OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[Dino]

Hi all.
Tomorrow night, on the 7.30 Report, there is going to be a story on Quads, their safety and Government changes.
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[Big Jb TRX450]

ill be tuning in for this, no doubt the media & its research will be somewhat unguided with the facts being up in the air but we'll wait & see
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04 TRX 450r
with a bit of this & a bit of that

[Dino]

Big Jb TRX450 wrote:

ill be tuning in for this, no doubt the media & its research will be somewhat unguided with the facts being up in the air but we'll wait & see

Reckon you may be right Josh.
Link below for letters to the editor.....
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/letters.htm
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[Big Jb TRX450]

Dino wrote:

Link below for letters to the editor..... http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/letters.htm

LOL Dino, It looks like you have all your boxes ticked ready to go
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04 TRX 450r
with a bit of this & a bit of that

[priesty]

Saw the "coming up" blurb last night on abc, where they conveniently used the term "Killer Quads", nice balanced reporting by the sound of it .

_________________
The term "Foolproof" seriously underestimates the ingenuity of Fools.


08 700xx

[Dino]

And in news just in, Far North Quad Riders President, Tim Forsyth sent this journalist a email with his phone #.

She actually rang him and discussed the story and other quad related issues at length.
As suspected, the story revolves around farmers, quads used and resulting accidents and "Govt Proposals". Also the manufacturers view point that used as designed with training, quads are safe.

It was asked how the figures compare with farm accidents, prior to quads, using ag bikes and horses. ( Duh! Never thought of that. )
It was also mentioned that confusing a clear work place issue with recreational use is misleading. ( Duh! She was unaware of quads, and the sheer numbers of them, outside of the context of the article. She had no idea that many farm bikes purchased are low end spec. or that 2 seater bikes which cruise on a 100km/h and are road registerable throughout the world exist! )

And I've got to say that confusing the seperate issues of WHS, competitive racing and reecreational usage is very detrimental to our sport, whatever way you do it.

As a result of the conversation, the journalist, and film crew, are now invited by the club to do a follow up story with them on recreation "adventure sport". ( I call it trail riding...)
We've places to ride and a 1/2 dozen two seater jobs to cart the journo's around on a club trip. I hope that the ABC will follow up on that......
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[ozkwik]

mmmm don't think it would've helped at all.....interesting thing you could count the amount of helmets on your thumbs, and they complain about injuries

[phil58]

After 16 broken ribs and shoulder breaks and other related injuries the d ickhead still heads off without a helmet
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Phil.....

Last edited by phil58 on Tue Sep 13, 2011 8:50 pm; edited 3 times in total

[Big Jb TRX450]

that was puss...straight out. Good on suzuki australia for being involved with the story, a few helmets at a rider training course, Pi@s poor & suzuki made mention of it. Those "experts" didnt once make a mention of safety gear....id love to do a story that counters what they showed tonight, riders who have the brains to suit up with the right gear, to show we are taking steps to make sure that we are protected as much as we can be in the event of a crash/roll over
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04 TRX 450r
with a bit of this & a bit of that

[Big Jb TRX450]

& the funny thing was after old mate farmer had his crash he still rides without safety gear
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04 TRX 450r
with a bit of this & a bit of that

[mitch41]

that was te biggest joke, a farmer complaining about how atv's are unsafe after he was in a coma, broken ribs etc. And yet there is still clear video evidence of him riding without a helmet.

The guy must be thick if he thinks the little safety bar is going to stop him getting hurt if he comes off again, rider training and a helmet should have come first.

Also had a good laugh at the risk assessment 'expert' who has clearly never ridden a quad in his life, yet still argues they are death traps

[bullet]

mitch41 wrote:

that was te biggest joke, a farmer complaining about how atv's are unsafe after he was in a coma, broken ribs etc. And yet there is still clear video evidence of him riding without a helmet. The guy must be thick if he thinks the little safety bar is going to stop him getting hurt if he comes off again, rider training and a helmet should have come first. Also had a good laugh at the risk assessment 'expert' who has clearly never ridden a quad in his life, yet still argues they are death traps

x 2

He nearly died twice... and still does not wear a helmet.
Maybe if the steel roll bar severs someones spine at the base of their skull...
that might be enough.

I just sent a e-letter off to the editor via the link placed above.
If you do the same... represent us well.
_________________
Can-Am X Team
Bullet #Y12. MrsB #Y18.

Last edited by bullet on Tue Sep 13, 2011 8:53 pm; edited 1 time in total

[yogie]

Big Jb TRX450 wrote:

& the funny thing was after old mate farmer had his crash he still rides without safety gear

mind you he went to the trouble to fit a strap to his hat so it wouldnt blow off, why not fit a helmet to his head in the same amount of time


HELLO NUMNUTS YOUR A GOOSE!!!!!!!!
_________________
2005 KFX700
With a few bells and whistles
and the twin yoshi's
American Star A-arms, tie rods
elka stickers
Shorty Shifter
I have a Waco
rossco gave me a flexx sticker
honda thumb
Great at climbing trees
durablue stickers

[Dino]

Letters sent in........
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[Kymanic]

Letter/ comment sent also.
_________________
Aspire to Inspire

[priesty]

