IRVINE, March 16, 2010 – Joining a chorus of riders across the country, motorcycling superstars Carey Hart, Chad Reed and Jason Britton each recorded videos at the recent Dealernews International Dealer Expo 2011 in Indianapolis encouraging Congress to stop the ban on youth-model ATVs and motorcycles.
All of the videos can be viewed at the Motorcycle Industry Council’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/motoindustrycouncil.
Concerned riders have sent more than 135,000 electronic messages and 3,000 signed letters to Congress since the final push of the Stop the Ban campaign began four weeks ago.
Professional freestyle rider and off-road racer Hart shared his own story on the importance of letting youth continue to ride.
“I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was four,” said Hart. “If it wasn’t for the ability to start riding at such a young age, I probably wouldn’t be where I am in my career. I think it’s a great, healthy sport. It’s something that kept me out of trouble and on the straight and narrow my entire life, and it’s not really fair for anybody to short-change that.”
Hart wrapped up his message to Congress with an appeal. “Congress, please stop the ban on kids’ ATVs and dirt bikes. It’s just getting ridiculous.”
Professional AMA Supercross racer and 2009 Champion Reed highlighted the importance of letting youth ride appropriately sized vehicles. Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, the manufacture and sale of youth-size vehicles is effectively prohibited, which causes more young riders to ride vehicles that are too large in size and displacement.
“Unfortunately, it’s a sport where you need to ride motorcycles at a young age to learn that skill and grow with the motorcycles, grow with the power and get used to it, so I totally support keeping them around and keeping young kids on [them].”
While sharing Reeds sentiments on riding the right size vehicle, professional sport bike freestyle rider Britton discussed the importance that riding has within many American families.
“I ride with my family on weekends, on great outings, great family gatherings,” said Britton. “Nowadays, with the lead ban, the kids can’t go out and ride bikes that are the proper size. They have to get on bigger vehicles that are too big for them and make them more dangerous. Please lift this ban so our kids can go out and we can enjoy family outings again. We know you can do it Congress. Lift this ban so we can bring our families back together.”
Additional motorcycle and off-road celebrities recorded videos for the Capitol. LE Tonglet, 2010 NHRA Pro Stock motorcycle champion, Jeremy Higgins, AMA professional Single and Twin Series racer, and Jesse Combs, racer, metal fabricator and television personality, shared with Congress how important it was to stop the lead ban.
“Whether you ride on the weekends or as a profession, it is clear to enthusiasts across the country that the lead content in youth off-highway vehicles poses no risk to kids,” said Paul Vitrano, general counsel of the MIC. “We thank these celebrities for adding their powerful voices to the chorus of riders who continue to work for our cause. The message is clear. Now is the time for Congress to act.”
Please visit www.stopthebannow.com to have your voice heard and for background information, FAQs, and public outreach tools for the Stop The Ban Campaign.
