Comments on: CPSIA chronicles, May 15

By: Bicycle smashup, of the regulatory sort

Bicycle smashup, of the regulatory sort — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:26:49 +0000

[…] Association has played a role (PDF) in the fight against CPSIA’s (presumably inadvertent) ban on kids’ bicycles; it’s also been dealing with a controversy in the New Jersey […]

By: Sophie

Sophie — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:30:34 +0000

OK so here is where I post my unscientific survey about a stupid law that not a whole lot of people are paying attention to.

Yesterday at a suburban New York City arts and crafts fair there were plenty of children’s products for sale, same as always.

Also there was a sale by a local public school mother’s club of gently used and new kids items.

I took the time to read the latest handbook and I know that none of this is legal. Problem is the general public doesn’t know, understand or care.

By: BG

BG — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:36:54 +0000

I agree that the bicycle industry should have been as vocal as the motorbike/ATV folks. Where are the BMX stars? Not on Youtube, not promoting safety (no Bike helmets available for the bike you already own), etc.

My “prospective” senator just might wake up if no bicycles can be sold in this state. He might actually go back and read the wording of the law and see for himself what he voted for.

Also, it must be considered very bad manners for people at hearings to quote chapter and verse of the law back to congress–I wish Ms. Nord had done that at the small biz hearings. This is what the law says, ” . . . ” how should the CPSC interpret that to allow exemptions?

This is one law that is fairly easy to understand without the “plain English” translations.

By: No Name Guy

No Name Guy — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:49:55 +0000

Re the bikes:
This is a perfect decision. Heck, it would have been better to immediately declare the bikes illegal for sale. I say this, not because I think the law as written is wise, correct or right. I say this as rigid enforcement of stupid laws is the best way to get them changed. (Same tactic applies in a workplace setting when dealing with a stupid boss – do EXACTLY what they say to do, with no thought.)

this will show the voters the full effect of the law and they’ll clamor to have it changed. Immagine some dip sh%^ enforcement type from CPSC or a shyster lawyer showing up at your garage sale and slapping you with a suit or criminal charges for selling Billy’s old kiddie bike. Now, once that starts happening, this law will get changed in a hurry and Waxman, et al, will get all the scorn they deserve for enacting this stinking POS piece of legislation.

By: William Nuesslein

William Nuesslein — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:41:55 +0000

The women in the video of the hearing seemed so sweet. How can the government ruin their businesses? But one in particular showed that she was hoisted by her own petard as she expressed her misinformed concern about dangerous items for children. The whole point is that the standards for dealing with lead and phthalates are based on pseudoscience. Ms. Nord seemed like a competent person to me. What is so difficult with the sylogism:
The law requires that zippers on clothing be tested for lead. That is ridiculous. Therefore the law needs to be changed.

That some small businesses are ruined is an unfortunate side effect of the law. If there was a dramatic reduction of harm, then the loss might be acceptable. I doubt if any of the congress people can understand that the law does not meaningfully protect children.