MIA Welcomes Review Findings of Child and Youth Mortality Arising from Off-Road Use of Motorcycle, Quad Bike and Motorised Agricultural Vehicles

The MIA welcomes the findings of the Health Quality & Safety Commission into child and youth mortality arising from the use of motorcycles, quads and other agricultural vehicles.

Our children are vulnerable around vehicles and they deserve the care and attention needed to ensure they can operate appropriate age related designed vehicles safely’, says David Crawford, Chief Executive Officer of the Motor Industry Association.

The report confirms many of the manufacturer’s consistent advice on the use of motorbikes, quad bikes and small utility vehicles, particularly:

as a minimum, children aged 6–16 should only operate quad bikes and side by side vehicles specifically designed for a child of their age

children under 16 must never operate an adult-sized quad bike

helmets must always be worn

passengers should not be carried on quad bikes unless the bike was designed for that purpose

if any child is going to ride a quad bike, they must, at all times, be supervised by an adult who has the training, skills and experience to use it safely

no child under the age of 6 should ever be in control of a quad bike or a side by side vehicle

‘The MIA has been advocating that the Government make the American National Standards Institute’s safety standards for quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles mandatory, so all off-road quad bikes and side by side vehicles entering New Zealand are built to minimum construction standards. Importantly, these standards prescribe the appropriate power and speed restrictions for age related quad and side by side vehicle design. Adherence to these standards is required for child safety’, said David Crawford.

ENDS.

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