Quad Bikes, Children and the Law?

stugib

scotsman4th wrote: »

No legal requirement for a helmet on a quad bike.

Is that anywhere?

I saw a bloke yesterday on full-size quad on a country lane (public road) doing 40mph with a kid on his lap.

About 2 or 3 years ago I saw a couple on one on the M23! :eek:

In both cases neither had helmets. How did that one slip through the law?

Coveredinbees!!!!

you don't need a helmet as they are classed as cars not bikes, you just need a car licence. I can't see the point of them on the road tbh but each to their own.

sophieschoice

scullster wrote: »

• Are there any restrictions (age or otherwise) re: the riding of a motorised quad bike on council owned land such as a park or green area?
• Can a quad bike be legally used on the footpath (police didn't seem to think it was there concern - more a council matter)?

Have a look at your local council's website because authorities differ.
Where we live there are notices on all parks and green areas which state 'no motorcycles'. This includes council owned land as well as Forestry Commission.
Some of these signs count as a Sec. 59 warning which means that the bike can be seized under Sec. 165. Otherwise (where there are no specific signs) the user would receive a Sec. 59 warning which lasts for 12 months and if they contravene the regulations within that time then the bike is seized under Sec. 165.
To ride one on a public road without insurance is a straight Sec. 165 seizure.
The relevant wording in the Act is a 'mechanically propelled vehicle'.

They're definitely not allowed on the footpaths as is the case for pedal cycles.

The recommended way to use these bikes is to transport it by van or trailer to private land where permission has been granted to ride it.

Speak to a traffic officer for further clarification. Phone your main police switchboard and ask to be put through to the traffic office.

scullster

neilmcl wrote: »

When you say the parents paid you a visit, what did they say?

He had 3 issues:
a) He didn't appreciate me having a word with the child (I can see where he is coming from, but the parent was nowhere to be seen (i.e. unsupervised) when the child was doing circuits on the bike otherwise I would have spoken to him direct at the time. I felt the matter was significant enough to nip it there and then rather than wait for it to happen again and risk and accident occuring in the meantime
b) If I spoke to the child again.....
c) He disagreed with my view and told me his child could ride wherever and whenever he liked.

I'm not too bothered about a) and b) - my intervention was to protect my children and others using the green area. I simply would like to know where I stand legally on the matter - am I legally in the right (as well as being morally correct).

verybigchris

If the police aren't interested, you might want to point out to them that a 9 year-old unsupervised on a quad bike constitutes child neglect, and the police have a legal obligation to investigate any such allegations (or pass them on to Social Services).

Happychappy

Hope this helps as It is the law we enforce and have never had any problems with, also seizing the bike if no insurance etc. Plenty of laws to restrict muppets on quads.

Night time reading

This may help you identify the particular type of quad for licensing offences, i.e. whether it requires a licence for a moped, tricycle, or car etc

DFT link

TheJollyClamper

Mobility scooters are also motorised vehicles - I wonder where they fit in with the legislation.

Happychappy

TheJollyClamper wrote: »

Mobility scooters are also motorised vehicles - I wonder where they fit in with the legislation.

These are governed by Class 3 and have set maximum weights and design speeds not exceeding 8mph etc, they are limited to the disabled over 14 years of age

http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/vehicles/invalid_vehicles.aspx

sophieschoice

scullster wrote: »

He had 3 issues:
a) He didn't appreciate me having a word with the child (I can see where he is coming from, but the parent was nowhere to be seen (i.e. unsupervised) when the child was doing circuits on the bike otherwise I would have spoken to him direct at the time. I felt the matter was significant enough to nip it there and then rather than wait for it to happen again and risk and accident occuring in the meantime
b) If I spoke to the child again.....
c) He disagreed with my view and told me his child could ride wherever and whenever he liked.

I'm not too bothered about a) and b) - my intervention was to protect my children and others using the green area. I simply would like to know where I stand legally on the matter - am I legally in the right (as well as being morally correct).

For me, the gloves would be off now.
It never ceases to amaze me that misbehaving anti social kids are backed to the hilt by their parents.
Check your council for bye laws regarding bikes on open land.
Phone your local police station and make an appointment or request a visit from your area bobby.
Phone the anti social behaviour unit at your council to report him.
Are you prepared to make a statement so that the police can progress it further and can you identify the individuals concerned?

DaveMacD

scullster wrote: »

c) He disagreed with my view and told me his child could ride wherever and whenever he liked.

Sadly for him, he's wrong. HC rule 145. "You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency." Relevant laws are the Highways Act 1835, sect.72, & the Road Traffic Act 1988, sect. 34. As also mentioned, how does he get it there? If it's on the road, then he's needing insurance, MOT, road tax and a licence. Any number of laws he's breaking now.