www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06004.html

In a nutshell, the CPSC is now asking the public to submit their comments and techincal data related to the proposed alternatives and issues raised by the CPSC. Most of the proposed alternatives appear harmless enuf and some seem like a good idea to me. For example, it appears that the CPSC is considering making the voluntary requirements of the 7 large ATV Manufacturers into a mandatory requirements and applying these rules to all ATV Manufucturers (such as the many new Tiawanese Manufacturers that recently entered the ATV market in the USA). These are the current requirements that require most major ATV dealerships to NOT sell an adult-sized ATV to a child and also requires them to put warning labels on the machines, etc. Nothing ground breaking there.

However, a few of the other alternatives seem a little more troublesome to me including the proposal to use performance safety standards, which I interpret to mean the requirement to use speed restrictions and other performance limiting measures. They already do this for child ATVs (which is fine by me), but I would hate to see them do it for adult size quads b/c that would seriously take the fun out of races (including XC, MC, drag racing, sled pulls, mud bogs, etc.).

Altho I didn't see it in their proposed alternatives, it appears that required helmet use for at least certain ATV riders is one of the issues on their radar screen(which I fully support, but I know that others do not always agree - its a controversial area indeed).

The public has 60 days to send in their comments and techincal data about the proposed alternatives and the issues raised.

PS - I encourage everyone to write the CPSC (emails are fine) and let them know what you think of their proposed alternatives and also send in any techincal data that you may have collected as it relates to the issues they raised.

Happy trails...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I can see where the'yre comming from, but I'm still cynical. I think Quads when 'corked' up enough, will be harmelss enough for the average stupid American public. Take for example the Kawasaki Mojave. A doornail by any semi- experienced sport rider, but ditch the airbox and add a pipe and you've got some ofrtitude growing under there. So from that angle I think it's fine, but on the other side of the coin it seems that just when fun stuff starts catching on, read 3 wheelers of the 80's- it always seems that the CPSC wants to clamp down on the fun.
The delineation needs to be made that it is the carelessness of average Joe Duma$$ consumer American that get's himself in over his head. The problem then is the suit happy lawyers and the the careless American public that always need to have their hands held. Like Reagan said back in the day; "Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem."

 

FYI:
Please send your comments to the CPSC by emailing them at: cpsc-os@cpsc.gov ***Be Sure to mark the SUBJECT as "ATV ANPR"

PS - I just sent them an e-mail letting them know what I think needs to be done (and what does NOT need to be done) to improve ATV safety. I hope you guys and gals will do the same. Remember, all comments are due within 60 days of Oct 6th.

Happy trails...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]