MIC NOT Optimistic

We here at OSET wrote to the MIC and the AMA weeks ago, expressing our concerns with the Motorcycle Industry's response to the CPSIA issue. We politely suggested that it was time to ramp it up, that the MIC and AMA should be employing 'public relations' people and press officers to hammer on the door of every media outlet in the Country. We suggested that leaving the CPSC and Congress to bicker amongst themselves will not yield a solution. The only quick solution is for the Court of Public Opinion to vote that the law is insanely stupid... for awareness to rise up until Congress reaches breaking point. Politicians are like sheep. Once they realize they may end up looking out of touch and uninformed they'll all be calling for CPSIA reform. The reaction to our suggestion was non-existent in the case of the AMA (surprise surprise), while the MIC responded quickly with a phone call from the MIC President. The MIC represent their members (Honda etc) and are working for them. Fair enough. We were told to carry on raising awareness on a grass roots level.

The Motorcycle Industry has been vocal, but fractured. There appears to be no co-ordinated response. Why is this not on TV? It's a good story! The latest press release from the MIC illustrates my point:

Paul Vitrano, the Motorcycle Industry Council’s general counsel, says he is “not optimistic” exclusion for youth model ATVs and dirt bikes from the lead content provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act will be granted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Vitrano said in a press release that CPSC commissioners voted on procedures for determining exclusions.

The ban on most youth ATVs and off-highway motorcycles has caused the powersports industry substantial harm and is a serious concern, Vitrano said at a press conference hosted by Rep. Tom Self of Missouri.

“Now the industry is caught in the middle of a fight between Congress and the CPSC,” Vitrano said. “Congress gave the CPSC the power to grant merited, common-sense exclusions, such as ATVs and off-highway motorcycles, from the lead standards. If CPSC believes its hands are tied because of the way the legislation was written, Congress needs to amend the law to restore common sense and make exclusions available for youth ATVs and dirt bikes.”

Yes, frustrating indeed. I will be writing to the MIC again later. My next suggestion is as follows:

If other industries are completely ignoring the CPSIA (bicycle industry etc), why can't we? Let's band together and tell Congress that we're all going to start selling again. They'll have to send us all to jail. I am Sparticus!

Ian.