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No child should be put in charge of such a machine
WHAT ARE THEY?
Quad bikes
Quad bikes are four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles with handlebars supporting the controls and a saddle similar to those on motorcycles. A quad bike’s engine varies between 50cc and 650cc, according to the model.
Quad bikes handle neither like a car or a motorcycle. Their response can be sudden. They can be easily overturned if not controlled properly when going uphill or downhill, crossing obstacles or cornering: these maneuvers require specific precautions and technique which need to be developed.
In most cases, quad bikes are not designed to carry a passenger. This can unbalance the machine and make it more difficult for the rider to handle.
Miniature motorbikes
Miniature motorbikes, or mini-motos, are essentially smaller replicas of full-sized motorbikes. Some of these bikes cost less than £150 and although often marked as toys, mini-motos can reach speeds of up to 60mph. Scooters
Scooters, otherwise known as go-peds, citybugs, buzz boards or motorised skateboards, comprise of a board, two wheels, a handle for steering and a fitted engine. Some models are capable of speeds up to 20mph.
THE LAW
These vehicles are NOT suitable – and NOT legal – for road or pavement use, although many users have taken to riding them on the roads and pavements.
Quads are designed for off-road use and do not conform to regulations in relation to tyres, lights, horn, speedometer etc and it is therefore illegal to use them on the road.
Mini-motos, quads and scooters are only allowed to be used on private land, including parks and forests, and only with the direct permission of the landowner – in some cases this will be the local authority.
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