All things youth moto…

Over the past eighteen months, I’ve had the pleasure of working with the AMA on fixing our ridiculous Lead Law issue once and for good. Everyone at the AMA ‘gets it’ – right from the guy at the top, Rob Dingman, to his henchmen in Washington D.C. – Ed Moreland and Rich Podliska. These guys realize that the issue is much bigger than just a few mini bikes…it extends to every corner of motorcycling. Furthermore, it’s the clearest example of government overreach I can think of. Not only does this regulation not make sense for our market (and many others), but the law will end up doing the opposite of what it set out to do. Without right-sized vehicles available, even Nancy Nord, commissioner of the CPSC, said “our safety records tragically show what happens when kids use adult-sized vehicles.”

With a new Congress being sworn in in January, we have some momentum right now to fix things before May when the stay-of-enforcement expires. At the very least, head to the AMA Rapid Response website and take two minutes to have your voice heard on Capitol Hill (http://ama-cycle.org/legisltn/rapidresponse.asp). You can also join a Facebook group to show your support. Last but not least, your representatives in Congress need a personal reminder to put this on the legislative agenda as soon as their new term starts next year.

If you don’t think your voice will be heard, you’re wrong! Motorcyclists were the ONLY consumer group to receive a stay of enforcement in 2009. That happened because our voices were heard loud and clear in Washington D.C. It’s time to shout once again.

If you’re an AMA member (if not, join!), check out the article titled ‘Countdown to Disaster” in the December issue of American Motorcyclist. It clearly articulates the issue. Below is the full, uncut interview Cobra submitted as the AMA was preparing for this article. Let us know what you’re doing and what the response has been (good or bad). I’m confident we’ll come out on the winning end of this thing, but it will take effort on everyone’s part. Go get ‘em!

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS – Sean Hilbert, Cobra Moto, LLC

1.) What are the dangers of kids riding full-size dirt bikes and ATVs?

The dangers are clearly articulated in published data that show vast differences in safety statistics between full sized and ‘right-sized’ vehicles for young riders. This is one of the key points of this fight. It’s not simply that there were a few unfortunate unintended consequences of the CPSIA; the law does just the opposite of its intention and actually makes things MORE dangerous for kids. We need to ensure that Congress and the CPSA are well educated on this point.

2.) What will the lack of kids’ machines mean for family recreation?

At a time when getting kids out of the house and away from their X-Box is becoming more difficult by the day, I think it’s exceedingly critical that as a society we open pathways for outside recreation…not close them down.

3.) What will the lack of kids machines mean for dealers?

I don’t have any specific data to support this, but my strong hunch is that many of the dealer closures over the past eighteen months can be traced directly back to the Spring of 2009 when dealers were forced to pull youth machines off the floor. Youth machines provide a significant amount of revenue for many dealers, and these products bring young, new customers into showrooms.

4.) What will the lack of kids machines mean for amateur racing?

This law has the potential to devastate amateur racing. Track owners I have spoken to say that youth classes account for 35-40% of their entries on any given weekend. Furthermore, racing families bring many more revenue opportunities to the tracks than your typical 20 year-old that shows up with a bike in the back of his pickup truck. Families generate gate and concession revenue from moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and sometimes grandmas and grandpas. And if Junior can’t race anymore, there is a good chance dad will hang up his leathers too. I see massive fallout at the track level if this law sticks.

5.) What will the lack of kids’ machines mean for professional racing?

Its very clear at the professional end of our sport that the fan base is largely made up of amateur participants. Not only will the pipeline of new riders dry up, but the number of fans following the sport will diminish as well; especially for motocross and off-road racing.

6.) What needs to be done to the CPSEA so that kids will have new machines to ride?

The pathway for a product to be granted an exemption needs to be straightforward and simple enough to be accessed by small and big companies alike. The current proposal falls short.

7.) What can parents and dealers do to try to get the law changed?

Vote like a motorcyclist! It’s very clear that we need a change of the guard in Congress. The AMA’s voting tools and guidelines are an outstanding piece of work, so use them!

If Republicans gain control of the House, Fred Upton, a senior representative from Michigan, may very well take over as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. This is the committee where the Lead Law originated, and ensuring that Representative Upton is sitting in the top seat is one of chances we have to fix this law properly.

8.) Is there anything else you would like to add?

The AMA has been an outstanding partner to work with on this issue. With the organization’s newfound focus on amateur racing and legislative issues our sport is much better off. I would like to personally thank Rob Dingman as well as the legislative staff in Washington D.C. (Ed Moreland, Rick Podliska, and Sheila Andrews) for all of their help. Together, we’ll get this thing fixed.