Law change for Qld quad bike riders

It will soon be illegal to ride a quad bike without a helmet on public roads in Queensland.

Head injuries account for a third of quad bike deaths across the state and in the vast majority of those cases riders weren't wearing helmets.

RACQ spokesman Steve Spalding says the law change, which comes into effect on November 1, will help save lives.

"Too many Queenslanders are being killed and seriously injured in quad bike incidents, so this is a good first step in improving quad bike safety," he said in a statement.

Although the legislation only applies to public roads and related spaces, RACQ has urged riders to wear safety gear wherever possible.

Those who don't comply face a $282 fine.