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It's Black Tuesday: Kids' bikes officially illegal!

Youth ATV and Dirt Bikes Banned by CPSIA

Posted February 10 2009 11:43 PM by Jesse Ziegler
Filed under: News

Effective today, February 10, 2009, all youth ATV and motorcycles are banned from dealer floors, service shops and made illegal to sell by anyone in the United States.

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This is actually happening. It’s not made up or exaggerated. You cannot buy a youth (defined as being intended for children 12-years old and younger) motorcycle or ATV. You can’t even buy one from a private party or your own parents.

That means no more models such as the Honda CRF50—long standing as the largest selling production motorcycle in the world (versions of it labeled as Z 50 and XR 50 included). How scary is that?

The story has been unfolding for weeks. If you’re just stumbling upon this now, here’s a blog from Dealernews with some up-to-date info. It’s not good as in cheery or happy info. But it’s as current as anything I’ve seen or been able to report.

The only grassroots glimmer of hope for the powersports industry surviving this blow is coming from Missouri State Representative Tom Self who has set up his own website as a letter-generator of sorts to Congress. Cruise over to www.tomself.com and take five minutes to send a letter. It’s crunch time. And those with influence over the Consumer Product Safety Commision (CPSC) should be aware of how important the sales of these small products are. Also, they need to know how ridiculous it is to ban them for violating a lead-content law that was intended for children’s toys.

But there’s more you can do. You can go to the CPSC Website and ask them some questions. I asked: “I strongly oppose the CPSIA's restricitions on off-road youth motorcycles and ATVs. Also, bicycles? Really? Why did you take my motorcycles, ATVs and bicycles away? My dealer said he couldn’t sell them to me. I don’t get it. I promise I won’t eat them. Can I have them back now?”

You can log on to the Congress.org website and get the phone number for your state representative(s). I got six phone numbers in ten minutes. Just type your ZIP code in the box on the top right of the screen. Then, pick your State Representatives from the list and start dialing. Easy. And a phone call really gets attention. They’re harder to ignore. So make them try and ignore you. Call your state representative!

More when I hear it.

Oh and just when you thought Dirt Bikes were the center of the world...here's a great place to really wrap your head around the mass mess-up that is the CPSIA! It's the Overlawyered blog

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Reader Comments:

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1. Holy Crap! How can they get away with this? This is really scary.

I just signed the petition at www.tomself.com, took 30 seconds, I encourage EVERYBODY to do the same.

Question... how do they decide what is a 'kids' bike and what is not? I mean I enjoy riding 50's, and last time I checked I'm not a kid... does this mean that I can't get one?

rngprerunner - Posted February 11 2009 01:50 PM

2. As much as I like to goof on Jesse, this is a great blog. I called my state's two senators and my two representatives (funny, I thought I only got one rep). Don't be intimidated to call, it's just people working the phones and taking note of your opinion. Doesn't take much time at all, and this is the most pure chance you'll get to vote. So take a few minutes to follow the link in Jesse's blog, get the contact number for your reps, and make a few calls to tell them you want them to lift this ban.

Pete Peterson - Posted February 11 2009 05:57 PM

3. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE REASON WHY SOME WOULD WANT TO TAKE MOTORCYCLES OUT OF OUR CHILDRENS LIVES. ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS IS TO TEACH A LITTLE ONE HOW TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE FACE OF A KID ,WHEN YOU TELL THEM THAT THIER BIKE IS BROKEN AND THEY CAN'T RIDE THE REST OF THE WEEKEND? IT BREAKS THIER HEART. SO WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO TELL THEM NOW? SORRY, BUT THE GOVERNMENT SAID I HAVE TO TAKE YOUR BIKE TO THE DUMP.

