Washington D.C., Feb. 25, 2011 – Today, the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) delivered more than 3,000 letters to Congress signed by motorcycle industry professionals that have had their livelihoods impacted by the lead content provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The MIC collected letters that were signed by dealership personnel, owners, and show exhibitors at the Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 18-20. The MIC also initiated a nationwide grassroots effort last week that has resulted in more than 135,000 email messages and faxes sent from enthusiasts to Members of Congress urging them to stop the ban on youth all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and dirt bikes. The effort continues at www.stopthebannow.com.
“The final push to stop the ban on youth ATVs and dirt bikes in on,” said Paul Vitrano, general counsel of the MIC. “We believe that Congress is set to act to permanently address this issue by amending the CPSIA this year. In fact, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade held a hearing to review the unintended consequences of CPSIA on February 17. It is clear that Congress is responding to two years of persistent efforts, but now is not the time to let up.”
The letters collected in Indianapolis were delivered to Chair Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and to Chair Fred Upton (R-MI) and Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-CA) of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The CPSIA’s lead provisions, which require products primarily intended for children age 12 and under to meet stringent lead limits, unintentionally banned youth model ATVs and dirt bikes. The letters, emails and faxes urge Congress to stop the ban by either lowering the age range of “children’s products” to age 6 and under or granting a categorical exemption for youth ATVs and motorcycles, as provided in Representative Denny Rehberg’s bill, the Kids
