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