Congress to decide whether kids ride

A move is afoot in Washington D.C. to give back to the children of America what was taken away from them two years ago -- their motorcycles and ATVs.

On January 25, US Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Montana, introduced H.R. 412, also known as "Kids Just Want to Ride Act of 2011." The law would give off-highway bikes and ATVs made specifically for kids a bye from banning by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008.

The safety act will ban the sale of kid-specific vehicles on Dec. 31 because they contain lead.

The vehicles were ordered yanked from sale back in 2009 but have continued to be sold while industry leaders, legislators and safety experts sought a solution. None has been found.

The bill submitted by Rep. Rehberg would eliminate the impending ban of the off-road machines powered by small engines between 50cc and 80cc and designed specifically for children 12 and younger.

The safety act was passed after dangerous lead levels were found in toys. It sets limits for lead and other chemicals in anything specifically made for children 12 and younger, including bicycles, motorcycles, car seats,  helmets, action figures and other dolls, balloons, clothing and other products.

Bicycles received a bye from the law shortly after its passage but engined vehicles have not.

The kids want to ride act is in the legislative process.