Competition and Consumer Act 2010 Consumer Protection Notice No. 14 of 2011 Permanent ban on miniature motorbikes (monkey bikes) with unsafe design features (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

COMPETITION AND CONSUMER ACT 2010

Consumer Protection Notice No.  14  of 2011

PERMANENT BAN ON MINIATURE MOTORBIKES (MONKEY BIKES) WITH UNSAFE DESIGN FEATURES

I, DAVID BRADBURY, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, pursuant to subsection 114(1)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, IMPOSE a permanent ban on the goods specified below.

Particulars of Goods

Goods that are miniature motorbikes, known as Mini Bikes, Pocket Bikes or Monkey Bikes, not certified under the Road Vehicle Certification System, operated by the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Transport and Local Government, unless they comply with the following requirements:

1. Throttle

(a)  The motorbike must have a self‑closing, hand operated throttle that returns in a clockwise direction to allow the motorbike’s motor to idle when a person riding the motorbike releases his or her grip on the throttle; and

(b)  The throttle must be mounted on the right handlebar of the motorbike.

1. Braking system

(a)  A motorbike must have a braking system capable of acting on the front and rear wheels;

(b)  Unless the motorbike is fitted with a drum‑type braking system, the braking system must incorporate a floating or sliding type brake calliper that compensates for any increased movement of its components arising from wear; and

(c)  The braking system must automatically distribute the braking effort applied by a person riding the motorbike to the braking system’s control lever equally onto each brake lining without the need for an adjuster at the brake calliper.

1. Foot pegs

(a)  A motorbike must have 2 foot pegs, each capable of holding a static load of:

i.the maximum carrying capacity recommended by the motorbike’s manufacturer; or

ii.if the manufacturer does not state a maximum carrying capacity—70kg.

1. Steering

(a)  The steering head system for a motorbike must not exhibit free play; and

(b)  When the front wheel of the motorbike is raised off the ground, the steering head system must move freely under its own weight from right lock to left lock.

1. Supplemental engine stop

(a)  A motorbike must have a functioning, thumb operated, device on the right or left handlebar that is capable of stopping the motor; and

(b)  The device must be clearly visible to a person riding the motorbike.

Note: Goods subject to this Notice and which fail to comply may be subject to compulsory recall.

Dated this 1^st day of February 2011.

DAVID BRADBURY

Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer