AUSTRALIA: Polaris kids quad bikes could contain asbestos

Up to 13,000 kids’ quad bikes could contain ASBESTOS – forcing manufacturer to launch national recall.

A brand of children’s quad bikes has been recalled Australia-wide after fears parts of the bikes could contain asbestos.

A brand of children’s quad bikes has been recalled Australia-wide after fears parts of the bikes could contain asbestos.

The bike being recalled is the Polaris youth quad bike sold after 31 December 2003, with fears up to 13,000 could be affected.

A recall issued by Product Safety Australia on Monday said parts that could contain asbestos include the front brake shoe, rear brake shoe, front brake pad, heat shield washer and the rear brake shoe.

The models affected by the recall include the Outlaw 50, 90 and 110, Sportsman 90 and 110, Phoenix 200, Sawtooth 200, Predator 50 and 90, Scrambler 50 and 90 and Ace 150.

The models are advertised as suitable to be used by children aged six and above.

People who have purchased the bike can still ride it, but are advised not to perform any maintenance, repairs or modifications on the quad bikes that may contact or disturb the bike parts that may contain asbestos.

Owners will be contacted about the recall by a letter to their Polaris-registered address.

Asbestos & Health: Frequently Asked Questions

Owners of vehicles other than the Ace 150 should contact their nearest authorised Polaris dealer to make an appointment to have any parts that potentially contain asbestos replaced with parts that do not contain asbestos, free of charge.

Ace 150 vehicles will also be repaired free of charge when normal in-service replacement of gaskets is required.

Polaris Australia country manager Alan Collins told the ABC third party testing had identified traces of asbestos, but he said the risk was very low for owners and operators.

‘The research and very extensive testing that we’ve had completed … has come back that there were no asbestos fibres picked up in the air through the use of those vehicles,’ Mr Collins told the ABC.

‘It’s an extremely low probability that those fibres could’ve been in the air and could’ve damaged the operator of the vehicle or anybody nearby to them.’

Mr Collins said they were investigating the cause of the contamination and how it went unnoticed for so long.

More information is available by calling the Polaris Customer Service Department on 1800 982 593 or visiting www.polarisindustries.com.au