PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Scores of youngsters shared their passion for riding off-highway motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Kids Just Want to Ride! video contest, which ended April 24. The videos feature young riders who point out the absurdity of a federal law that will effectively ban the sale of kid-sized bikes and ATVs at the end of 2011 due to the lead content of some parts. Each video features one or more kids promising not to “eat my motorcycle!” “The AMA sponsored the Kids Just Want to Ride! video contest to show how real children, and real families, will suffer when the de facto ban on the sale of kids’ dirtbikes and ATVs goes into effect at the end of the year unless federal law is changed,” said Jessica Irving, AMA grassroots coordinator. “Lawmakers need to see first-hand the faces of the children who will be hurt by the lead law — the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008,” Irving said. “That law must be changed with the passage of H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act.” First prize in the AMA Kids Just Want to Ride! video contest was awarded to Erin, 11, Adi, 7, and Carter, 5, Malcolm of Littleton, Colo. They will accompany their parents as the honored guests at the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb in Washington, D.C. The May 26 event will gather children, families and other enthusiasts to urge members of Congress to support the Kids Just Want to Ride Act. The Malcolm’s video will be featured at the event. The second prize, a $500 BikeBandit.com gift card, was won by Faith, 10, and Ellis, 7, Negron of Los Alamitos, Calif. Third prize, a $100 BikeBandit.com gift card, was won by Cameron Reed, 12, of Denham Springs, La. Winning videos can be viewed at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/KidsJustWantToRide.aspx. The CPSIA was intended to ban small toys with high lead content, but because of broadly written language, it has been interpreted to apply to all products for kids 12 and under, including dirtbikes, ATVs, bicycles, clothing and books. The AMA asks everyone concerned about this problem to urge their federal lawmakers to support H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, and plan to attend the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb at the nation’s Capitol on May 26. Families attending the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb will be joined by U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), author of the Kids Just Want to Ride Act. At that time, AMA Government Relations Department staff will also help families lobby their members of Congress to support the bill. For more information on the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb and to register to attend, go to www.americanmotorcyclist.com/KidsJustWantToRide.aspx. About the American Motorcyclist Association Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.