| Pocket bikes are miniature motorcycles -- powered, | | | | motorcycles, but it's more like the small bikes are a fun |
| for the most part, by oil- and gas-burning engines | | | | thing, instead of just transportation. And it's easier to |
| similar to those used in chain saws, weed whackers or | | | | maintain and burns less gas."But Damon did admit, "I |
| other small motorized tools -- and they look just like | | | | took it for a ride down the street and got pulled over. |
| the real thing.The snazziest models cost thousands | | | | The officer was kind of nice about it. But I got a |
| and are made in Italy, but the ones that are selling by | | | | ticket."Police departments in the Bay Area and |
| the container load run from $200 to $500. They come | | | | elsewhere in California have been cracking down on |
| from China, among other places, and are getting | | | | the little two-wheelers, saying they are a major |
| snapped up by eager teenagers and, in some cases, | | | | accident waiting to happen. No police agency could |
| not-so-teenagers.At Broadtek LLC, a South San | | | | come up with information about any deaths caused by |
| Francisco firm that imports them, the cardboard | | | | pocket bike crashes, but police want them off the |
| cartons containing the small bikes are stacked to the | | | | public roads before the inevitable happens."Their |
| ceiling of a tall warehouse and are quickly going out | | | | numbers are starting to increase," said Milpitas police |
| the door to eager customers.In Walnut Creek, Eric | | | | Officer Jay Johnson, who was assigned by his |
| Rahin, owner of Sonic Scooterz, says he's selling them | | | | department to look into the phenomenon and ultimately |
| in droves -- "from college students to people in their | | | | write about it for the weekly Milpitas Post. "Most of the |
| late 50s. It's basically a toy to have some fun | | | | complaints we're getting is that drivers can't see them |
| with."Manufacturers say the bikes are supposed to be | | | | or there'll be a group of them racing, or they're running |
| used only on closed race tracks, private roads or any | | | | stop signs."For a while, though, until Johnson began |
| other place where there are no public traffic laws and, | | | | studying up on the subject, and the California Highway |
| more important, no big cars or trucks to run into you. | | | | Patrol sent out a memo clarifying just what is and |
| Many buyers follow that advice.But now you see | | | | what is not legal about the bikes, confusion seemed to |
| some of these new pocket bikes zinging in and out of | | | | be paramount.In fact, it shouldn't be. On many bikes, |
| parking lots, up and down residential streets and, | | | | there's a decal right there on the gas tank that says |
| occasionally into the side of a car. And therein lies the | | | | these things do not conform to "federal motor vehicle |
| rub."It's very difficult for a driver (of a car) to see one | | | | safety standards."After a lengthy consult with the |
| on those bikes, because of their low height," said San | | | | state Vehicle Code and the Department of Motor |
| Francisco police Lt. Kitt Crenshaw. "We've had several | | | | Vehicles, the CHP explained that the bikes do not |
| accidents in the last few weeks, and people went to | | | | meet a number of standards required for all vehicles |
| the hospital."The pocket bikes have a top speed of | | | | registered in California -- the most telling example being |
| about 35 mph, but can be souped up to go faster. | | | | the stipulation that "headlamp height (be) between 22 |
| They evolved from tiny but highly sophisticated racing | | | | and 54 inches."Technical problems aside, it's the safety |
| bikes that campaign on European race tracks and are | | | | issue that concerns authorities."We're really concerned |
| sometimes used as training vehicles for Grand Prix | | | | about these things mixing with traffic," said CHP |
| motorcycle racers.The bikes are faithful imitations of | | | | spokesman Steve Kohler. "If you think about it, |
| popular normal-size street motorcycles, which, for | | | | something that small is difficult to see, when it's mixed |
| marketing reasons, are faithful imitations of pure race | | | | in with cars, trucks and buses. Drivers don't even see |
| bikes, down to the disk brakes, handlebars, chain | | | | full-size motorcycles. There's no way they're going to |
| drives, twist-grip throttles and electronic ignition.The little | | | | see these things."Or, as David Edwards, editor in chief |
| bikes weigh about 50 pounds, stand about a foot and | | | | of Cycle World Magazine and a man who puts about |
| a half high and can easily be put in the trunk of a car. | | | | 20,000 miles a year on motorcycles, said: "When you |
| They have tiny engines -- 47cc or 49cc displacement, | | | | get out in city traffic, you'll be at more risk than on a |
| less than 1/20th the size of a big motorcycle. And they | | | | full-size motorcycle. But they only hold (a little) gas, so |
| are enticing."It's a fun little thing to ride," said Matt | | | | you won't go too far. And they're noisy as hell, so at |
| Damon, a 21-year-old salesman in a Martinez pet store. | | | | least people will hear you coming if not see you |
| "It's a whole lot cheaper than a $6,000 or $7,000 big | | | | coming. |
| bike. For years now, I've been riding different types of | | | | |