75 Federal Lawmakers Now Support Kids Just Want To Ride Act
A bill that would exempt kids' off-highway vehicles (OHVs) from a
law that effectively bans their sale at the end of the year is
gaining more support in Congress, the American Motorcyclist
Association (AMA) reports.
Seventy-five U.S. House members now support the bill -- H.R. 412,
the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, introduced by Rep. Denny Rehberg
(R-Mont.) -- that would exempt kids' OHVs from the lead-content
portion of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of
2008.
"The Kids Just Want To Ride Act has broad bipartisan support, but
that's not why it deserves to become a law," Rehberg said. "It
deserves to become a law because it's good policy that will keep
kids safe and preserve jobs. There are plenty of things to argue
about in Congress, but keeping kids safe by allowing them to ride
on kid-sized motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles shouldn't be one of
them."
Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas), who is co-chairman of the
Congressional Motorcycle Caucus and a co-signor of H.R. 412, also
stressed the safety aspects of the bill.
"As a medical doctor, I know how important safety is and [I] am
pleased to hear that 75 members of Congress have now co-sponsored
this important legislation," Burgess said. "Bills like the Kids
Just Want to Ride Act demonstrate that Congress can provide
flexibility for companies while ensuring safety for consumers."
H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, is aimed squarely at the
CPSIA, which is commonly known as the lead law. The CPSIA bans the
making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended
for children 12 and under that contains more than a specified
amount of lead in any accessible part.
The CPSIA also requires that all childrens' products undergo
periodic testing by independent laboratories approved by the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which is responsible for
implementing the law.
The CPSC has delayed enforcing key portions of the law until after
the end of the year. Unless the CPSIA is changed, the sale of kids'
dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) will effectively be
banned.
"Many lawmakers on Capitol Hill recognize that a common-sense
solution is needed to solve the problems created by the CPSIA so
that families can continue to enjoy responsible outdoor motorized
recreation," said Rick Podliska, AMA Washington representative.
"And almost daily, more and more lawmakers are recognizing that
H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, offers that common-sense
solution."
The latest flood of support for the Kids Just Want to Ride Act
follows a day of lobbying by kids and their parents who descended
on Washington, D.C., in late May as part of the AMA Family Capitol
Hill Climb lobbying effort. The children, dressed in motocross
gear, and their parents shared their stories about enjoying
responsible motorized recreation, and the need to change the CPSIA,
in discussions with lawmakers and congressional staff members.
Podliska noted, however, that some lawmakers may still be unaware
of H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act. He is urging anyone
concerned about the future of off-highway riding for youth to
contact their federal lawmakers and ask them to support H.R.
412.
The easiest way to contact your lawmaker on the issue is to go to
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/IssuesLegislation.aspx.
