Getting home safe is what matters most

Why are quad bikes so dangerous?

Quad bikes are notoriously unstable vehicles as they have a high centre of gravity and a narrow wheelbase. Roll over is the leading cause of death in quad bike incidents.

It only takes a slight shift in the centre of gravity to lift the tyres and cause a quad bike to flip and roll over.

Roll over is a major cause of death in quad bike incidents

Quad bikes can roll in any direction – to the front, side or rear.

The risk of roll over increases when travelling on slopes, uneven ground, from towing, carrying loads or passengers, speeding and rider inexperience.

Roll over deaths involve the quad bike tipping over, landing on, and crushing the operator.

Young person standing on a gate on a farm — Getting home safe is what matters most.

Fatal roll overs can also occur suddenly, even at low speeds and on flat terrain.

Other quad bike fatalities and serious injuries are caused by:

collision with livestock, a fence or unfavourable ground conditions, or
ejection from collision with a hidden log or hole in the ground.

The impact of a quad bike rolling and landing on top of you is severe and will likely result in death from asphyxiation injuries or a serious injury that could cause a permanent disability.

The risk is real

“I’ve rolled a quad bike without a roll bar. I remember lying there with the taste of blood in my mouth thinking – is this it? You could be left in a paddock and your family – your kids are on their own. That’s why I installed a roll bar”

Ben

Farmer, husband, father

The importance of active riding

Ride smart

It is critical that operators are trained to safely operate a quad bike – including demonstrating competent active riding skills and riding to the conditions.

Active riding balances the quad bike to help prevent a roll over.

Operators must assess the ground conditions and shift their body weight around the long seat to maintain a stable centre of gravity to keep all four wheels on the ground – especially when cornering, carrying loads and riding through rough or steep terrain.

When carrying a load, keep it low, secure, and balanced. Never overload a quad bike and make sure you can always move freely around the seat when riding.

Person riding a red quadbike up an embankment — The operator is leaning forward to prevent the quad bike from flipping over backwards when travelling up a slope.

Person on blue quad bike riding down an embankment — The operator is hovering their weight over the back of the seat to prevent the quad bike from flipping over forwards when travelling down a slope.

Nationally accredited training is available through a range of providers for farmers and their workers (over 16 years) who are required to operate a quad bike.

Look for the course name: AHCMOM217 - Operate Quad Bikes

Case study

A third-generation farmer rolled his quad bike while herding cattle into the yards. When he didn’t return to the agreed meeting spot, his dad went searching for him. The farmer was found under the overturned quad bike and sustained fatal crush related injuries. The area was a flat, well-known part of the farm.

Reduce the risk

A diagram of a person underneath an upturned quadbike — A roll bar and wearing a helmet can make the difference between a minor incident and a life-long injury – or even death.

Install a roll bar

To help reduce the risk of death or serious injury caused by roll over, all quad bikes should have a roll bar fitted. Operators should also be trained and wear a helmet.

A roll bar, also known as an operator protective device (OPD), or a crush protection device (CPD) is an engineered attachment that is fitted to a quad bike.

Roll bars are designed to help protect you from being fatally crushed or pinned underneath the weight of the quad bike by creating a crawl space between the quad bike and the ground.

NSW Small Business Rebate Scheme
Rebates for OPDs are available to eligible businesses who use quad bikes to a maximum value of $1000. Apply for the $1,000 SafeWork NSW Small Business Rebate

A red quad bike is parked showing it's back view. It has a Flexi, a metal bar with a black handle at the end. The middle section features a yellow spring suspension. The background included a carport and a fence. — Quad Bar Flexi

A blue quad bike is parked on the grass, showing its back view. Attached to the rear is a black, round ATV Lifeguard safety device. The background features bushland with trees and foliage. — ATV Lifeguard

Make sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day. Roll bars save lives. Insist that all your quad bikes have them installed.

Wear a helmet

Helmets reduce the risk of a traumatic brain injury in a quad bike incident. Everyone who operates a quad bike should wear a helmet. Helmets should comply with the appropriate Standard, fit well, be securely fastened and be kept in good condition.

NSW Small Business Rebate Scheme
Rebates for compliant helmets are available to eligible businesses who use quad bikes and SSVs to a maximum value of $1000. Apply for the $1,000 SafeWork NSW Small Business Rebate

A red quad bike is parked in a shed, showing it's front view. The Flexi bar is visible at the back. Next to the bike, a person is putting on a white helmet while wearing a black vest. The background features tools hanging on the shed wall.

For more information on helmets visit Helmets and PPE.

Research and testing

Research shows that roll bars and helmets are likely to reduce injuries and deaths in quad bike rollovers.

Read about our extensive testing with University of New South Wales’ Transport and Road Safety (TARS) Research Centre or watch the video.

Support is available

Chat with your local Inspector

Farmers are encouraged to connect with their local SafeWork NSW Inspector for free advice on how to improve safety on their farm.

Request a Workplace Advisory Visit and SafeWork NSW will come to you (phone call or in person). Book online or call 13 10 50.

Check out our free safety shed poster

Display the Keep Safe on Quad Bikes poster (PDF, 117.12 KB)

More information

SafeWork NSW's Quad bike and side-by-side vehicle page.

Previous campaigns

2021: Roll bars save lives

Quad bikes continue to be the biggest killer on Australian farms, with quad bike rollovers being the leading cause of death.

Since 2020, five families lost a loved one from quad bike rollovers in NSW alone. There have been more than 280 quad bike fatalities in Australia since 2001.

Man standing next to upturned quadbike on rural property

SafeWork NSW launched its Roll bars save lives campaign in June 2021. This is an image from the campaign.

Ben's story

When I didn’t have a roll bar and I rolled, I remember lying there with the pain of fractured ribs and the taste of blood in my mouth.
It was one of my scariest days at work. I was in the middle of nowhere and my girls (wife and 3 daughters) didn’t know where I was.
That's why I installed roll bars on our quad bikes.
Ben
Farmer, husband, father

What is a roll bar and how can it help?

Roll bars, or operator protective devices, are designed to protect riders from being crushed or pinned underneath the weight of the quad bike in the event of a roll over. Extensive testing* shows that roll bars can reduce serious asphyxiation and crush injuries by creating a void between the quad bike and the operator in the event of a roll over.

A roll bar and wearing a helmet can make the difference between a minor incident and a life-long injury – or even death.

Pre-fitted roll bars mandatory

To improve quad bike safety, the Australian government has introduced a new Quad bike safety standard. From 11 October 2021, all new and second-hand imported utility quad bikes must be sold with a pre-fitted roll bar.

More information

Find all our quad bike and side-by-side vehicle content on the one page.

*Read about our extensive testing with University of New South Wales’ Transport and Road Safety (TARS) Research Centre.

In early 2016 SafeWork NSW engaged with the University of New South Wales Transport and Road Safety (UNSW TARS), who delivered world-leading research into quad bike safety in 2015, to undertake an independent survey study to determine the efficacy of OPDs as well as helmets compliant with NZS 8600:2002. (37 seconds)