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Consumer Product Safety Commission AGAINST Exempting Youth Vehicles

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April 2, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Pete terHorst

Phone: (877) 877-8969

E-mail: peter.terhorst@sympoint.com

Digital images available upon request

CPSC staff recommends AGAINST exempting children's dirt bikes and ATVs from strict anti-lead law

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recommending that the agency refuse to grant an exemption for youth-model off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) from a new anti-lead law, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

The law, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) that took effect in February, has stopped the sale of dirt bikes and ATVs for children 12 or under. The law was meant to protect children from dangerous levels of lead in toys, but it was written so broadly that it also governs such things as children's books, clothes, motorcycles and ATVs.

Under the CPSIA, all youth products containing lead must have less than 600 parts per million by weight. The CPSC has interpreted the law to apply to various components of youth-sized off-highway vehicles (OHV) including the engine, brakes, suspension, battery and other mechanical parts. Even though the lead levels in these parts are small, they are still above the minimum threshold.

The CPSC staff admits that the risk of exposure to lead from OHVs is relatively low. But the staff told the commissioners that the law is written so strictly that no lead absorption into the body is allowed. As a result, motorcycles and ATVs shouldn't be exempt from the law.

In light of this new recommendation, Ed Moreland, AMA vice president of government relations, is urging all motorcyclists and ATV riders to contact their U.S. Senate and House members. Moreland wants riders to ask their lawmakers to support letters being circulated on Capitol Hill that ask the CPSC to grant exemptions from the lead law for kids' dirt bikes and ATVs.

"The CPSC is expected to vote on the staff recommendation soon," Moreland said, "so motorcyclists and ATV riders need to contact their federal lawmakers now."

Moreland added that riders should also tell Congress to support two bills aimed at righting this oversight: H.R. 1587 and S. 608.

The easiest way to take action is by visiting www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com, clicking on the "Rights" section and then "Issues and Legislation." AMA members will also find a card in the May issue of American Motorcyclist addressed to the CPSC that they can mail.

Interested parties can also sign up in the "Rights" section to get e-mail Action Alerts to keep abreast of issues threatening motorcycling and ATV riding, and to take action.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has promoted and protected the motorcycling lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycle organization with nearly 300,000 members, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition events than any other organization in the world. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

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Ahhhh, the government......always looking out for our own good, common sense be damned!

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Here's an easy way to take action, compliments of the AMA:

Go here: http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/rapidresponse.asp

Click on "TAKE ACTION"

Fill in your information and click send. It will automatically find your representatives and format the email.

While you're at it, check "Sign me up for the Action E-List." to stay informed of what's going on with future issues.

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I don't get it. Is it even possible for a child of age 12 or younger to legally purchase a motorcycle. Regardless of the size of the machine. Couldn't the manufacturers simply rebadge the vehicle as "small size adult" motorcycles or even "minibikes for adults". The parents would then be able to buy them for "themselves" and do what they want with them. Hell the manufacturers could even put the disclaimer tag on the "minibikes" just like they do on the larger displacement quads; not for use by children 16 or younger...

I don't agree with the CPSC but like most laws there seems to be an easy way around it.

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