WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS MIS-GUIDED CHILD SAFTY LAW

In his nearly thirty-five years riding dirt bikes, Dwight Maggard has never had to answer questions like this...

"Number one reaction is how and why did this go through, and I don't have an answer for it," he says.

But, one-third of his business has been put into storage.

"It's really got us in a bind."

The reason - they're marketed to kids. All ATV's and dirt bikes for kids twelve and under can no longer be sold.

"We were told opening business hours on the 10th, everything had to be pulled off the showroom floor."

The law says if there are exposed parts containing lead, the product can no longer be sold. It calls these parts "hazardous substances" that could be ingested.

But, Dwight says, "I don't see a 12-year-old going out in the garage and licking on his motorcycle or chewing pieces on it. I just.. I don't see that happening."

Missouri State Representative Tom Self is leading a campaign in the House to have an exemption for kids motorsports. Check out his website at
www.tomself.com

SHAWNEE, Kan – A new federal law designed to protect children is hurting businesses that sell ATVs and dirt bikes.

Last week, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act took effect. Congress passed the law last year to keep toys containing lead out of the hands of children. Now products containing more than 600 parts per million total lead cannot be sold.

The law is banning dealerships like Shawnee Cycle Plaza from selling all products designed for kids 12 years old and younger.

“We had to pull all the inventory off the floor and off our web site,” said store owner Barry Bunner. “Customers think it’s a joke. They don’t understand.”

Bunner does not understand the new lead law, either. Most people think of lead paint in toys, but the metal also is used in some bike parts like the engine casing, batteries and tire valve stems.

“Who is going to be chewing on the casing of a motorcycle? It just doesn’t make sense,” Bunner said.

On Tuesday, a process line of workers wheeled about 30 units--more than $100,000 of inventory—off the showroom and into a warehouse where they will gather dust.

To make matters worse, the law also throws a wrench in repair work for the youth bikes and ATVs. It is against the law to sell replacement parts as well, Bunner explained. At a time when the economy is making things tough enough on businesses, he said the broad law is making sluggish sales even worse.

A sales manager at Advantage Power Sports in Kansas City said his store has about 35 machines that are sitting idle.

Jeff Patterson, who is teaching his 6-year-old son Mason how to ride a dirt bike, said the law is missing some common sense. Mason is about to outgrow his dirt bike, but if he and his dad walked into a store to buy a new one, they would be out of luck.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” said Patterson, a member of the American Motorcycle Association. “I understand the hazards of lead but to completely ban motorcycles for sale, I think it’s outrageous.”

Manufacturers like Honda, Kawasaki, Polaris and Suzuki are lobbying the Consumer Product Safety Commission to get an exemption from the lead law. They are also testing their products, trying to prove to the government that they make the grade when it comes to lead safety levels.

For now, an estimated $100 million of inventory across the country will stay parked in storage. A violation of the lead law could carry a fine of about $1,800 for the first offence.

In a Ironic twist a new Law that was "supposed to keep children safe "is making ATV'ING & Dirt Biking DANGERIOUS!

Small ATVs and Dirt Bikes Outlawed Nationwide

By Doug Magditch, KSPR News

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP THE MADDNESS OF " BIG BROTHER"

URGENT

SEND A LETTER TO THE U.S. CONGRESS

Office Contact Information

We have this ATV & others like it in Stock - BUT -We can NOT SELL IT TO YOU!!!!