THANKS FOR THE INFO GUYS

CWBracing - Posted February 12 2009 10:53 AM

4. I have contacted all my officials. I still cant believe this is real.
I guess it's healthier for our children to be *** x-box zombie slaves.

chudster - Posted February 12 2009 11:37 AM

5. Wow thats not cool
I did the petition

Hope it makes a difference

hondarider08 - Posted February 12 2009 04:30 PM

6. I haven' read the "laws" on this yet, but I suspect this will be like the "ban on lightbulbs". They can't say you and I privately cannot own or sell a certain motorcycle. They can crush the manufacturers and dealers, and use their "business license" as leverage to coerce them into submission. But they can't tell you to take your bike to the dump. There might not be New units available, but the used market will go on, from private sellers to private buyers.

This will be a huge boost to the economy, huh? Right when things are tight, lets wipe out a whole market and crush the businesses that are stuck holding inventory. Brilliant. Instead of cutting education funding, maybe the people making up this kind of crap should be fired? Ya think?

garibaldi - Posted February 12 2009 06:50 PM

7. Motorcycle Industry Council and Specialty Vehicle Institute of America Rally Against Youth ATV and Motorcycle Prohibition
- Visit MIC Booth 4705 to Assist in Reaching Out to Legislators -

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 12, 2009 - The Motorcycle Industry Council and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America are doing all they can at Dealer Expo 2009, and at their offices, to help get youth ATVs and motorcycles back on showroom floors. The U.S. Government banned sales of many of these models, beginning on Tuesday, under the lead-content provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).

"We're implementing a full court press at the Dealer Expo," said Paul Vitrano, general counsel for the MIC and SVIA. "We are rallying everyone at Indy. Pre-printed letters to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which can be signed and we'll send in, will be available throughout the show. Computers will be available in the MIC business center so that dealers and exhibitors can easily make their opinions known to members of Congress."

Everyone is encouraged to visit the Web site of Americans for Responsible Recreational Access, at www.ARRA-access.com, which features a letter generator for constituents to reach their own members of Congress. The MIC also is alerting stakeholders about a new Web site that state Rep. Tom Self of Missouri has launched in support of youth off-highway vehicles. The site, at www.tomself.com, offers e-mail templates to simplify sending messages to members of Congress with oversight of the CPSC.

For weeks, the MIC and SVIA have urged the CPSC to grant (and for members of Congress to support) petitions for temporary exclusions so that youth models could continue to be sold. The powersports industry demonstrated in the petitions, through the scientific analysis required by the CPSIA, that the lead-containing parts of youth ATVs and motorcycles pose no risk of increasing the lead levels in children aged 12 and younger.

On Feb. 5, the CPSC denied a request for an emergency stay, made by the National Association of Manufacturers CPSC Coalition, and joined by the MIC and SVIA. The CPSC stated that it did not have authority under the law to grant such a stay.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, however, includes provisions that enable the CPSC to grant exclusions for products on a case-by-case basis. The MIC and SVIA believe that the lead-content provisions of the act, which originally were aimed at toys that can be mouthed by children, were never intended to apply to youth ATVs and motorcycles.

On Feb. 10, the lead-content provisions of the CPSIA went into effect. Powersports companies are now prohibited from selling products that are intended primarily for youth, aged 12 and under, and having lead content in excess of the limits identified in the act.

The impact of this act is far-reaching. Applying the new lead-content regulations to youth models has resulted in many smaller models being unavailable to families, and could mean more children riding adult-only ATVs or dirt bikes that are too large for them.

Most of the components making up youth powersports products are in compliance. But some parts unavoidably contain small quantities of lead in excess of the CPSIA limits, such as the valve stems on the tires, the aluminum in some brake components and the terminals on the batteries. Lead in these components is necessary, either because small amounts of lead are needed for safety (such as machining the deep grooves on tire valves, which is needed to assure tire air retention) or functionality (such as the lead in battery terminals, which is needed to conduct electricity).

