Lead law's big net catches ATV, motorcycle dealers

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Story Published: Feb 20, 2009 at 10:20 AM PST

By KOMO Staff

RENTON, Wash. -- A law passed to protect children is threatening to put some local stores out of business.

Lead standards were put in place to get potentially dangerous toys pulled from the shelves. But they have also lengthened indefinitely the shelf lives of bicycles and all-terrain vehicles at the Renton Motorcycle Company.

All of the shop's bikes and ATVs became illegal to sell as of Feb. 10 because their lead levels exceed the maximum set by the new law -- 600 parts per million. Most motor vehicles fall into this category.

When Congress tightened the rules for children's products in the wake of last year's toxic toy scare, Mike Dunaway of the Renton shop was stunned to learn dirt bikes were affected.

"I don't think they saw through the whole far-reaching effect of the law," he said.

Unlike small, potentially toxic toys, Dunaway said, children are not likely to suck on an ATV.

"I don't believe that there's anything particularly interesting for a child to start chewing on or ingesting," he said.

In Spokane, frustration is turning into anger at struggling shops. Sales have plummeted at Westside Motorsports and now, the shop is turning away potential buyers.

"When you tell them, 'We have them in stock but we can't sell them to you,' they're incredulous at first. Then you explain and they just leave, shaking their heads," said Scott Schmidtman of Westside Motorsports.

Customers aren't the only ones shaking their heads.

"Last I noticed, kids don't put ATVs in their mouths," said Schmidtman said.

The stores are currently in a holding pattern, waiting to see if ATV manufacturers can convince lawmakers to change the law.

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