Young motorcyclists seek lead-law exemption

From the American Motorcyclist Association

PICKERINGTON, OH -- Young riders, parents, state lawmakers and others concerned about the current federal ban on selling youth dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) rallied on the steps of the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, Wednesday, March 4, to support an exemption to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

The press conference that followed was organized by State Rep. Tom Self (R-Cole Camp), who also sponsored a successful Missouri House resolution urging the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to "provide a waiver or exclusion for youth ATVs and motorcycles from the lead limit requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act."

Under the CPSIA, which took effect Feb. 10, manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers are barred from making, importing, distributing or selling any product intended for children 12 and under that contains more than 600 parts per million of lead in any accessible part. According to the CPSC, that includes youth-sized motorcycles and ATVs, which include lead in such things as batteries, brakes and engines. The ban also shelves many parts needed for repair.

The CPSIA greatly concerns the AMA, the industry and the off-highway vehicle (OHV) community because it encourages parents to put their youngsters on adult-sized OHVs. There is also great concern for the survival of powersports dealers and their employees, which are already struggling given the current recession. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, the CPSIA could lead to $1 billion (U.S.) in lost economic value annually for the industry.

"Washington, D.C. tells us that this ban is a result of unintended consequences, effectively passing the buck," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, who spoke at the rally. "That's not good enough. These changes need to be made now before kids are injured, and thousands of small family-owned businesses are needlessly put out of business."