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.