Call to stall quad laws
SUNCITY Yamaha has called on the Federal Government to reconsider new laws that could end the sale of quad bikes in Australia.
From October 2021, dealers will be unable to sell quad bikes that do not have operator protection devices, a bar designed to stop or minimise rollovers, and major manufacturers such as Yamaha are refusing to modify designs for the Australian market.
Suncity sales manager Jack Stanfield said quad bikes made up 30 to 40 per cent of sales, which will mean a huge loss for the business when restrictions begin to be eased in from October this year.
Mr Stanfield said quad bikes sold in Australia met American and European standards, but the Government had taken it too far.
More recently, Mr Stanfield said people had been “panic buying” the vehicles.
“They need them for work, some people need them for recreational (use),” he said.
Mr Stanfield said rider training and education was the best way forward, not the protection devices.
Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter said this was “over-legislating” worst.
“You’re going to need bubble wrap to walk down the street in Australia because we over-legislate everything,” the Traeger MP said.
In recent months, North and far north Queensland at its has had two people die from quad bike-related incidents, including Ayr’s Taylah Pearson.
Mr Katter said he understood the safety concerns related to quad bikes but this change in legislation would impact people’s “rights and freedoms” in regional areas and make it more difficult for farmers.
He said the proper safety equipment and the right training could help mitigate safety issues.
But Federal Herbert MP Phillip Thompson said this was a mechanism put in place to “save lives”.
“(This) is something that will help people if there is a quad bike rollover. I don’t think it’s appropriate to say we should be doing less.
“There is nothing more important than life.”