Bikes and Kids

Posted by Valerie on March 18, 2009

The Bicycle Product Suppliers Association (BPSA) petitioned the CPSC for an exclusion from CPSIA lead limits; this petition was denied.

As a mom, the bicycle issue is important to me. I want to see regular children’s bicycles readily available for children and, in particular, I’d like to see the continued legal sale of used bikes. I have eleven children ages 19 to 2. All of my kids have loved riding their bikes, but over the last 16 years, we’ve purchased only one brand new bicycle. (The sale was irresistable!)

We’ve found it very easy to buy bikes that have only been used for one or two seasons for just $15 or less. These used bikes have brought a lot of joy to my children’s lives, and I’m–once again–peeved that Congress “accidentally” interfered so far into our family’s privacy–and now chooses not to repent and undo damage.

At a meeting on March 11, 2009, members of the BPSA met with members of the CPSC to discuss the issue of lead in children’s bicycles. Association President John Nedeau offered three reasons why the CPSC should exempt bicycles from the new lead standards.

“[1] New bikes still need to rely on recycled materials [which] allows for an uncontrollable potential for trace amounts of lead…especially as the limits step down to 300 parts per million….[2] Inventory plus spare parts and repair parts that were made well before this came to be and likely exceed the CPSIA limits….[3] Used bikes…there are some wonderful programs emerging in many communities…where used bikes are made available to less privileged children, and it’s a really powerful tool in terms of what it can provide for those children.”
John Nedeau, President BPSA

Even if you aren’t inclined to watch the whole meeting, the six minute  segment on the non-profit Dream Bikes store, from 9:25-15:30, is illuminating. You’ll have the opportunity to see how much may be lost under CPSIA, given that the sale of ALL bicycles is clearly, already technically illegal. (And there goes Congressman Waxman, again, pointing fingers when he could have the courage and humility to show mercy.)

This wouldn’t occur to many in Washington, but in America the wide and ready availability of all kinds of used children’s products–books, educational supplies, clothing, toys, bikes and more–really is a mercy to low income families. Low-cost, minimally used children’s products can go a long way toward closing the gap between the wealthy and poor, in terms of childhood experience. CPSIA directly attacks one of the greatest blessings that disadvantaged families now enjoy in our advantaged country. Please, think about it.

Here are some other quotes that especially caught my attention.

“What would be needed…to address [used] inventory…the nature of the product is some very old bikes would be around. In some cases, we have, for example, in the case of very old toys, we can sometimes say ‘That’s a collectors item,’ or a very old book, we have a different way of dealing with it, but in the case of bicycles, I don’t know if you have antique…bicycles…but just a ten year old bike would probably not qualify….”
Gib Mullan, Director of Compliance, CPSC

“Cheap kids’ bikes probably rust through due to the lack of lead paint. Just a little small editorial there.”
Gib Mullan, Director of Compliance, CPSC

“Any 24-inch or smaller wheel that’s coming out of our factories today has this outer core that’s below 300 parts per million….I’m assured by our QC people that this valve is fine and it will hold air and it’s has gone through all the destructive testing. And I hope and pray that I’m not back here in front of you six months from now saying, “I’ve got children’s tires rapidly deflating all over America.” I don’t think that that’s going to be the case.”
Bob Burns, Head of the BPSA Legislative Committee

WHAT WE DO KNOW: Kids were not in any danger from lead in bicycles.

WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: Kids may very well be in imminent danger of accidental injury due to the unforeseen failure of parts rushed to market to satisfy the overactive imaginations at Consumers Union, Kids in Danger, U. S. PIRG, Shackowski, Rush, Waxman et al.

BTW, there are good reasons to suspect that bicycle helmets which could prevent life-threatening head injuries are also going into dumpsters over the fear of expensive, hyper-technical violations of the lead standard by honest thrift stores.

If you want to know, all of my kids’ bicycle helmets were purchased used at $2 or less, and I don’t care how many ppm lead are in the racing stripes.

Would it be good if all Goodwill stores continued to feel confident selling used bicycle helmets for $1.99–or should all parents have only the $19.99 Wal-Mart option? And if some parents need the $18 difference for rent? Don’t worry? Be happy?

Or don’t buy a helmet at all?

For all the rhetoric spilled in the CPSIA Congressional hearings, there certainly wasn’t much understanding or appreciation for the full spectrum of American economic life.