Took these pictures from the front upstairs window at home. I have a fundamental problem with the insane decision of parents to give their kids fast and powerful quad-bikes for Christmas – particularly when the kids are so young and have such a disregard for safety as shown here.
Pity the first picture came out so badly, because it showed the kid with the helmet on standing at the side of the road watching while his helmet-less friend sped around at what seemed to be about 30mph.
What are the laws governing these things? Is a license required for them? (I seem to remember the Sinclair C5 needing a driving license in Ireland, but not in the UK – would the speed and power of these quad bikes not mean that they should be licensed too?).
I remember driving around on them when I was around 18 (at a scout jamboree, no less…) and even though they were speed restricted and we were driving on a proper track under supervision, I thought they were potentially dangerous enough machines even then. Surely a 13 or 14 year old child shouldn’t be able to whizz around a housing estate unsupervised at 20 to 30mph?
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I wonder if it's to do with engine size and max speed. For example, go karts don't require the driver to have a license. All the same, a restriction on the age of a child owning and/or driving such a machine would be a good thing. Maybe an additional restriction on minimum height too, to ensure safe operation of all hand and foot controls and clear front visibility. A short kid of the approved age could still be a risk if he's sat uncomfortably and unable to reach both left and right foot rests/controls, hand controls like brakes without straining (e.g. small hands on a short person). Even then, restrict when (i.e. daytime hours) and where (i.e. no public places) a kid could ride it. Other than this, bar kids – period – and apply normal driving license rules.
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