Story Published: Mar 27, 2009 at 5:34 PM MDT
Story Updated: Mar 27, 2009 at 10:29 PM MDT
"Every salesman here has pages of customers waiting to purchase youth bikes for this summer, and we just can't do it yet," said Mike Carlton, a Rexburg Motor Sports Employee.
"It's a little frustrating, I probably talk to a family a day who wants to buy youth machines and I can't sell it to them," said Dave Kynoc, a salesman at Rexburg Motor Sports.
The law came into affect in February, and manufactures moved quick to find ways around it. For instance, one of these two models is now sell-able again. No certification was issued, instead they changed the age guidelines by a year, so that it reads no one 12 & under. The other vehicle is not different in any regard besides its size and some nifty stickers.
I asked do you think there is lead paint in these items?
Kynoc answered, "No there's not. If there was lead in them it would be in motor parts that children can't go to any ways."
Carlton answered, "If you're talking about a toothing ring for some 3-year-old, I don't want lead in that either. But something like this is ridiculous... You don't see kids chewing on their bikes, so it's not really an issue."
The sad irony of this entire situation is that most of the models that are banned from sale currently, were certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission as safe for children.
If you're waiting to purchase an off-road vehicle for your child, the wait may soon be over. Manufacturer's are working on certifying that their "toys" don't have lead in them, and petitions to the government to change the laws are being sent to congress.
If you want to take part in the petition, go to www.tomself.com