Executive Summary:
Quad Bike Safety Alliance Inc. proposes the development and implementation of a national, IP-free, standardised Quad Bike and Side-by-Side Vehicle (SXS) safety training package for use across all states and territories in Australia. The package would be accompanied by a nationwide safety awareness campaign targeting high-risk industries and communities.

This proposal addresses the urgent need for consistent, accessible, and practical safety education in response to the persistent injury and fatality rates linked to Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs), particularly within agriculture and remote industries.

Background:
Quad bikes and SXSs are essential tools across Australia's agricultural sector. However, in 2021 major quad bike manufacturers including Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Polaris and Can-Am withdrew their products from the Australian market following new ACCC safety regulations mandating Operator Protection Devices (OPDs). This move has led to reduced market diversity and challenges for Australian ATV Operators, without necessarily addressing the root cause of accidents: operator behaviour, lack of training and poor safety culture.

Previously, the United States’ ATV Safety Institute (ASI) model had demonstrated measurable success through its unified national curriculum, public-private partnerships and long-term safety campaigns. ASI has contributed to a significant reduction in ATV-related injuries and fatalities over time, proving the effectiveness of targeted training and awareness initiatives.

Australia needs a similar model: publicly accessible, nationally recognised, practical and adaptable across all industries.

National Standard ATV/SXS Training Package Objective:
To create an open-access, practical, competency-based training model for ATV and SXS safety training, standardised across all Australian states and sectors.

Key Features: 
• IP-free package to ensure broad public adoption.
• Nationally consistent content for both ATV and SXS use cases.
• Designed by experts, validated by industry, supported by Government.
• Modular structure (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Train-the-Trainer).
• Delivered via face-to-face sessions, farm-based formats, and online tools.
• Focus on practical skills, active riding/driving, terrain awareness, and operator culture.
• Compatibility with state-based workplace safety requirements.
• Co-branding opportunities with state/territory safety bodies (e.g. WHSQ, SafeWork).

Development & Governance:
• Lead authorship by Quad Bike Safety Alliance, with industry consultation.
• Hosted under a non-commercial, publicly accessible framework, such as through AgriFutures, FarmSafe Australia, or FCAI.
• Supported by a national steering committee of representatives from government, manufacturers, agriculture and training providers.

National Safety Awareness Campaign Objective:
To raise awareness of ATV/SXS risks and promote safety behaviour through a coordinated public campaign delivered nationally.

Delivery Approach:
• High-impact field demonstrations using Quadsafe’s patented Side Slope Trailer (SST) for both ATV and SXS safety..
• Public engagement at rural field days, shows, and community events across Australia.
• Distribution of "Six Steps to Stay Safe" messaging tailored to both ATV and SXS operations.
• Alignment with existing government safety messaging (e.g. WHSQ’s "Ride Ready").
• Campaign slogan: “Ride Safe. Drive Smart. Get Home.”

Reach & Impact:
• Engagement with 750,000+ rural Australians within the first year.
• Tangible cultural change across high-risk regions.
• Scalable across states, councils and industry sectors.

Expected Outcomes:
• A nationally adopted safety standard for ATV and SXS operation.
• Dramatic increase in training participation due to accessibility and trust.
• Reduction in injuries, fatalities, and economic loss from ORV incidents.
• Improved workplace compliance outcomes.
• A safety culture shift across farms, tourism, industry and public land users.

Call to Action: Quad Bike Safety Alliance is petitioning the Australian Government to:
1. Remove the word "mandatory" from the legislation in relation to fitting Operator Protection Devices (OPDs) on ATVs to allow flexibility and application specific safety solutions.
2. Commission and support the development of a National IP-Free Standard ATV/SXS Training Package.
3. Fund and co-deliver a multi-year National ORV Safety Awareness Campaign targeting rural and remote users.
4. Establish a national cross-sector working group to oversee implementation, content review and stakeholder engagement.

Further information contact: Colin Lawson 042 791 1835