Enjoy Pocket Bikes But Also Embrace The Responsibility

Remember going to the circus and seeing some 6 ftexperienced motorcycle ride knows, the real danger
tall clown riding into the center ring on a mini-bike withriding a motorcycle is that car drivers don't see you.
his knees hunched up around the top of his head.With these pocket bikes sitting so low to the ground,
Everyone laughs at this sight because it seems sothe problem is going to be greater."
ridiculous. What a sight: Grown man and women ridingAdmit it! You know when you see one of the pocket
around on such a tine vehicle.bikes, you can't help but grin and think about giving it a
Well, it isn't funny anymore with the introductions of theride. The risk of the pocket bike is the fartherest thing
pocket bikes or as some refer to them as pocketfrom your mind. You combine how cheap they are, the
rockets. Whether you are an adult, teenager or acoolness factor, and the fact they really are fun to ride,
young adult, it will draw the same response...Wow!then it makes it hard to keep your mind clear about
These small versions of full motorcycles weighpotential dangers lurking if you start riding one of them.
between 45 and 90 pounds and seat their driver aboutStop, clear your mind before you go buying one. Ask
18 to 24 inches off the ground. These are notyourself are you responsible enough to ride this thing?
something to laugh about. They are serious machines.Do you have the protective gear you need? Are you
They are not toys even though looking at one; you areaware of the characteristics of the handling of the
tempted to dismiss the pocketbike as a toy.pocket bike? At high speeds, fast turns can cause the
Pocket bikes or pocket rockets can be deadly sincepocket bike to overturn. Is your child old enough to
they aren't toys. It is easy to get in the mindset thatunderstand that this is not a toy? Are you going to
because the pocket bikes are not only small and fastspend the time to supervise your child on a pocket
but they can be ridden anywhere--on sidewalks, inrocket?
bicycle lanes, and on the street. Get rid of that thoughAll of these questions are very important to ask. If you
immediately. These gas-powered models have beenare willing to spend the time instructing your child, drilling
modified can reach speeds up to 45 mph or eventhem over and over about safety and most
faster.importantly you will physical be there to watch them
The bikes are usually imported without your typicalride, then go buy this entertainment. If at anytime, you
safety features for motorcycles. They don't havecan't do any of them and I mean "any", then buying
brake lights, mirrors, turn signals, right kind of tires orone is not the responsible thing to do.
even reflectors. They are fun pocket rockets but theyWhat will happen if I'm caught riding my "Pocket Bike"
don't meet current federal safety standards foron Public Land? Recent legislation allows for peace
street-legal vehicles. Because of their size, adults will letofficers to seize the bike and hold it for a maximum of
their children operated them unlicensed and many48 hours. The violator shall be responsible for all costs
times underage. Unfortunately there have beenassociated with the removal, seizure and storage.
reported deaths operating these pocket bikes andAdditionally, new legislation requires the manufacturer
unless responsible adults step up to the plate, theof the pocket bike to place a sticker on the bike that
fatality rate will on increase.reads:
There is a lot of debate going on whether theseThe pocket bike you have purchased or obtained is
pocket rockets ought to be ban. Both sides have put astrictly prohibited from being operated on a sidewalk,
lot of energy into their arguments. The ones who areroadway, or any other part of a highway, or on a
in favor of allowing these motorcycles to be ridden arebikeway, bicycle path or trail, equestrian trail, hiking or
faults who blame the parent who failed to superviserecreational trail, or on public lands open to off highway
their child.vehicle use. A violation of this regulation may result in
Responsible adults need to take the horse by the reinprosecution and seizure of the device.
and assume responsibility for their children safety.I am not trying to put a damper on your fun. Just take
They need to make sure they understand beyond anya few minutes to think about the responsibility of
doubts that their pocket bike is not a toy but a vehicleowning a pocket bike or as some like to call them
that could cause them serious body harm."pocket rockets". For me, I love them but I am afraid if I
"You're a lot safer putting a 13-year-old on a full-sizeget down on one, I might not be able to get up again. If
motorcycle than on one of these things," said Steveyou buy and there is nothing wrong with that, just
Gibbons, a plaintiff attorney from Kansas City, KS.remember, your responsibility requirements have now
Steve believes they should be banned. As anyincreased significantly.