Recreational quad bikers spark fears

Recreational quad bike users are not taking safety seriously enough, says Federated Farmers' spokeswoman for health and safety, Jeanette Maxwell.

She said the quad bike crash at Waimarama on Wednesday showed recreational users, quad bikes and alcohol were "a cocktail for disaster".

"While many farmers are heeding the safety message, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment need to find a better way to convey safety when it comes to recreational users.

"The tragic death following Christmas was recreational in nature as was the latest incident in the Hawke's Bay. The Hawke's Bay one seemingly involved alcohol as well," Ms Maxwell said.

She added there was an unhelpful assumption all quad bike accidents were farm-related. In 2012 there appeared to have been two recreational fatalities involving quad bikes.

"Frankly, no one should be using a quad bike without the appropriate training and not all quad bikes are designed to carry two people. If an untrained person wants to use a quad bike then they must seek training and become proficient in its use," she said.

"Given the number of quad bikes on-farm are similar to the number of road-going motorcycles, we need a degree of perspective."