"It's critical for everyone within the business, and for all of our customers, to step up and support the petitions now in front of the CPSC," Vitrano said. "The ban is harming motorcycling and ATV riding right now. Dealernews has estimated that affected inventories could be more than $100 million. Kids don't have a chance to get on the bikes and ATVs sized for them. We need the power and voice of the industry, as well as enthusiasts, to reinforce our concerns in Washington. We're only asking for common-sense exclusions for powersports parts that simply do not present any risk to children in the real world. Kids don't lick or eat ATV and motorcycle components."

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Since 1983, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America? has promoted the safe and responsible use of All-Terrain Vehicles through rider training programs, public awareness campaigns, and state legislation. The SVIA also serves as a resource for ATV research, statistics, and vehicle standards. The SVIA, based in Irvine, Calif., is a not-for-profit trade association sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, CROSSRUNNER, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, Polaris, Suzuki, Tomberlin and Yamaha. For membership information, call (949) 727-3727. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourseSM nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org and click on "Online Enrollment" or call (800) 887-2887.

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. It is a not-for-profit, national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as publishing companies, advertising agencies, insurance firms and consultants. The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office adjacent to Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914.

ScooterB024 - Posted February 13 2009 07:15 AM

8. The George W Bush mentality is still alive and flourishing.
Darn shame idiots like these people have the power they do.A ball bat to the back of the head is needed for these jerks.

FapFap - Posted February 14 2009 10:34 AM

9. I am just curious if they will try to scientifically measure and study how much actual exposure to "lead" a kid would actually be subjected to while riding a dirtbike/bike and possibly helping doing regular maintenance ? Should they also go the extra mile and test all the handgrips and see if they are made out of any "banned substances" or leak out tiny particles of lead, too?? I can't imagine this making any sense in terms of risk to any kids besides potential for injury or perhaps the negative effect of carbon monoxide inhalation for extended periods.

No idea how this should rule have ever passed. This is out of control!!!

Interesting idea but I fail to see the connection

lres - Posted February 14 2009 12:40 PM

10. Ive been riding and racing for three years now and one of my favorite things about it is watching all those little guys and girls uot there havin the time of their life and i have never ever seen one of them out there licking the sub frame or suckin on a throtle tube this is a bunch of bull thank you tom self for putting up the fight for us and all the little racers and rider that cant

KDUB206 - Posted February 15 2009 06:19 PM

11. Consider that Congress passed the so called "stimulus", Friday, the 13th bill, without taking time to read it or consider consequences. Even more Congressmen voted for this anti-lead mess. The problem was lead in toys from China, not youth motorcycles, old library books, home crafted toys, and a host of other threatened items. If Congress does not read bills and think of consequences, why are they in Washington? To produce more hot air that contributes to global warming.

csnold - Posted February 16 2009 09:48 AM

12. I'm just crying as I read these comments. It is so surreal what is happening!

Here is a Dr. Seuss style story about the CPSIA -- hopefully it will bring a smile to your faces.

<a href="http://easyfunschool.com/the_CPSIA_meets_Dr_Seuss.html">
http://easyfunschool.com/the_CPSIA_meets_Dr_Seuss.html</a>

belovedbks - Posted February 24 2009 09:29 PM

13. Here is the link again w/o code:

http://easyfunschool.com/the_CPSIA_meets_Dr_Seuss.html

belovedbks - Posted February 24 2009 09:30 PM

14. What ever happened to parents being responsible for their children and doing what is in the best interest of them. The Government needs to re-think there involvement in "our" child's lives and leave the responsibility to the parents, if the the parents are not taking care of business with their children that is another problem altogether and has nothing to do with Powersports.
The last time I took my family out for a day of riding dirt bikes and lunch time was upon us, my kids didn't jump off there bikes and start chewing on there valve stems.
Leave the parenting to the people that willingly take responsibility for their children.

sbkluvr - Posted February 27 2009 10:35 AM

15. Check out this web site this is the amendment to the bill stating that the age has been changed from 12 to 7 years old.
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/webreturn/?url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.608:

travis88 - Posted March 24 2009 06:16 PM

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