males accounted for over 80% of all deaths. Men aged over 70 years are statistically the most at-risk age group. More than 20% of deaths have been males over the age of 70.
Deaths caused by side-by-side vehicle accidents are increasing. There were 14 deaths reported in 2024, compared to 4 in 2023.
Many fatalities and serious injuries occur when occupants don't use or remove safety features from their vehicles such as seatbelts, doors or netting. Coronial inquests into fatalities involving side-by-sides have found that if victims had been wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident, they would not have been thrown from the cabin.
Children under 14 make up around 12% of deaths. Children are also at risk of serious injuries, with this age group recording the most presentations to hospital.
Always take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and children.
How to use the product safely
Follow these safety steps when using quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles to help you, your loved ones, friends and work colleagues stay safe.
Three golden rules
- Helmet on
- Rollover protection fitted
- Never let children ride adult quad bikes
Quad bike safety
- Always wear a helmet.
- Use a quad bike with rollover protection (operator protection device). You can have it fitted on older quad bikes.
- Decide if a quad bike is the right vehicle for the activity.
- Don't ride on rough terrain or steep slopes. Quad bikes can’t travel safely on all types of terrain.
- Don’t carry any passengers on quad bikes that are meant for one person.
- Never let children drive or be passengers on adult sized quad bikes.
Side-by-side vehicle safety
- Always wear a seatbelt when riding a side-by-side vehicle.
- Never let children drive.
- Check the manufacturer's advice before letting children ride side-by-side vehicles as passengers.
Prepare safely before every quad bike or side-by-side ride
- Always tell someone where you are planning to go and when you expect to return.
- Make sure you are properly trained before you start using your quad bike or side-by-side vehicle.
- Wear protective clothing and gear. Besides a helmet, this includes goggles, long sleeves, long pants, boots and gloves or hand protection.
- Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Always carry a mobile phone or radio so you can get help in case of an emergency.
Watch our video on quad bike safety
Video transcript
VISION: A male and female walk up to their quad bikes. The female rider is wearing a protective jacket, helmet and gloves. The male rider is wearing a singlet and thongs. The female rider offers the male rider a helmet, but he refuses. They both then start their quad bikes.
Cut to vision of the male rider using power tools in the same outfit in a workshop.
TEXT: Always wear protective gear when riding quad bikes
Almost 60 per cent of riders who died were not wearing a helmet*
*2011-2017
There were 114 quad bike related deaths between 2011 - 2017
Would you risk it?
VISION: A father and child run along the beach near a quad bike.
CHILD: Daddy, Daddy, can I ride it?
VISION: The father dangles the keys above the child's head, who then reaches for them. Cut to a shot of the child dangling from a rope off the side of a tall building.
TEXT: Would you risk it?
Never let children ride quad bikes meant for adults
1 in 7 quad bikes deaths have involved children under the age of 14*
*2011-2017
There were 114 quad bike related deaths between 2011 - 2017
Would you risk it?
VISION: A man is riding on a quad bike along an uneven dirt road. He stops, lifts the visor of his helmet and looks over the edge of the road. Cut to the man, now wearing roller blades as he tests the ground. A rock tumbles down the side of the road.
TEXT: Would you risk it?
Quad bikes are not 'all terrain vehicles'
Recreational users account for half of all quad bike deaths*
*2011-2017
There were 114 quad bike related deaths between 2011 - 2017
Would you risk it?
VISION: ACCC logo appears on screen.
TEXT: Prepare safe | Wear safe | Ride safe
www.productsafety.gov.au/quadbikes
Watch our video on quad bike risks to children
Children are at greater risk of serious injury while riding quad bikes. Adult sized quad bikes are not suitable for children. Even smaller youth quad bikes have been involved in fatal accidents in Australia.
Video transcript
VISION: A father and child run along the beach near a quad bike.
CHILD: Daddy, Daddy, can I ride it?
VISION: The father dangles the keys above the child's head, who then reaches for them. Cut to a shot of the child dangling from a rope off the side of a tall building.
TEXT: Would you risk it?
Never let children ride quad bikes meant for adults
1 in 7 quad bikes deaths have involved children under the age of 14*
*2011-2017
There were 114 quad bike related deaths between 2011 - 2017
Would you risk it?
VISION: ACCC logo appears on screen.
TEXT: Prepare safe | Wear safe | Ride safe
www.productsafety.gov.au/quadbikes
Things to look for when buying the product
Death and serious injuries have happened to people riding quad bikes. For this reason, there’s a mandatory standard that suppliers and retailers must comply with.
Only buy and use a quad bike that complies with the quad bikes mandatory standard.
Side-by-side vehicles don't have a mandatory standard. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety warnings when riding a side-by-side vehicle.
Design and construction
- Make sure the quad bike is supplied with an owner's manual and instructions.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety warnings for using the vehicle.
- Use the hang tag to compare the stability of different models. The higher the angle shown on the tag, the more stable the quad bike is.
- Make sure that the quad bike is fitted with rollover protection using an operator protection device. This device helps prevent deaths in a rollover by holding the vehicle off the ground to provide a crawl out space for the rider.
Retro-fitting rollover protection
If you have an older or second-hand quad bike without rollover protection you should get one fitted for safety.
For more information, see operator protection devices.
See how rollover protection can save lives
This video shows what happens when a quad bike with an operator protection device (OPD) fitted rolls over. The quad bike does not roll on top of the rider.
Compare this with other video demonstrations of rollovers when a quad bike has no operator protection device (OPD) or a different protection.
This photo shows the benefits of rollover protection.
Marks and labels
Quad bike hang tag
- Quad bikes must be sold with a hang tag that has the stability testing result.
Quad bike hang tag
A hang tag with the stability testing result, showing the minimum angle the quad bike tipped sideways onto 2 wheels.
Use it to compare the stability of different models of quad bikes.
The higher the number the more stable the bike is.
Warning label
- Quad bikes must be sold with a warning label.
Quad bike warning label
This image is a warning label warning users of the risk of rollover.
This label must comply with the requirements of the mandatory standard.
Related recalls
Quad bikes state and territory information
There is information about safe riding of quad bikes and side-by-sides in workplaces from states and territories:
- SafeWork Australia quad bikes
- WorkSafe Australian Capital Territory contact information
- WorkSafe Queensland quad bikes
- SafeWork New South Wales quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles
- Northern Territory quad bikes in workplaces
- WorkSafe Victoria quad bikes on farms handbook
- Safe Work South Australia quad bikes
- WorkSafe Tasmania quad bikes
- WorkSafe Western Australia quad bikes in workplaces guide
See also
Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.