American Motorcyclist Association
April. 24, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bill Kresnak
Phone: (614) 856-1900
Fax: (614) 856-1920

Federal Safety Agency Sets Hearings on ATVs

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission
-- the agency that banned three-wheeled all-terrain vehicles in the
1980s -- will hold a new series of public hearings on ATV safety
beginning in June, the All-Terrain Vehicle Association reports.

According to a notice published in the Federal Register today, the
commission will hold a public hearing June 5 in Morgantown, W.Va. The
hearing will begin at 10 a.m. at West Virginia University in the
Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center.

The commission states that it is "concerned about the dramatic
increase in ATV-related injuries and the continued increase in
ATV-related deaths, and believes that holding a hearing will provide
an opportunity for the interested public to share their concerns
about ATVs and ATV safety."

The commission will take testimony on issues ranging from the
availability of safety training to whether there should be
"performance standards" set for ATVs. The commission notes that there
has been an increase in the number of injuries to riders using ATVs
with engine sizes of 400cc and greater.

The commission also will take testimony on a proposal by a coalition
of groups made up of the Consumer Federation of America, the Natural
Trails and Waters Coalition, the Bluewater Network and others seeking
a ban on the sale of adult-sized ATVs sold for use by children under
16.

The coalition originally called for a ban on all ATV use by those
under the age of 16 but the CPSC said that it could not enforce such
a ban. ATVA Director Doug Morris noted that under a longstanding
agreement between the ATV industry and the federal agency, only the
smallest ATVs -- those with engines displacing 90cc or less -- have
been sold for use by riders in that age group.

In addition, Morris questioned the motivation behind some of the
groups involved in this attack on ATVs. He noted that the Natural
Trails and Waters Coalition and the Bluewater Network have never had
any involvement with, or interest in, ATV safety. Instead, their
agenda has been to block access to public lands for ATV riders and
others involved in motorized recreation.

"Including these anti-access organizations in this coalition makes
for an odd alliance at the very least," Morris said, "since the
interests of two of the coalition partners are in eliminating ATVs,
not making them safer."

To testify before the Consumer Product Safety Commission in West
Virginia, contact Rockelle Hammond, Office of the Secretary, Consumer
Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C., 20207. Tel: (301)
504-6833. Fax: (301) 504-0127. E-mail: rhammond@c...


You can also send written testimony until July 5 to Attn: ATV
Hearing, Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Washington, D.C., 20207.


The American Motorcyclist Association is a nonprofit organization
with more than 250,000 members. Established in 1924, the
Association's purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests
of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more
information, visit the AMA website at <>www.AMADirectlink.com.

 

I would encourage as many of you as are able to write a short letter and mail it before the deadline on this. This affects each and every one of us as riders, whether we trial ride or motocross.

We all know the reasons behind the increase in deaths and injuries.
The sport/hobby has grown dramatically in popularity, an increase in the number of ATV's out there, increases the number of injuries, just as it does in automobilles, SUVs, semis, etc.
There are obviously more 400cc ATV's out there now too, so obviously their number of injuries and deaths have increased.

As with anything else with an increase in the number of ATV's out there, there is also an increase of idiots out there riding. This weekend I can't even count the number of fools on 400cc+ quads from sport quads to 4x4's to dirtbikes, riding trails or jumping big stuff, and not wearing any safety gear, no helmets, just a pair of boots on their feet and blue jeans, some riding doubles, blasting down trails and climbing hills with a girlfriend or wife, kid, on the back. Where I ride, the majority of the time this is who you hear about getting hurt. We also saw a kid who couldn't have been over 13 riding a mod'd Banshee with his family members, they were on bikes he was on the banshee, now maybe the kid was really good, maybe not, regardless I don't know that I'd put my kid or anyone's kid on something that can potentially move that fast and make that kind of power. There's a reason for those no one under 16 stickers.

It is the irresponsibility of parents who buy their kids ATV's they can't handle, and the fact that people don't want to pay $60 or a little more for a helmet, for whatever lame reason they give that has caused this kind of hearing. It is up to those of us who ride responsibly and know our own limits to make sure the government doesn't pass some ludicrous ruling on this that could adversley effect when, where, how and what we ride.