The bmx industry is fucked.

(Not written by me. Stolen from thecomeupbmx.net message board.)



I know alot of ya have no clue there are other sites out there about BMX, but one of the best is VintageBMX, and they are in tune with stuff the average street kid knows nothing about. This is a huge one. As of right now, new laws have been made that affect every part of the BMX industry. These laws deal with lead in products for kids, or toys. As of right now, all bicycles with a wheel diameter of 24 inches and under are considered "toys". This is a quote from Ryan Birk, formerly of Sun Rims, now with Alienation, who just lost his Kuwahara job since they closed up due to these new laws>

What scares me is how little some of the companies that will be most affected by these new requirements actually know about what is going to happen and how unconcerned some seem to be. We've had lawyers on both sides of the pond looking into this for us for a couple months trying to find loopholes and determine exactly what is required of us as BMX companies. We've probably spent enough on lawyers to at least have covered the required testing on at least a couple models of bikes for at least 1 shipment.

Here's the jist of what is going on now for BMX

"toy" companies.As of Nov. 12, nothing shipped after that date can come into the US without proper 3rd party testing for lead, lead content, and phalates and the certified documnents needed to get through customs at port. This includes complete bikes, frames, and all parts with intended us for any bike 24" and under. The fees for testing are expensive unless you're testing a large volume of parts or bikes and can ammortorize those costs across the board. If you offer a part or bike in different color options, each color must legally be tested. Of course all companies can decide if they want to comply and pay for the testing but it will ultimately begin to affect costs and pricing of products unless the company is making a ton of parts that are getting sold, or the company has a really large petty cash stash. It's been my experience that most BMX companies operate on a pretty defined and tight budget to insure longevity and growth. And the kicker is that you have to conduct testing each time you import product from now on, regardless if it's the exact same product you imported 2 months earlier.

You have until Feb. 9th to sell all your untested products to the consumer (enduser), not just to the bike shops, or on Feb. 10th it becomes illegal for shops or distributors to sell these products without the proper certificate. The fines for this and for trying to import goods into the US without the certificates is in the hundred of thousands.

Companies that haven't tested and received the proper certificates legally have to take any untested product back and refund monies to the dealers or distributors as it is illegal for them to be sold after Feb. 9. This is why Feb 10 is being called National Bankruptcy Day because they have to take back ALL untested product from retailers and distributors and supply refunds even if that product is 10 years old. If the retailer (although highly unlikely Joe's Local Bike Shop would get caught) is caught trying to sell untested goods, the shop will be fined by the CPSC (fines in the hundred of thousands. Which obviously the shop will then turn around and sue the manufacturer for failure to test and likely the company is already been fined as well. You can see how it can get ugly real fast if you don't have the proper test certificates. And the rumors I hear about companies ready to rat out others on Feb 10 is really unsettling

What we're likely to see as BMXer's is that the big companies can probably offset the large testing expenses as their volume is large enough to ammortorize. We'll likely see some price increases from them but they'll still be around. It will hit the small bike and part companies the hardest as the test fees are extensive and companies will have to decide for themselves if they can afford to pay and continue to stay in business. Where the money for this testing comes from and if it's effect on pricing will likely push some of those companies out of the market. With Kuwahara, based on our current growth rate in terms of volume, and projected sales for 09,
we were looking at 125% price increases. With the economy and all things considered, $1800 to $2000 complete bikes probably aren't going to sell to well. That was our sad reality and our situation will force us to become a frame only distributor for 09.

I hope the other companies in the BMX world don't have to suffer the same fate as Kuwahara and it will be each companies decision if they choose to comply with the new test laws forced on us as "toy" manufactures.Hope this rambling simplified the "legal mumbo jumbo" that I've been forced to try to learn these past couple of months. Oh, and the same testing will soon be required for bikes and bike parts made in the US as well.Birk

Kids, this is huge. Alot of small companies, such as FBM, S&M, Sunday, etc. will be affected by this. Lots of companies will fold.

I wannaaaaaaa.

Go on the Savage South trip this year. My birthday is soon. you should all help me make this possible.I couldnt think of another way to spend 7 days. Other than riding my bike,piling into a van with over a handful of guys (no homo),setting out on a new adventure,and having one of my best experiences so far.

If you know of any sugar mamas, tell them to find me.

Looking for a sugar mama to take care of me while I take care of her.

Minimum age of 30 please.

I'm young, tattooed, black hair and a wild side. I'm very easy going and love to go with the flow. I

enjoy dinners and movies, but I also love parties and going out, whatever you're in the mood for.

Let me show you how to be young again.

Please send pics and a list of interests

Serious inquiries only please.

I'm looking for love or just a good time ;)

Home is where you make it.

So, lately I've really been thinking about Home. A place I used to call my home for 20 years. Tons of great memories and friends. Especially after we built the "D-unit compound". Well anyway heres some old photos from those days.

Whats hattenin?

So, my life has been wild the last few months. Worked at camp Woodward all summer.Best time of my life for sure.Met and made some awesome new friends while I stayed there.Lived in Atlanta for a short time. (I'm working on it lori, I promise.) It was an awesome time. Shout out to the Commence House! Then with one of my bestfriends Jade and his family. I didnt stay long but I love his family just like my own. I got to ride an awesome skatepark with good friends while I stayed with them. Bought a used but new to me vehicle. A 1997 V.W. Jetta (Pictured, to the side with my bike on top and in front of the Blakeslee home.) Then I headed south. First to Tampa to see old friends for a few days, great times were had.After I left there I was off to my Grandfathers, in Cape Coral, Fl. Where I stayed for close to 2 months.Helping him with work.While also taking a 1 week trip to Orlando to visit Chris and Billy P.I got to dance party it up, go to dew tour, meet new friends, and hang out and give a hand at the bike shop they work at.Barachel Bike and Skate. During the time I was in Cape Coral I hung out with some awesome friends I had not gotten to see in a while.Jon B,Dirty,Geo,Donna,Mike,Tinny and some others. I also started racing again, wow have I ever missed that. Almost an entire year went by with out really racing.I'm really motivated and cant wait for the season to pick up.In late November I took a Greyhound bus to Tampa, where I met up with my buddy Josh Weichman and set out on our Journey to Birmingham.Intending to only be here for Thanksgiving with Jesse and Maggies family And the Thanksgiving national. Well both turkey day dinners turned out awesome.Thursday night me,Jesse and Josh set out in the G-5 G-5 for the race, Had tons tons of sing alongs on the way up there and made it in really good time. We even saw that cry-baby lil bitch from American Idol at a Waffle House. The race went okay. It was a normal race weekend but I rode like shit. We hung out with our buddy Chase Campbell always a good time when he is around. Fun fact about me,Chase and 3 other ppl. We once dated the same girl at the same time. Samantha Storey. If you see her upper cunt punch her for me. Sunday we headed back to Bama.It has been good times since. I've decided I am going to stay here awhile.Find a job,maybe a girl,and have as much fun and ride my bike as much as I can.I'm close to my family and friends in Georgia and not too far away from the ones in Florida. We move into our Apt next week. Expect an update then.

H0lla atcha boy!

I'm new I dont know what to do.

Never done any of this shit before. My grammer and punctuation will be terrible but it will get better. Umm, yeah. So I will be updating this thing fairly regular. with photos and what not about what is going on in my life.