A few years ago the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) instituted a piece of legislation called Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. This law was designed to protect our children from the harms of lead in the products they use. The problem with this law is that it is so broadly written that it also affects dirt bikes, ATVs, skateboards, and bicycles. I don't know about you, but I have never seen a kid sitting on the side of the road sucking on his skateboard!
The implications Of this act are huge! ATV and dirt bike dealers will no longer be able to sell smaller models. My son's little pw50 that he learned to ride on would be illegal for me to sell or pass on to someone else. Because of the public outcry the CPSC placed a temporary stay of enforcement on dirt bike and ATV dealers so that the issues with the act could be straightened out. That stay is set to expire soon and at this time there is no resolution in place.
Representative Danny Rehberg of Montana has proposed a bill called Kids Just Want to Ride Act, H.R. 412. The purpose of this act is to undo some of the broadness of the CPSC. No matter how you feel about kids on bikes, please take a moment to consider the economic implications of this act. Do we really need yet another industry crippled NOW??? Dealers don't just sell small bikes to families with children. Smaller dirt bikes and ATVs are also used by small adults. I am petite and the size bike I would choose for myself will be eliminated if this law is not rectified. Please take a moment to contact your state representative and support this bill!
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming ;)
1 comment:
Here is what I wrote to our representative:
Hi Mr. Nugent, I am asking you to support HR 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride act. While I appreciate the intent of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, I feel that the law is far too broadly written and unfairly punishes children who take part in recreational ATV and dirt bike riding. My son is a very talented rider and this is a sport that our family and extended family participate in. Without this legislation we will not be able to buy new bikes as he and his cousins grow. As riders we are safety conscious and environmentally concerned. Please support this bill and allow the children in our family to continue to participate in a sport they love. Thank you.
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