Quad Bikes for Christmas - Have fun but be Safe!

Many kids and even adults may be hinting at a quad bike this Christmas, and who can blame them they are great fun. However, while quad bikes are fun it is important to remember to ride safely and responsibly.

There are currently no safety regulations in place governing the use of protective clothing with quad bikes and there is no requirement for training.

One regulation that is in place is where you can use quad bikes. Quad bikes can be used off road on private land with the permission of the landowner. Most standard quads come with off road tyres, which mean they are not suitable for road use. It is also illegal to ride quads on public roads if you are under the age of 16.

The law states that quad bikes can only be used on public roads if you:

• Are over 16 years of age
• Wear an approved helmet
• Have road tax
• Have a driving license to use a moped (16 years old) or motorcycle (17 years old)
• Have insurance
• Take a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
• Ensure the bike has lights, a number plate, horn, speedometer and sufficient tread on the tyres (I.e. road legal tyres)
• Have an MOT if the bike is over three years old.

At Funbikes we believe in promoting safety and common sense when using your quad bikes. Most accidents associated with quad bikes come from people using them irresponsibly and children using them without adult supervision, not to mention neglecting to wear the correct safety clothing.

Here at funbikes we sell a selection of safety gear such as crash helmets and protective pads and would always suggest our customers make sure they are fully kitted out for riding their quad. Other good safety features on many quads include throttle restrictors, enclosed foot wells and safety tethers, though they are more specific to kid’s quad bikes.

You may have seen in the news that Kate Moss has been criticised for having three people on one quad bike. Quad bikes are not designed for people to ride pillion. So we recommend you take turns or buy a quad bike suitable to the individuals’ abilities.

So remember, quad bikes are great fun and fantastic Christmas presents, but always ride responsibly and the fun won’t come to a sudden, and perfectly avoidable, end.