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