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