Let the Kids Ride! New CPSC Act Essentially Outlaws Youth Motocross

Effective February 10th, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has effectively outlawed all power sports equipment for children under the age of 13. Connecticut residents will recall in years past where motocross racing was outlawed for children under the age of 13. This new act, however, is quite different. It outlaws the sale of both new units but also parts for late model vehicles due to their high lead content. From the article on Racer X:

We have already begun to experience the devastating consequences of this new legislation upon our sport, as OEMs have already pulled these machines from their showroom floors. Youth racing is the foundation of our sport. That is when most of you fell in love with motorcycles in the first place, only to grow up to bring your own kids back to the racetracks. Only now, they can’t ride.

This recent act has all but shut down the entire small powersports industry in all of America. From racing to riding, children under the age of 13 are facing a future without motocross. This is, obviously, horrible for the entire industry and will affect bike sales throughout the lineup, not just for smaller models.

We All Know Lead is Bad

Photo by NIOSH on Flickr.

Let’s face it, lead is a dangerous substance. Everyone knows it. It has caused thousands of health issues throughout our country, and the changes we have made as a country in the past years are remarkable. There is no doubt that lead needs to be all but eliminated in our world.

On the contrary, this recent move by the CPSC is irrational to say the least. While I do believe that in the long term, lead should be eliminated the truth is that lead, along with many other toxic chemicals, it is, and has been for many years, in motocross bike parts. Has this ever caused health issues for the thousands of youths who enjoy motocross each year? Have you ever heard reports of children becoming sick due to use of their motorcycle? Absolutely not. The lead in motorcycles is not in a position to harm the children, and while I still believed it should be eliminated, it is not of direct harm to young motocross riders.

Slower Transition

So what would be the best way to go about removing lead form children’s (and adult’s) motocross bikes? A slow, gradual transition to lead free components. Rather then outlawing the current models in one broad swoop, the CPSC should have set a series of guidelines set to gradually eliminate lead in all motorcycles within the next 5 to 10 years. This could have included an act for motorcycle manufacturers to have the lead content down to 50% of what it is today by 2010, 25% by 2012, 12% by 2014 and totally eliminated by 2016. This method would have been both safe, economically feasible, and controlled. However, rather than do what is rational, the CPSC decided to essentially eliminate nearly half of the motorcycle/motocross industries market in one act.

Economic Impact of the Ban

There is no doubt that our world, country, and industry are in tough economic times. While the motocross industry may not be a huge economic boom to the small towns visited by motocross races throughout the summer months, it does provide a small economic boost to the small mom and pop stores surrounding the tracks we love. In addition, motocross is an economic dependency for track and shop owners alike.

This recent ban which eliminates the market for children’s motocross will have short and long term effects on the motocross economy. In the short term, track and shop owners profits will be cut nearly in half. With almost half of their demographic eliminated, they will quickly fall into economic turmoil. Motorcycle shops and track are already in a tough situation economically, but without little Johnny running around the shop begging Dad for the latest gear, they will be hit even harder. We all know that small children are a huge market, and this recent ban eliminates that market, and with it, almost instantly limits the potential profits of many motorcycle based businesses.

The long term effects, however, are even more frightening. Without a strong youth rider base, the entire motocross industry will quickly decline. The youth are the heart, the soul, and the backbone of the motocross industry. Who begs their parents to take them to the track every weekend? Who convinces their dad to hop back on a bike after 20 years of not riding? Who stays up late on Saturday nights to watch the live broadcast of Anaheim 1? Under 13 year old motocross fanatics, thats who.

Without this entire group ever being exposed to motocross, amateur races will be in desperate need for riders, and the entire skill level of the sport will drop significantly. For example, Ryan Villopoto went pro at age 16. If he had never raced a dirt bike before the age of 13, do you believe he would have been as good as he was at age 16? Absolutely not! Not only will it be harder to get gets interested in motocross at age 13, but it will take more time for their skills develop to the point that they can make a serious contribution to the sport on the pro level.

This ban immediately eliminates the youth motocross market, and leaves the sport in a situation where future talent will be hard to come by, and riders will no longer peak at the age of 16, but at a much later age, if at all.

Motocross is a Family Sport

Original photo by Fazen removed.

Photo by GuiGuiBu91 on Flickr.

Anyone who rides, or has ever ridden a dirt bike has certainly noticed one thing, it brings families together. Motocross families are some of the tightest knit clans that I know. We spend every weekend traveling hours, setting up hundreds of pounds of equipment and racing in some of the gnarliest conditions known to man. Our grit and determination helps families to relate to each other and ultimately results in more dynamic family values and relationships.

By this same virtue, motocross racers are some of the best kids I know. Determined, focused, and hard working, motocross teaches kids a host of important life skills that would be impossible to learn anywhere else. Motocross helps keep kids off the streets, and ultimately starts them off the path to a better life. Motocross keeps kids out of trouble, which is extremely important in this current era when drugs, crimes and juvenile deliquesce runs rampant amongst most teens.

This ban by the CPSC, completely eliminates this strong central bonding experience which has helped to bring families together, and has shaped thousands of children’s lives. Ultimately this will result in less kids riding dirt bikes and more kids getting into drugs and crime. I know that motorcycling and thus motocross has a connotation as somewhat of a rebellious sport, but the truth is that it is good for children of all ages and teaches them crucial values. Without it, many kids will be lost in their lives, with nothing to strive and nothing to work for, and as a result will find other uses of their time. Uses that are both detrimental to themselves and their society.

Lets Work Together to Stop This Ban!

Photo by Paul Buckley.

Don’t let the government and the CPSC step all over yours and your children’s rights to ride motocross. We need to work together in order to stop this ban and bring back children’s motocross. Here is a list of things you can do in order to help the situation.

• Spread the Word: Do you have a podcast or blog? Are you active on social networks? Leverage this communities to your advantage. Spread the word of this atrociety and make sure that all of your friends are aware of the ban and are helping in the fight.
• Submit a Letter: The following letter has been prepared by the MIC to be sent to the CPSC in support of the petition and ultimately in support of the removal of this ban. Download CPSC Letter Here
• Sign the Petition: visit http://www.tomself.com/, submit your info and sign the petition.
• Write to your Congressmen and Senators: Let them know the far reaching affects of this law and the many benefits provided to families by the small powers ports industry.
• Watch and Spread the Video: Matt Wozney of MXPTV has produced an awesome video regarding the ban. Watch it, spread the link, and embed it on your site. The more people aware of this issue the better.

This ban is, and will continue to be incredible detrimental to our sport, our families and our industry. Hopefully we can work together to get this banned as I fully believe that it is 100% out of line, unconstitutional and will have incredible impact on thousands of young children in the years to come.

UPDATE – Due to the overwhelming response to this article if you want to take action please visit www.TomSelf.com to sign a petition or contact your local State Senator or Representative.

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