In my role as President of the VQTRA (Victorian Quad Trailriders association), it would be remiss of me not to respond to some of the inaccuracies contained in your recent article.
Firstly the single most commented issue raised by our members, was that even after a near death incident the farmer featured still failed to take adequate precautions ie. a helmet. I was pleased to note that the only recreational riders shown, albeit briefly were both wearing helmets & boots. This is the biggest frustration for us as recreational riders, in that we invest time & money in protective equipment & preventative maintenance to safely enjoy our chosen sport, but we are continually judged by the actions of agricultural users who appear to have scant regard for the appropriate safety equipment & pay even less attention to the manufacturers recommendations for safe operation of their vehicles.
Finally, as has been pointed out by several farmers using the new version roll bars, they now have even more lashing space to carry more equipment over & above the vehicle's capabilities & consequently a higher centre of gravity, surely a recipe for even greater disasters in the future.

regards,
Steve Prentice.
President,
VQTRA.
_________________
The term "Foolproof" seriously underestimates the ingenuity of Fools.


08 700xx

[Dino]

Well said Priesty.
The media love a good head kicking though.....
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-14/farm-death-underlines-quad-bike-dangers/2898286
I could speculate on the individual causes of this very recent incident, but that is indecent.

But I will say that when WH & S demand more safety training and equipment, in a work situation, then those demands are warranted.
140 deaths in 10 years....we can't, and shouldn't want that responsibility reflected on the competition and other recreational aspects of our sport.
Clearly our safety practises and procedures need to be re-inforced to the media and authorities at every opportunity. ( The nannies have no brains.)
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[Stevo]

They failed to mention that 100's of people are killed in cars every year.
Are those people going to take the manufacturers to court about safety features !!
As has been said , looks like he's learnt his lesson on safety
Didn't realise RM Williams made helemts.
_________________
The older I get the faster I was !!

[priesty]

Kudos to the spokesperson from Suzuki, at least one of the manufacturers was willing to stand up & have their say.
_________________
The term "Foolproof" seriously underestimates the ingenuity of Fools.


08 700xx

[Dino]

http://advocate.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/letters/Quad-bikes-a-danger/7603037/
Must be another journo jumping on the bandwagon......
My comment to the newspaper below:

"Oh! Here we go. Another expert opinion from a journalist jumping on a bandwagon. Calling for the obligatory "The Govt oughto...." and everyone should sue...
Confusing workplace issues with recreational use muddies the waters somewhat.
Claiming "Quad bikes are inherently unstable, due to an excessively high centre of gravity, combined with a primitive suspension – this is a lethal combination. " is as mindlessly wrong as saying all politicians keep promises made in election campaigns.
Regardless of the usage of any implement, the correct use of them, including machine specific training where needed, is the key to safety. Manufacturers actually provide substantial safety instructions with the operating manuals of their machines.
The machines are registered for road use in many developed countries throughout the world.
The use of a ROPS device on these machines is just as capable of inflicting injuries, and death as not using them.
Research facts first, John, opinion piece only."
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[Duneblazer]

asphixiation pfft... who here has ever had a quad roll on them but not be able to get it off without the help of someone not under the quad?? NOT ME!

I hope that farmer paid his medical bills because no helmet, (didnt see registration??) means no insurance surely! and at approx $1000 per 24hour stay in hospital, he is up for a bit!

i have written to the editor also!
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dunes... Ride em mean but keep em clean !

Hit us up if your riding anywhere north/west Tas!

[yogie]

here's my response

John, you certainly have never been instructed the correct and safe woy of operating an ATV, because if you had you would know that helmets, boots body armour are standards when operating an ATV, so when a farmer or an Teenager? uses these machine without the correct safety gear, they are in risk from the get go. But you also state "The problem of defective design and marketing of quad bikes" well I suggest you take your self down to a ATV retailer and look at the safety designs these machine now have, but I doubt if you will because you have made up your mind already, BUT i put this to you, in your perfect world where all ATV are banned and destroyed, how many farmers will go back to motor bikes ? ALL OF THEM, and then you would want those also banned from sale. We as a society do not need our well being and choices legistlated for us, we must take responiblity for our own actions, wether on a ATV or doing any other activity that requires safety FIRST.

Mark johnstone
_________________
2005 KFX700
With a few bells and whistles
and the twin yoshi's
American Star A-arms, tie rods
elka stickers
Shorty Shifter
I have a Waco
rossco gave me a flexx sticker
honda thumb
Great at climbing trees
durablue stickers

[priesty]

I also responded (unofficially). I pointed out that more people were injured by horses than Quad bikes, that they were heavier, that their manufacturer was immune from prosecution & that Mandatory fitment of ROPS should be considered if an efficient fiiting kit can be devised that integrates the ROPS with the skeletal frame of these equine menaces.

Or words to that effect. .
_________________
The term "Foolproof" seriously underestimates the ingenuity of Fools.


08 700xx

[gazman]

Also the other design faults of horses such as high c of g and the design of brakes on horses??
gazman

[dangerman4]

If only Glen Boss was on a quad he would be anoyed with a walk back to the stable, not weeks in hospital....

http://www.racingandsports.com.au/racing/rsNewsArt.asp?NID=224625&refID=304&tag=Glen Boss

turn the lot into glue and fritz i reckon.....