PICKERINGTON, Ohio — In its annual “Best of” awards for 2011, Motorcycle-USA.com, a leading online motorcycle magazine, named the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) as its “Industry Leader” for efforts to overturn a federal ban on the sale of kids’ dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
After nearly three years of lobbying by the AMA and others, President Barack Obama on Aug. 12 signed into law H.R. 2715 to exempt kids’ off-highway vehicles (OHVs) from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, commonly known as the lead law. The CPSIA, which went into effect on Feb. 10, 2009, banned the making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended for children 12 and under, including kids’ dirtbikes and ATVs, that contained more than a specified amount of lead in any accessible part.
“The lead ban not only had a disastrous effect on the industry, already hit hard by the economic downturn, it also put kids at greater risk by forcing them onto adult models — or not riding at all,” Motorcycle USA said in announcing the award. “It was the big industry issue that could never get resolved, but the American Motorcyclist Association kept the riding public informed and continued to lobby lawmakers for a permanent fix…”
“…It’s easy to forget there are active forces lobbying against motorcyclists — so we recognize the AMA as an Industry Leader for the tireless defense of riders’ interests,” Motorcycle USA said.
“The AMA keeps fighting the good fight on a number of fronts,” MotorcycleUSA said. “Lobbying a laggardly Capitol Hill into passing a permanent fix on the CPSC Lead Ban was a noteworthy 2011 win, but there’s also OHV land access, motorcycle-only checkpoints, emissions regulations, even the formulation of gas that goes in our tanks… all are legal issues that have direct consequences for motorcyclists. The AMA does its best to stand guard, inform the public and mobilize rider action.”
Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO, thanked Motorcycle USA for the recognition of the AMA’s hard work, and added that the ban couldn’t have been overturned without the diligent efforts of many people and organizations, from kid riders and their parents to the Motorcycle Industry Council and Specialty Vehicle Institute of America and many others.
“Federal legislators deserve a lot of thanks for their tireless efforts, especially U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and all the other lawmakers who supported an exemption,” Dingman said.
“Hundreds of thousands of parents, kids and motorcycling club members responded to AMA calls for action to contact their elected officials and their efforts — along with all those volunteers, including 2011 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year Nancy Sabater, who circulated petitions, attended our AMA rally against the law in Washington D.C. and took other actions — brought this issue to the attention of Congress and turned the tide in our favor,” he said.
Dingman also recognized the hard work of Sean Hilbert, president of Cobra Motorcycles; the Coombs family and Tim Cotter of MX Sports; Racer X magazine; Doublin Gap Motocross Park; Mason Dixon Riding Association 6 and 7; Tomahawk MX Park; the Middle Atlantic Motocross Association; Budds Creek Motocross Park; High Point Raceway; Motorcycle USA and the rest of the motorcycle enthusiast and trade media.
To learn more about the AMA, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle 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 motorcycling rights organization, 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 and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
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