How do you ride a quad bike safely?

We at CFMOTO UK are proud to support Yellow Wellies Farm Safety Week, throwing a spotlight on the dangers involved with the farming industry. As ATV manufacturers it’s our moral duty to focus on quad bike safety by running you through how to ride your quad bike safely and carry out pre-ride safety checks on your quad bike. ATV Safety is important as whilst risk cannot be eliminated, it can be minimised.

In this post on ‘How do you ride a quad bike safely?’, we’ll explain why ATV safety and pre-ride safety checks are important and explain how to do them. We’ll provide the five initial checks you should make before riding your quad.

Why Does Quad Bike Safety Matter?

As a business, we are committed to ensuring that our users are educated in the importance of responsible riding. The most important element of ATV Safety to consider is ATV training. We are partnered with the European ATV Safety Institute (EASI) to offer free rider training to customers who choose to purchase a new CFMOTO.

According to EASI, only 28% of new quad users take up training and so we strongly recommend that all our new customers attend the course. Following the course, we recommend that you follow the below safety tips to minimise your risk on the farm.

The European ATV Safety Institute commented, “We are delighted to be supported by CFMOTO, their sponsorship highlights a commitment to safety and education for both the dealer network and their customers. Taking training, utilising PPE, being responsible and practicing skills are all necessary in making ATV riding more rewarding and most importantly staying safe.”

How to ride a quad bike safely

• Always wear a helmet, gloves, long-sleeved shirt and trousers plus sturdy boots with ankle protection
  At the very least, ensure you wear a helmet. There are thousands of helmet options out there, but we understand that when you’re at work, practicality is essential – you don’t want to be removing a full face helmet and goggles all day long, so we recommend an open faced helmet or a trials style helmet that’s light, comfortable and allows full vision and ability to use a whistle or your voice to communicate with a dog or other workers.
  ARC, Acerbis and Wulfsport all supply comfortable helmets suitable for farm work at a good price.
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  Drugs and alcohol will affect your decision making and reaction time. You are increasing the risk of harm when riding under the influence.
• Carry a mobile phone and a first aid kit
  Ensure that your mobile phone is fully charged and ensure that someone knows where you’re going. If you operate in a remote location without mobile signal, consider carrying a VHF Radio. All new CFMOTO machines come fitted with a free ATVTrac system that’s GPS trackable and can alert other users via the app if your quad rolls over.
• Plan your routes and be aware of risks
  Always scan the terrain ahead for hidden obstacles or potential danger and ride at a safe speed that allows time to react to the unknown. Large rocks, ditches, tree stumps and animal holes are all examples of potential danger that you may not see in long grass or crops. Always be aware that there is a potential for danger. If you do need to stop quickly then keep your feet on the footrests and apply both the front and the back brake evenly.
• Do not exceed the recommended carrying and towing capacity
  Ensure you check the manufacturers’ loading and towing capacity when you purchase the quad and be aware of the limit whilst at work. When using the racks, ensure the load is balanced and secured properly, and be aware that towing a load that’s too heavy increases the risk of jack knifing or overturning the quad. If you unevenly load a trailer, the tongue weight (the weight applied to the tow hitch) could cause the quad to become difficult to drive and potentially flip over. It’s particularly relevant to consider this when transporting livestock such as Ewes that are free to move around the trailer. Extra care must be taken when driving up and down dale when towing.
• Read the owner’s manual and familiarise yourself with the warning labels displayed on the quad
  The owner’s manual will instruct you on the proper use of that ATV and how to use its features. Do not ignore the warning labels on the quad and properly familiarise yourself with all aspects of the quad’s features, including safe use of the winch.
• Ensure your ATV is properly maintained and serviced
  The poor maintenance of safety critical items such as brakes is one of the most common causes of quad accidents in farming. Every time you ride your quad bike, make sure you inspect your quad with the pre-ride ATV safety checks below.

How to ride a quad bike safely: pre-ride quad bike safety checklist

1. Tyres and Wheels
   Ensure the recommended tyre pressure is maintained and check the condition of all four tyres. Look for cuts and gouges that could cause air leakage. Make sure wheel nuts are properly torqued and axle nuts are tight and secured.
2. Throttle
   Ensure the throttle moves smoothly and snaps closed with the handlebars in any position.
3. Brakes
   Ensure brake pads and disks are in good condition, test brake lever tension and check brake fluid levels.
4. Lights and Electrics
   Check your headlight, taillight and brake lights are working. Check the condition of the ignition and engine stop switches and test that they work properly.
5. Oil and Fuel
   Check engine oil and gearbox oil levels on dipsticks (ensure the vehicle is on a level ground with engine switched off for this!) Check for fuel or oil leaks and ensure you’ve got enough fuel in the tank for the task ahead (carry spare fuel if necessary)

How to ride a quad bike safely: other best practice tips

• Never allow a child to ride an adult-sized quad as they don’t have the power or the weight to properly handle it.
• Don’t carry passengers unless your machine is designed for two.
• When parking on a slope, park facing sideways rather than up or down the slope and ensure the machine is in Park, and the handbrake is on.

It’s important to remember that many accidents happen on corners and slopes. In these cases, you and the quad are likely to roll in the same direction therefore increasing the risk of the quad landing on you. When riding your quad, never take unnecessary risks and ensure you have sufficient training before heading out on the farm or on the roads.

All UK customers who purchase a new CFMOTO ATV or UTV (Side-by-side/SbS) through an official CFMOTO UK dealership will receive free access to the EASI rider training course worth £180+VAT. You can browse the range of CFMOTO vehicles by clicking the button below and locate your nearest dealer here.