SYNYSTAGLI
07-15-2004, 05:03 PM
Pocket bike crackdown
LONG BEACH - Last month, state regulators cracked down on the popular miniature motorcycles known as pocket bikes, banning them from any public roadway in California.
On Tuesday, Long Beach officials took their shot at the tiny gasoline-powered racers, seeking to regulate their sale and advertisement within city limits.
"It's been my understanding that many times parents are buying these for their youngsters, and I don't really know if they really understand how dangerous these vehicles actually are,' Vice Mayor Frank Colonna said of the pint-sized motorcycle replicas, which average 24 to 32 inches tall. "Some of these kids are driving these along at 30 miles per hour with absolutely no protection, just opening themselves up to harm's way.'
Citing complaints from residents across the city, council members asked City Manager Jerry Miller to prepare a report detailing ways in which the city could govern the retail sale and advertisement of pocket bikes sold within Long Beach. State law already bans pocket bikes from public streets and highways, leaving owners with the options of riding them on certain off-road courses or on private property.
In June, officials with the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Motor Vehicles agencies which interpret statewide motor vehicle laws issued a memo to law enforcement agencies across the state saying pocket bikes were too small to be used safely on public roadways.
No specific height requirement was issued, but policymakers say the mini motorcycles are so short in stature averaging 2 feet in height that they are extremely difficult for other motorists to see clearly on city streets and highways.
In addition, DMV officials also classified pocket bikes as motor- driven cycles, placing them in a category of vehicles that require vehicle identification numbers, headlights, brake lights and turn signals for proper registration.
Although some pocket bikes have turn signals and headlights, they are not manufactured with VIN numbers, making them impossible to register for use on public roadways. Long Beach Police Chief Anthony Batts said his department has impounded 35 pocket bikes in the past 30 days and will continue to cite riders and tow their vehicles.
LONG BEACH - Last month, state regulators cracked down on the popular miniature motorcycles known as pocket bikes, banning them from any public roadway in California.
On Tuesday, Long Beach officials took their shot at the tiny gasoline-powered racers, seeking to regulate their sale and advertisement within city limits.
"It's been my understanding that many times parents are buying these for their youngsters, and I don't really know if they really understand how dangerous these vehicles actually are,' Vice Mayor Frank Colonna said of the pint-sized motorcycle replicas, which average 24 to 32 inches tall. "Some of these kids are driving these along at 30 miles per hour with absolutely no protection, just opening themselves up to harm's way.'
Citing complaints from residents across the city, council members asked City Manager Jerry Miller to prepare a report detailing ways in which the city could govern the retail sale and advertisement of pocket bikes sold within Long Beach. State law already bans pocket bikes from public streets and highways, leaving owners with the options of riding them on certain off-road courses or on private property.
In June, officials with the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Motor Vehicles agencies which interpret statewide motor vehicle laws issued a memo to law enforcement agencies across the state saying pocket bikes were too small to be used safely on public roadways.
No specific height requirement was issued, but policymakers say the mini motorcycles are so short in stature averaging 2 feet in height that they are extremely difficult for other motorists to see clearly on city streets and highways.
In addition, DMV officials also classified pocket bikes as motor- driven cycles, placing them in a category of vehicles that require vehicle identification numbers, headlights, brake lights and turn signals for proper registration.
Although some pocket bikes have turn signals and headlights, they are not manufactured with VIN numbers, making them impossible to register for use on public roadways. Long Beach Police Chief Anthony Batts said his department has impounded 35 pocket bikes in the past 30 days and will continue to cite riders and tow their vehicles.