There are rumours quad bikes will no longer be available in NSW from October 2021.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NSW Farmers Association have said it is not true and is urging manufacturers to stop encouraging the panic buying of the bikes.
The rumours come after announcements by some manufacturers, like Honda and Yamaha, saying they are withdrawing from the local market as Australian safety regulations take effect.
However, NSW Farmers Association president James Jackson said there had been indication of some quad bike manufacturers continuing to supply quad bikes to the market.
"We commend these manufacturers who are dedicated to advance their quad bike design for safety improvement and encourage them to publicly announce their position sooner rather than later," Mr Jackson said.
Quad bikes are a major cause of death and serious injury in rural workplaces, including farms and that is backed up by Safe Work Australia.
As a result, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will introduce a consumer Safety Standard for all new quad bikes from October.
"Quad bikes play an important role for many farmers as the "workhorse" on farm to perform a number of tasks," Mr Jackson said.
"It is also fact that quad bikes can turn dangerous quickly if they are not appropriately used.
"That's why the Association has invested years of advocacy, working with regulators and other stakeholders to improve awareness of the limitations of quad bikes and the available safety solutions to minimise risks of injuries and fatalities, while at the same time ensuring farmers could continue to utilise quad bikes on farms with minimal legislative intervention."
NSW Farmers Moss Vale branch chair Greg Chitticks said at the moment, local farmers have swapped over to Side By Sides.
To local farmers worried about not being able to purchase quad bikes anymore, Mr Chitticks said there are plenty of other options.
"I know we all love our quad bikes, but we can always go back to using two wheelers like we used to do," Mr Chitticks said.
Did you know the Southern Highland News is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.