The news has been welcomed on the whole, with a recognition that something needed to be done to improve their safety record.

The importance of quad bikes on farms in particular is undeniable, an easy and cost-effective means of getting around. 

But quad deaths and injuries are at a level where more is needed to be done and coroner Sharon Freund has done that.

It’s been said for years that the four wheels on these bikes gives people a false sense of security and too many people see them as a safer option for children, sometimes with devastating results.

Mandatory licences, helmets and seatbelts are among the recommendations.

These can’t be argued against – they are simple things that are proven to save lives.

Coroner Freund has also recommended that children under the age of 16 be banned from riding the vehicles.

These are all measures that safety experts have been discussing for a long time.

Particularly steps to protect children too young to appreciate the limits of these machines and just how unstable they can be.

But, has the coroner gone far enough with her recommendations?

The NSW Farmers Association is asking why crush protection devices on all quads was not recommended.

Quads are notorious for rolling and crushing the operators, and experts believe all companies should have to produce the machines with crush protection measures installed.

It’s hoped industry pressure has not come to bear and it was seen as all too hard in the end.

At least the recommendation of a safety rating system would empower consumers to make better purchasing decisions that in turn will drive design improvements.

NSW Farmers would now like an education and awareness campaign about the risk quad bikes pose to follow this inquiry, and it would seem the time was right.

Of course, these are all just recommendations at this point and NSW Farmers makes another good point in that any legislative change will need to be carefully considered to ensure it’s workable in a farm environment.

But, now this first big step has been taken, the government needs to act quickly and put in place real protections that will help address the tragic loss of life.