Consumer Product
Safety Commission may not act on Industry petition
for Youth ATV Exemption
Washington, D.C. (3/9/2009) - A
congressional act may be the only way to get the
ban of youth ATVs and motorcycles lifted. A new
MIC/SVIA website has been created to help solve
this issue.
Paul Vitrano, General Counsel for the Motorcycle
Industry Council announced a new website called
"Stop the Ban" website http://www.mic.org/letters.cfm
for several ways to contact Congress to request
relief for the powersports industry. In addition,
MIC issued the following regarding the lead ban
that has affected business and riders across the
nation:
Statement of the Motorcycle Industry Council
and Specialty Vehicle Institute of America regarding
CPSC Ruling on CPSIA.
At a press conference hosted by Rep. Tom Self
of Missouri on March 4, Paul Vitrano, General
Counsel, Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and
Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA)
stated that the powersports industry is being
severely harmed by the ban on most youth all-terrain
vehicles and off-highway motorcycles. The ban
is a result, unintended or otherwise from the
CPSIA legislation and is a very serious concern
because of the consequences.
Serious because:
With these ATVs unavailable to families, we may
see more kids on adult ATVs. We know this leads
to crashes. The CPSC, the ATV industry, consumer
groups, safety advocates and parents all agree:
It's critical to keep riders under the age of
16 off of large ATVs designed for adults. The
CPSC, consumer advocates and industry have worked
for years to get kids onto youth model ATVs, many
of which are now not available because of the
unintended consequences of this legislation.
In addition, families with smaller dirt bike
enthusiasts may be tempted to put young riders
on motorcycles that are too large for them. This
also raises the risk of injury.
It's serious because:
The potential losses for the industry are massive
- up to $1 billion in retail economic value annually.
This at a time when our industry, along with thousands
of big and small businesses, are struggling because
of the economic downturn. Tens of thousands of
small businesses across America have been severely
hurt because these vehicles are sitting in warehouses
and not on showroom floors. Meanwhile, the sales
of goods like protective gear, accessories, and
parts and services, are virtually non-existent.
Thanks to the efforts of Tom Self and the thousands
of dealers in the industry, the media is starting
to report on the obvious, that kids won't eat
or lick their ATVs and motorcycles.
While that is true, it is also important to note
that the industry has submitted scientific evidence
using the analytical method required by the legislation.
This evidence proves that the lead-containing
components, parts and accessories of these vehicles
- essential for safety or functionality issues
- pose no risk of causing measurable increase
in blood lead levels in children aged 12 and younger.
Unfortunately the signals from CPSC are not good.
CPSC Commissioners voted just last night on procedures
for determining exclusions. Based on both Commissioners'
interpretations of the law, we are not optimistic
that the exclusion for youth model ATVs and dirt
bikes will be granted.
Now the industry is caught in the middle of a
fight between Congress and the CPSC. Congress
gave the CPSC the power to grant merited, common-sense
exclusions, such as ATVs and off-highway motorcycles,
from the lead standards. We urge the CPSC to grant
our requests for exclusions.
If CPSC believes its hands are tied because of
the way the legislation was written, Congress
needs to amend the law to restore common sense
and make exclusions available for youth ATVs and
dirt bikes.
These products present no health risk to children.
There is no practical reason for our industry
to be harmed by an unintended effect of this law.
Each day this ban continues compounds the severe
hardship on businesses and families, and works
against the ATV safety efforts of CPSC, industry
and consumer advocates. And it could well contribute
to more crashes among young dirt bike riders.
Congress and the CPSC need to end this ban -
NOW.
www.nohvcc.org
Great Falls, MT 59404
800-348-6487
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