Take action now: Help stop the ban on youth model OHVs

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) has effectively banned the sale of youth off-highway vehicles (OHVs) as of Feb. 10, 2009. The AMA is calling for action now to help reverse the potentially devastating effect this could have on the sport of OHV recreation.

Here are some quick links to ways you can help reverse this decision:

• Contact your representatives in Congress by using the Take Action button in the Issues and Legislation section of this website.
• Write the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) directly to encourage them to exclude youth model OHVs here.
• Read the AMA press release on this issue here.
• Read the AMA's comments to the CPSC here.
• Click here to download a PDF version of the CPSIA.
• Regarding the use of motorcycles purchased prior to Feb. 10, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) has compiled a list of prohibited acts in the CPSIA. Neither riding a previously purchased motorcycle nor promoting a race that includes those motorcycles is included on that list. Download the list from the CRS here.

See below for a sample letter to cut, paste, edit and submit to the CPSC:

Acting Chairman Nancy Nord
Commissioner Thomas Moore
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East-West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814

RE: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

Dear Chairman Nord and Commissioner Moore:

My family is heavily involved in youth motorized recreation, and Im extremely concerned with the devastating affects that the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is having on our sport.   

Because some youth-model off-highway motorcycles and ATVs are intended primarily for use by children ages 12 and younger, these vehicles are subject to the lead content limits specified in the CPSIA. According to motorcycle and ATV industry sources, most motorcycle and ATV components are compliant with the CPSIAs lead limits, but some components unavoidably contain small quantities of lead in excess of the CPSIAs limits. However, the nature and location of these components suggests a very minimal exposure risk.

Although the CPSC published proposed procedures for seeking exclusion from the lead limits, there was no practical way for manufacturers and distributors of ATVs and off-highway motorcycles to seek and obtain exclusions prior to the Feb. 10 effective date for the new requirements. Thus, my motorcycle dealer can no longer sell certain youth-model machines or the parts that I need to maintain my familys youth machines.

I fear that if this issue is not addressed immediately, irreparable harm will be done to the powersports industry. Many of the small dealers and suppliers are already struggling with an unfavorable economy and will not survive the loss of their youth vehicle and parts sales.

Furthermore, it is of utmost importance that young riders only ride appropriately sized machines. To suddenly eliminate the availability of all ATVs and motorcycles designed for riders ages 12 and under will likely cause some consumers to purchase vehicles that are physically too large for young riders.  

In summary, the unreasonable and rushed implementation of the CPSIA is unwarranted and unnecessarily harmful to my familys recreation, and may negatively affect youth motorcycle and ATV safety.

I respectfully request that you grant the manufacturers and distributers petitions for emergency relief and temporary exclusion from the lead limits of the CPSIA.

Sincerely,

[signed]