Source: UTV Weekly

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 14, 2011 – Two years of persistent efforts by powersports enthusiasts, dealers and other industry representatives have driven Congress to action. On February 17, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade will hold a hearing to review the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The Motorcycle Industry Council continues to focus Congress’ attention on the unintended ban on youth model ATVs and motorcycles resulting from the CPSIA’s lead content provisions – and the safety risks that the ban presents to youth riders – and has submitted a letter for the hearing.

“Congress knows that the risk to children comes from banning youth models, not from the lead in metal parts, and there now is a will to solve this problem once and for all,” said Paul Vitrano, MIC’s general counsel. “We 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, H.R. 412.”

MIC has issued a video call to action urging the powersports community to make a final push to encourage their Congressional representatives to amend the CPSIA to ensure youth ATVs and motorcycles remain available. “The timing of this hearing is perfect,” Vitrano added. “With much of the industry gathering in Indianapolis this week for the Dealer Expo, we have a tremendous opportunity to flood Capitol Hill with hand-signed letters and electronic messages asking our Representatives and Senators to stop the ban.”

Enthusiasts can use the portal on www.stopthebannow.com to send an electronic message to their Members of Congress as well as the members of the House and Senate committees with oversight of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. MIC also will again work the floor at the Dealer Expo to gather thousands of signatures on letters to Congressional leadership. For those not attending the show, the letters are available on www.stopthebannow.com.

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 industry association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment firms, media companies and consultants.

The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.