| Remember going to the circus and seeing | | | | riding a motorcycle is that car drivers |
| some 6 ft tall clown riding into the | | | | don't see you. With these pocket bikes |
| center ring on a mini-bike with his | | | | sitting so low to the ground, the |
| knees hunched up around the top of his | | | | problem is going to be greater." |
| head. Everyone laughs at this sight | | | | Admit it! You know when you see one of |
| because it seems so ridiculous. What a | | | | the pocket bikes, you can't help but |
| sight: Grown man and women riding around | | | | grin and think about giving it a ride. |
| on such a tine vehicle. | | | | The risk of the pocket bike is the |
| Well, it isn't funny anymore with the | | | | fartherest thing from your mind. You |
| introductions of the pocket bikes or as | | | | combine how cheap they are, the coolness |
| some refer to them as pocket rockets. | | | | factor, and the fact they really are fun |
| Whether you are an adult, teenager or a | | | | to ride, then it makes it hard to keep |
| young adult, it will draw the same | | | | your mind clear about potential dangers |
| response...Wow! These small versions of | | | | lurking if you start riding one of them. |
| full motorcycles weigh between 45 and 90 | | | | Stop, clear your mind before you go |
| pounds and seat their driver about 18 to | | | | buying one. Ask yourself are you |
| 24 inches off the ground. These are not | | | | responsible enough to ride this thing? |
| something to laugh about. They are | | | | Do you have the protective gear you |
| serious machines. They are not toys even | | | | need? Are you aware of the |
| though looking at one; you are tempted | | | | characteristics of the handling of the |
| to dismiss the pocketbike as a toy. | | | | pocket bike? At high speeds, fast turns |
| Pocket bikes or pocket rockets can be | | | | can cause the pocket bike to overturn. |
| deadly since they aren't toys. It is | | | | Is your child old enough to understand |
| easy to get in the mindset that because | | | | that this is not a toy? Are you going to |
| the pocket bikes are not only small and | | | | spend the time to supervise your child |
| fast but they can be ridden anywhere--on | | | | on a pocket rocket? |
| sidewalks, in bicycle lanes, and on the | | | | All of these questions are very |
| street. Get rid of that though | | | | important to ask. If you are willing to |
| immediately. These gas-powered models | | | | spend the time instructing your child, |
| have been modified can reach speeds up | | | | drilling them over and over about safety |
| to 45 mph or even faster. | | | | and most importantly you will physical |
| The bikes are usually imported without | | | | be there to watch them ride, then go buy |
| your typical safety features for | | | | this entertainment. If at anytime, you |
| motorcycles. They don't have brake | | | | can't do any of them and I mean "any", |
| lights, mirrors, turn signals, right | | | | then buying one is not the responsible |
| kind of tires or even reflectors. They | | | | thing to do. |
| are fun pocket rockets but they don't | | | | What will happen if I'm caught riding my |
| meet current federal safety standards | | | | "Pocket Bike" on Public Land? Recent |
| for street-legal vehicles. Because of | | | | legislation allows for peace officers to |
| their size, adults will let their | | | | seize the bike and hold it for a maximum |
| children operated them unlicensed and | | | | of 48 hours. The violator shall be |
| many times underage. Unfortunately there | | | | responsible for all costs associated |
| have been reported deaths operating | | | | with the removal, seizure and storage. |
| these pocket bikes and unless | | | | Additionally, new legislation requires |
| responsible adults step up to the plate, | | | | the manufacturer of the pocket bike to |
| the fatality rate will on increase. | | | | place a sticker on the bike that reads: |
| There is a lot of debate going on | | | | The pocket bike you have purchased or |
| whether these pocket rockets ought to be | | | | obtained is strictly prohibited from |
| ban. Both sides have put a lot of energy | | | | being operated on a sidewalk, roadway, |
| into their arguments. The ones who are | | | | or any other part of a highway, or on a |
| in favor of allowing these motorcycles | | | | bikeway, bicycle path or trail, |
| to be ridden are faults who blame the | | | | equestrian trail, hiking or recreational |
| parent who failed to supervise their | | | | trail, or on public lands open to off |
| child. | | | | highway vehicle use. A violation of this |
| Responsible adults need to take the | | | | regulation may result in prosecution and |
| horse by the rein and assume | | | | seizure of the device. |
| responsibility for their children | | | | I am not trying to put a damper on your |
| safety. They need to make sure they | | | | fun. Just take a few minutes to think |
| understand beyond any doubts that their | | | | about the responsibility of owning a |
| pocket bike is not a toy but a vehicle | | | | pocket bike or as some like to call them |
| that could cause them serious body harm. | | | | "pocket rockets". For me, I love them |
| "You're a lot safer putting a | | | | but I am afraid if I get down on one, I |
| 13-year-old on a full-size motorcycle | | | | might not be able to get up again. If |
| than on one of these things," said Steve | | | | you buy and there is nothing wrong with |
| Gibbons, a plaintiff attorney from | | | | that, just remember, your responsibility |
| Kansas City, KS. Steve believes they | | | | requirements have now increased |
| should be banned. As any experienced | | | | significantly. |
| motorcycle ride knows, the real danger | | | | |