An executive from the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) will testify at tomorrow’s House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection regarding amendments to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and the unintended consequences that have severely impacted youth riders of
dirt bikes and
ATVs and the motorcycle/ATV industry at large. Paul Vitrano, General Counsel of the MIC has been invited to provide testimony at the hearing, which takes place at 10AM EDT on April 29.
One of the items to be discussed at tomorrow’s hearing will be the unintended consequences of banning youth motorcycles/ATV’s. With the absence of youth models children 12 years and older are far more likely to ride larger and faster adult model vehicles.
Vitrano will emphasize that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has acknowledged the ban will likely result in children 12 years of age and younger riding larger and faster adult-size vehicles, a known safety risk. For example, CPSC studies show almost 90% of youth injuries and fatalities occur on adult-size ATVs.
“The real risk to children comes from banning youth models, not from the lead in certain components,” said Vitrano. “The CPSC’s scientists acknowledge that the presence of lead in metal alloys in these youth models – needed for functionality, durability and other reasons that are safety critical to the components – does not present a health hazard to children.”
Proposed legislation that could permanently stop the ban will be discussed at the hearing.
“The only permanent solution is a legislative solution,” noted Vitrano. “I would like to thank the Subcommittee for taking this issue on, and the entire industry is excited that Congress is formally considering legislation to stop the ban for the benefit of the riders.”
Vitrano concluded, “I will urge the Committee to provide as much clarity as possible in developing a legislative solution so that the CPSC is left with no doubt about Congress’ intent to ensure the continued availability of youth model motorized recreational vehicles.”
A live audio webcast of the hearing can be accessed at the House Energy and Commerce Committee website:
http://energycommerce.house.gov.
