Quad Bikes, Children and the Law?

babyshoes

Coveredinbees!!!! wrote: »

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.

This isn't really relevant to the thread, but I think the law is actually a bit complicated here - I was under the impression that if a vehicle has car type controls and a reverse gear, you don't need a helmet and do need a car licence. On the other hand, if it has motorbike controls and no reverse, it is classed like a bike and you do need a helmet. There are more rules about weights/engine power etc etc too.

I admit I could be wrong though, as these details were gathered during a discussion of trikes, and I assumed they would be the same for quads... If it isn't a legal requirement to wear a helmet on a quad, it damn well should be! :eek:

scullster

Thanks to all who have contributed. Looking through the posts, the conclusion that I've come to is that it is illegal to ride the quad both on public land and footpaths. Whether the police would choose to do anything will be another thing (not intended as a dig, I'm appreciative of the number of laws vs. resources and the balance of risk - debate for another day). On that basis, I'm happy enough that there would be a legal basis to a complaint I could make and would be quite happy to leave the thread at this point.

I've had a go at summarising the salient points re: the law on this matter but there are some grey areas I'm not sure about:

The Law - Points of Clarification / Summary
Not entirely sure where it states that the quad has to be road legal to be used in a public space - I've not got a copy of the Road Traffic Act (not in my bedtime reading list) in front of me but I'm sure it is in there somewhere.

Section 34 of the Act states that its use (specifically a Mechanically Propelled Vehicle) is not permitted on common land without lawful authority (not entirely sure if the landowner can grant lawful authority, i.e. permission, or does this mean restricted to landowner, his agents, emergency services, authorities / agencies with lawful powers?)

Section 59 / 165 of the Act states the powers as a consequence of the breach of the act such as the warning (S.59) lasting for 12mths, and then the seizure (S.165).

Gloomendoom

This link might be useful...

Motorbike advice leaflet
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DCFC79

Get onto your local council rep about the matter, maybe signs need to be put up none are present

forgotmyname

Wait until they do it again then phone the police, try not to laugh when the police confiscate it.

To use private land that you do not own needs written permission.