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American Motorcyclist Association | 13515 Yarmouth
Dr. | Pickerington | OH | 43147
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April 1, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Riders, AMA
members Rally in Washington,
D.C., Against Ban On Sale of
Youth-Model Motorcycles and ATVs
PICKERINGTON,
Ohio -- Motorcyclists, AMA
members, motorcycle dealers and
industry officials gathered in
Washington, D.C., today to rally
in support of an effort to
overturn a ban on the sales of
youth-model motorcycles and ATVs
that is mandated by the Consumer
Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
Standing in the Capitol Building
Visitors Center, the rally-goers
heard from federal lawmakers,
powersports industry watchdogs
and others, all urging the
Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) to correct the
unintended consequences of the
CPSIA. Designed to curtail the
sale of toys containing lead to
children 12 years old and
younger, the CPSIA inadvertently
ensnared youth-model motorcycles
and ATVs because certain parts,
including batteries and valve
stems, may contain lead, which
can be harmful to children if
ingested.
The AMA, its members and other
motorcycle groups have been
supporting an industry petition
for an exclusion from the
regulattory ban since early
February. Wednesday's rally was
organized by industry groups
affected by the CPSIA.
Of all the speakers at the
rally, perhaps no one captured
the problems the law has created
for young motorcycle and ATV
riders better than a youngster
-- an AMA member -- who had to
stand on a chair to be seen
above the podium.
"My name is Chase Yentzer, and
I'm 6 years old. I ride
dirtbikes with my family. I race
dirtbikes. Please give me my
dirtbike back. I promise not to
eat it," he said, to thunderous
applause.
The rally is one more step in
the ongoing battle to convince
the CSPC to grant an exemption
from the CPSIA for the sale of
youth-sized motorcycles and
ATVs, noted Ed Moreland, the
AMA's vice president of
government relations, who also
attended the rally.
"Seeing so many motorcyclists
and ATVers coming together to
fight for their right to enjoy
their favorite motorsports with
their families really is
heartwarming,'' Moreland said.
"With the CPSC's vote on an
exclusion expected soon, I hope
the message is coming through
loud and clear that the
unintended consequences of the
CPSIA should be fixed -- and
soon -- for riders, kids,
parents, dealers and the entire
industry."
For more information about the
gathering, visit the rally's
website at
www.amendthecpsia.com.
Motorcyclists and ATV riders can
tell the CPSC how they feel
about the ban by visiting the
"Rights" area at
www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com and
clicking on "Issues and
Legislation." AMA members will
also find a self-addressed card
in the May issue of American
Motorcyclist magazine that they
can mail directly to the CPSC.
Interested parties can also sign
up to get e-mail Action Alerts
in the "Rights" section of
www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com to
keep abreast of issues
threatening motorcycling and ATV
riding.
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About the
American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA
has promoted and protected the
motorcycling lifestyle. AMA members
come from all walks of life and they
navigate many different routes on
their journey to the same
destination: freedom on two wheels.
As the world's largest motorcycle
organization with nearly 300,000
members, the AMA advocates for
motorcyclists' interests in the
halls of local, state and federal
government, the committees of
international governing
organizations and the court of
public opinion. Through member
clubs, promoters and partners, the
AMA sanctions more motorsports
competition events than any other
organization in the world. Through
its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum,
the AMA preserves the heritage of
motorcycling for future generations.
For more
information, visit
www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
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American Motorcyclist Association | 13515 Yarmouth
Dr. | Pickerington | OH | 43147
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