The danger of unprotected riders of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), also known as Quad Bikes, being involved with fatal accidents was brought to the fore again with the recent death of much-respected female executive and Medibank chief marketing officer, Lisa Ronson, 52, when she lost control of an ATV she was riding on her family property near Daylesford, Victoria, on Saturday evening.
Along with husband, Chris Taylor, the couple had bought the Ullina property in 2019 and had been working together on making it a loving home for their family. A detailed and heartfelt tribute can be read here.
According to official sources, 42 children and 207 adults have been killed in quad bike accidents in the last 20 years, highlighting the danger these vehicles pose even in the hands of experienced riders. It's the third death involving an ATV on a rural Victorian property in two months.
According to official sources, 42 children and 207 adults have been killed in quad bike accidents in the last 20 years, highlighting the danger these vehicles pose even in the hands of experienced riders. It's the third death involving an ATV on a rural Victorian property in two months.
The primary danger exists when the vehicle rolls over and traps the rider underneath, either crushing or asphyxiating them. Given that these unregistered vehicles are ridden mostly on private property by riders without helmets, the danger of death or serious injury is significant.
Data from Safe Work Australia also reveals that around two thirds of these accidents occurred in the workplace and that quad bikes are a leading cause of death on Australian farms.
"Every ATV sold across the country must have an approved quad bar fitted," said John Davies of Gawler Motorcycle Centre, a leading reseller of the top-selling CF Moto brand of ATV, "unfortunately we have no control over what people do when they take them home."
These quad bars must pass a rigid test and vehicles sold with these devices carry a tag explaining their conformity to regulation.
Data from Safe Work Australia also reveals that around two thirds of these accidents occurred in the workplace and that quad bikes are a leading cause of death on Australian farms.
Beginning in 2020, national regulations were introduced in Australia that mandates that the retail sale of new or secondhand ATVs have rollover protection.
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| CF Moto brand ATV showing mandatory 'quad bar' rollover protection. (supplied) |
"Every ATV sold across the country must have an approved quad bar fitted," said John Davies of Gawler Motorcycle Centre, a leading reseller of the top-selling CF Moto brand of ATV, "unfortunately we have no control over what people do when they take them home."
These quad bars must pass a rigid test and vehicles sold with these devices carry a tag explaining their conformity to regulation.
While specific details of Ms Ronson's accident are not yet public, we make no suggestion that her accident was a result of misuse of the equipment, lack of due care or whether the ATV in question was fitted with a 'quad bar'.
We do, however, make the strong recommendation that if you own a quad bike or are invited to ride one, that you take every precaution possible before doing so.
A coroner's report is being prepared.
