AMA urges action on bipartisan Congressional letters to end the ban on the sale
of youth-model motorcycles and ATVs

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is urging AMA
members and concerned motorcyclists to push their federal lawmakers to support two
letters being circulated by members of Congress that ask the Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) to exclude youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the Consumer
Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
The CPSIA, intended to curtail the sale of toys containing lead to children 12-years-old
and under, inadvertently ensnared youth-model motorcycles and ATVs because certain
parts, including batteries and valve stems, may contain lead. The AMA, its members
and other motorcycle groups have been supporting an industry petition for exclusion
from the regulation since early February.
Now, as the CPSC prepares to vote on whether it will grant that exclusion, a group
of lawmakers has drafted two letters--one in the House and one in the Senate--urging
the CPSC to allow the sale of youth-model motorcycles and ATVs. The lawmakers are:
Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Sam Brownback (R-Kan.); and
Reps. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.-AL), and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.-AL).
"AMA members and motorcyclists everywhere have shown that we can make a difference
when we pull together and act as a group," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president
of government relations. "Now is the time to work with your elected representatives
and urge them to sign on to these Congressional letters to the CPSC, and to support
the two bills aimed at righting this oversight: H.R. 1587 and S. 608. It's clear
 that when both political parties and both houses of Congress agree on something
 like this, change needs to happen."
The CPSC needs to take action to stop the unintended consequences of its widespread
ban on children's toys, noted Sen. Jon Tester, vice chairman of the Congressional
Sportsmen's Caucus, sponsor of S. 608 and one of the original co-signers of the
Senate letter.
"I introduced legislation to put common sense back into the equation and to keep
 motorsports an important part of our outdoor heritage," Sen. Tester said. "Access
to the outdoors is an American value, and motorsports provide that access for countless
families. Young folks ought to be able to ride bikes and ATVs responsibly, not be
held back because of rules that apply to toys."
Rep. Rehberg, an original co-signer of the House letter and whose bill, H.R. 1587,
is also intended to eliminate the ban, echoed those sentiments.
"While Congress is working on a permanent legislative fix to this serious misapplication
of the law, I hope that the Commission does the responsible thing by exempting youth-sized
off-road vehicles like ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles from the overreaching federal
lead regulations," he said. "I'm glad I have the opportunity to work with the American
Motorcyclist Association on an issue of such importance to so many Montanans."
Noted Rep. Herseth Sandlin, also one of the original co-signers of the House letter:
"It was clearly not Congressional intent to ban the sale of youth motorcycles and
all-terrain vehicles. Providing a common-sense exemption for these products will
 ultimately protect the safety of young riders by ensuring availability of appropriately
sized machines."
The CPSC is expected to vote on the matter soon. AMA members and others can take
 action by visiting www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com, clicking on the "Rights" section
and then "Issues and Legislation." AMA members will also find a self-addressed card
in the May issue of American Motorcyclist that they can mail directly to the CPSC.
Interested parties can also sign up to get e-mail Action Alerts in the "Rights"
section to keep abreast of issues threatening motorcycling and ATV riding.