A new law is putting the brakes on youth dirt bikes and ATV’s. Lawmakers say the lead content in parts of off-road machines is too high and dangerous for children.
Dealerships filled with the newest in off-road vehicles are missing one big seller.
Jason Johnson/U Motors: “We can't sell a machine for a child 12 or under, currently.” Mike Hennebry/Wheels Inc: “Well, I kind of feel short changed on the whole situation.”
This comes after a temporary national ban on any ATV or dirt bike designed for children 12 and younger because some parts contain lead levels greater than 600 parts per million. And it has sellers fuming; one local company is losing 50 thousand dollars a year in sales.
Jason: “If there were a part on the machine that had lead, is the child going to eat the part off the machine? We don't think that that is normal.”
Until they get the OK to sell them again, dealerships in the F-M are either keeping their youth bikes on display or are wiping them off the floor completely.
And this ban is not only affecting sales, it could also hurt ridership. Kids could get on bigger, used bikes that aren't as suitable for them or not get into the sports at all.
Mike: “If you have a six year old and you want to introduce him to dirt biking, you'd have absolutely nothing to offer them at this point.”
Jason: “It's something I've enjoyed with my family and hope to pass on to my son, but now I don't know when or if that can happen.”
And the news may get worse for dealers, sales managers say they don't know if they'll be reimbursed by the manufacturers if the bikes are recalled.
Some youth bike manufacturers are getting around the law. Polaris has already sent out a new handbook for some of its vehicles, including new stickers that say no one, 12 and under, can operate this vehicle, allowing the dealers to sell the ATV.
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