|
Updated: 12:20 AM Mar 16, 2009
Youth ATV and Motorcycle Ban
A new federal law created to keep children safe from lead has taken one industry by surprise.
Posted: 11:41 PM Mar 15, 2009Reporter: Amanda Goodman Email Address: amanda.goodman@wsaz.com |
|
126 Comments 
ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Protecting children from exposure to lead, that was the idea behind the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
The legislation however, took the All Terrain Vehicle, (ATV) Industry by surprise, because in it, lawmakers ban a whole section of the market.
Ashland Cycle Center Owner Rick Keelin says he got the news just days before the ban went into affect.
“On the First of February we received a letter from the manufacturers letting us know that by February 10th this ban was to go into affect, and it was to cover all vehicles that were designed for children under the age of 12 that includes ATV’s and motorcycles,” Keelin said.
In addition, dealer’s can also no longer sell parts or accessories that were made for these products.
“We can't even take them in on trade so the consumer can't trade them back into us, they can't buy parts, they can't buy anything that was designed for a youth under 12 years of age,” Keelin said.
The concern is that certain parts of these vehicles contain lead.
“We are 100% sure that anything that has an electric starter on it must have a battery and those are lead batteries and that is a concern,” Keelin said.
Keelin says he has about $20,000 worth of inventory he cannot sell.
“In this economy it’s very tough for anyone in business and with this being say 15 to 20 percent of our sales, with this being taken away from us at this time it makes it very difficult to stay in business,” Keelin said.
Jay Leavitt is a salesperson at Ashland Cycle Center and he is usually the one to break the news to customers.
“It’s been kind of hard to explain the law to everyone it’s pretty lengthy, people get frustrated and they don't understand,” Leavitt said.
Customers who do understand still don’t think the ban makes much sense.
“I just think it’s kind of ridiculous,” Jamey Bailey said.
Mr. Bailey owns ATV’s, motorcycles and scooters.
“It's a family activity, we get together and ride and it’s a good time for everyone,” Bailey said.
Now though if he needs to replace a part for either of his son’s ATV’s, he can’t.
“It would put a damper on our plans where we might end up just sitting in the house or doing something maybe not as active,” Bailey said.
Since the ban went into affect on February 10th Groups around the country have boycotted it.
The Motorcycle Industry Council, (MIC) a non-profit group, predicts that if the ban stands the industry could lose $1 billion dollars annually.
The MIC is encouraging those who are against the ban to write to their legislator’s.
“I think politicians and the people that brought this law into affect were trying to do a good thing, but no one really realized the ramifications of this,” said Keelin.
In the meantime any dealer caught selling the banned products will be fined $70,000 per occurrence.
Latest Comments
Out of ALL the things to ban in this country,why something that keeps our kids busy and out of trouble. With the correct supervision and training riding atv's is an excellent thing for kids to do. And it's not like they are chewing on the parts. Ban alcohol and tobacco before something like this...REDICULOUS!!
Ban tobaco not dirt bikes
I moved to the country area so I could raise my 2 boys to have room to ride & learn in a safe place. It is hard to believe that I wont be able to get parts or upgrade them to bigger bikes to learn how to do it safe & correct instead of just jumping on one when they get older and get hurt or killed because they dont respect them as a machine that can hurt them. They are 4 & 8 and they both ride good already. What a shame that I might have to move them back to the city due to being bored out here in the country. What a shame!!!!!
|
|
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- UPDATE: Two More Arrests in Parking Lot Armed Robbery
- Hackers Post W.Va. Police Officers' Personal Info
- Convicted Sex Offender Wanted
- Three Aging W.Va. Power Plants Closing
- IRS Warns to Expect Some Refund Delays
- UPDATE: Man Dies in Early Morning Fire in McArthur, Ohio
- UPDATE: Mother Awaiting Sentence Faces More Trouble
- UPDATE: Man Charged in Violent Armed Robbery at Huntington Bar
- St. Albans Man Arrested in Large Drug Bust
- Agriculture Flood Disaster Declared in Jackson County, W.Va.
- UPDATE: Vigil for Missing 3-Year-Old Girl
430 Comments - UPDATE: New Chief Deputy in Mason County Releases Department Mission Statement
148 Comments - UPDATE: Woman Fires Attorney in Sniper Digging Case Lawsuit
127 Comments - UPDATE: Mother Awaiting Sentence Faces More Trouble
61 Comments - UPDATE: Some Questions Remain Unanswered in Deadly CO Leak
48 Comments - NEW INFO: South Point Man Sentenced in Marijuana Conspiracy
40 Comments
- Romney vows to get more aggressive
- Gingrich goes home turf after drubbing
- Deep freeze overloads Ukraine EMS
- 700 get food poisoning after Mexico rally
- Ousted Maldives president faces arrest
- Same-sex marriage OK'd in Washington
- 911 response probed in Powell killings
- Opinion: Google knows too much
- Brother: Clementi more than his suicide
- Embattled L.A. school set to reopen
- Same-sex marriage OK'd in Washington
- Mississippi pardons to be challenged at court hearing
- Authorites probe 911 response to Josh Powell's home
- Official: Suspect in 'South Park' threats to plead guilty
- Rutgers student's suicide shouldn't define him, brother says
- School will continue using Fighting Sioux nickname
- University of Florida suspends fraternity for 'physical hazing incident'
- Victim in Atlanta video beating to speak out
- The deadly path to legal status
- Hacked e-mails reveal Syrian spin
- Deep freeze puts strain on Ukrainian EMS
- More than 700 suffer food poisoning after Mexico rally
- Spy agency called before Pakistani high court
- Deposed president faces arrest in the Maldives
- Greek leaders ready to back austerity deal
- Officials: Drone strike kills 4 in Pakistan
- U.S.-Egypt relations tested in latest crisis
- UK: 'No negotiations' on Falklands
- Drillers reach hidden Antarctic lake
- Band camp, other clubs suspended
- Champion remembered at event
- More members accused of hazing
- Sandusky urged to stay inside
- Words matter in Penn State case
- Out-of-county jury for Sandusky?
- 4th accuser drops abuse allegations
- Accuser pleads guilty to child sex
- Attorney: Victims to sue university
- Miss. high court considers pardons
- Rivers' three adds another chapter to Duke-UNC rivalry
- Game Recap
- All eyes on Tiger at Pebble Beach
- Syracuse earns OT win vs. Hoyas
- Memphis joining Big East in 2013
- Lin dazzles again as Knicks win
- Kansas flattens Baylor with 32-4 run
- Slive says discussion of BCS changes 'premature'
- Magic KO Heat with barrage of 3's
- Big Ten exploring a four-team playoff
 |
SOMC
Very good things are happening here. Click here to learn more |
 |
Click here for school closings and delays |
 |
Watch the Lottery Live Monday - Saturday @ 6:59pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. Need to check your numbers? Click here. |
 |
Watch the Ohio Lottery Drawings weeknights @ 7:29pm and Cash Explosion Saturday @ 7:30pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. |
 |
Click here to donate and help WSAZ help children at risk in our region. Thank you. |
 |
Click here to see how our partners are making Moms and women's lives easier. |
