Mini Motorcycles Are a Growing Safety Issue; Pocket Bikes Are Illegal to Ride on Streets or Sidewalk.

LOS ANGELES -- Miniature motorcycles, known as pocket bikes, have become popular items this summer and many children are riding them illegally on city streets and sidewalks, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. Pocket bike riders who use them on streets and sidewalks put themselves in danger of serious injury or death.

Pocket bikes are sold at toy stores, automotive supply outlets and neighborhood shops. One company estimates it will sell 500,000 pocket bikes by the end of the year.

"There are very few places to ride a pocket bike legally, so children are riding them on streets and sidewalks," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp. "We know of 2 fatalities involving young people on pocket bikes. One child was killed in South L.A. and a 14-year-old El Monte boy was killed when he was hit by a truck. The driver of the truck told police that he could not see the pocket bike rider."

Pocket bikes can be ridden legally only on private property with the owner's consent, such as a racetrack. Currently, only one race facility in Southern California allows pocket bikes access to its track.

Pocket bikes are not permitted on streets or sidewalks because they do not meet California Department of Motor Vehicle requirements for registration. They do not have a 17-digit vehicle identification number, which indicates the manufacturers intend them for use off public streets. In addition, they do not conform to DMV safety provisions requiring equipment such as lights, reflectors, approved tires, horn, mirrors and brakes on both tires.

"Anyone caught riding a pocket bike in traffic or on a sidewalk is in violation of up to 15 California Vehicle Code sections," said Ronald Bergman, deputy chief of the LAPD's Valley Bureau. "In addition to traffic citations, in the City of Los Angeles the bike will be impounded."

The popularity of pocket bikes is due largely to aggressive advertising by manufacturers and prices that begin under $200. "Pocket bikes are being marketed to children as toys. Advertisements depict children riding them. But parents who buy these bikes for their children knowing there is nowhere safe for them to ride are giving their children a very dangerous toy," Thorp said.