Ok, now this is unbelievable:
Thousands of powersports dealers were told to halt sales of vehicles designed for children 12 and younger because of new lead restrictions in an act of Congress that took effect Feb. 10.
Read more here. I can only hope this is an unintended consequence of a poorly written law that will be rectified quickly. I got my first dirt-bike when I was 10. Many pro-racers today started riding as early as four, and managed to survive without putting any motorcycle parts in their mouth. This isn't going to help the economy much either:
The ban hits California especially hard. Off-roading is hugely popular among families in the state and several state parks are devoted to dirt riding.
Kevin Matty, finance director at Temecula Motorsports in Temecula, Calif., (where the desert is a big draw for dirt bikers) estimates the ban will wipe out half of his business sales.
"I thought it was a joke," Matty said, until the manufacturers told him he had to take the youth vehicles off the showroom floor.
It appears the AMA is all over this, but I have to wonder why they didn't catch it when it was moving through congress.
Wow, this is a shocker. There are so many families that have been saving up for the fun sport for their kids. Bummer.
Posted by: Ajlouny | April 20, 2009 at 08:40 PM