RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A special event held in protest of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CSPIA) of 2008 at legendary racer Malcolm Smith’s dealership on March 19 drew nearly 400 supporters and heavy media attention.
The “Kids Love 2 Ride” event held at Malcolm Smith Motorsports was Smith’s way of protesting the new law prohibiting the sale of youth motorcycles and ATVs for children ages 12 and under.
"We [motorcyclists] used to be tough guys and fought for what we believed in. Unfortunately we've become soft and allowed things like the CPSIA as a result," said Smith. "If we don't stand up to them now, what kind of future are we going to have? What kind of future will these kids have?"
Supporters at the event made it clear they want kids to continue riding motorcycles and ATVs. Two 65cc mini-cycles were sold to racer Jeff Ward and motorsport design guru Troy Lee, while one youth-size ATV was sold to Glen Helen Raceway owner Bud Feldkamp, according to spokesperson Scott Cox.
Smith also took deposits for “post-CPSIA” sales, which he will hold until the federal ban is lifted and sell the units at cost.
Passed last August, the CPSIA was prompted by numerous high-profile recalls of children’s toys and other items. In its language, the CPSIA identified certain parts of a mini bike as having lead in excess of 600 parts per million, which the new law prohibits. The law’s lead restriction effectively bans all 85cc, 70cc, 65cc and 50cc displacement mini bikes.
The event drew the attention from mainstream print and broadcast media, such as USA Today and CNN, as well as several other industry-related publications.
