Tester to reintroduce Dirt Bike bill

Senator renews push for ‘some Montana common sense’ as he leads Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus

(U.S. SENATE) – As he takes the gavel today as the new chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, Senator Jon Tester announced he will reintroduce his Dirt Bike Bill when the U.S. Senate reconvenes on Tuesday.

Tester’s bipartisan legislation would amend the Consumer Product Safety Act of 2008 to allow motorsports dealers to again sell dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, and parts for use by young people.

The Consumer Product Safety Act was designed to keep dangerous products, like toys with high levels of lead, out of the hands of young children.  The law, however, has forced many motorsports dealers and repair shops to stop selling dirt bikes and ATVs for use by children because the vehicles contain internal lead parts. 

As a result, some parents are allowing their children to ride unsafe, adult-sized vehicles.

“We’ve got to protect our kids from dangerous risks like leaded toys that they can put in their mouths, but we also need some Montana common sense to differentiate a dollhouse from a dirt bike,” Tester said.  “In Montana and across rural America, riding motorized vehicles is part of the outdoor heritage we enjoy with our kids and grandkids, and I’m proud to take up this fight for common sense again.”

Tester’s Dirt Bike Bill would:

• Allow manufacturers and retailers to build and sell vehicles intended for children ages 6 and up, without having to meet lead standards that apply to toys
• Protect second-hand sellers (thrift stores, flea markets, online auctions, yard sales) from being liable for products that contain dangerous levels of lead (i.e., a person selling a toy at a yard sale who is unaware of lead contamination would not be held liable)

Tester originally introduced his Dirt Bike Bill in 2009, but all pending legislation expired in December and must be reintroduced.

The legislation is available on Tester’s website, HERE.