Cross Pocket Bikes Off Your List
By Ralph Buss
If your kids or grandchildren have sent off their Christmas wish list to Santa, a pocket bike may be their top choice for a stocking stuffer. But before you lay out the bucks to buy them one, you should check out the laws regarding their use. Nothing is more disheartening than to see a child’s face turn from pure joy to frustration as they find out that their favorite gift cannot be used anywhere, not legally anyway.
With Christmas fast approaching, several shops have asked me to print the laws regarding the use of mini-motorcycles, or pocket rockets, and to warn parents and grandparents against giving a gift that will be of little or no legal use.
These scaled-down racing motorcycles stand just 18 inches high, weigh about 50 lbs. and sound like a weed whacker on steroids as they whiz by at speeds up to 50 mph. Since last summer, tens of thousands of them have hit the streets…where they are illegal to operate in most states.
Salespeople say that they warn buyers that the miniature motorcycles are not legal for street use, but acknowledge that most purchasers will ride them wherever they want to. Though laws governing their use vary not only from state to state, and can include regulations through city and county ordinances, most jurisdictions restrict their use to private property only.
Pocket bikes became popular in Europe in the mid-90's as specialized race bikes, but a flood of cheap Chinese-made knock-offs have hit the American marketplace and are now even sold as toys in department stores as well as in motorcycle shops, auto parts places, flea markets and over the Internet.
Websites of some pocket-bike sellers boast "no registration or insurance required in most states," and some show promotional videos of people riding the bikes on public streets.
But in most states pocket bikes cannot be legally operated on public streets or sidewalks, and in response to the onslaught of the tiny terrors zipping along sidewalks or in and out of traffic, more and more states and municipalities have limited their use or banned them outright.
According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s website; “With the recent media attention surrounding mini motorcycles, or pocket bikes, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) would like to remind owners and potential purchasers, parents in particular, that these machines cannot be legally ridden on public roadways. Pocket bikes are not manufactured to meet U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. They do not have lights or turn signals, and are not manufactured to comply with federal emissions or noise standards. A primary hazard is that the bikes are so small, and the rider sits so low, that other motorists may not see them at all. They are designed for use on racetracks and private property only.”
These are not toys. They are motorized vehicles that require a motorcycle license to operate and registration and insurance to ride on the street (insurance companies refer to them as “miscellaneous vehicles” that require specialized insurance); but children under 16 are too young to possess a license and the bikes themselves are not street legal and therefore cannot be registered.
Ohio law regulates the operation of such miniature motorcycles on public streets, and the following guidelines are taken directly from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles website:
In Ohio, the motor scooters and mini-motorcycles cannot be legally operated on Ohio’s roadways unless - they are titled, registered, covered by the proper insurance and the operator is at least 16 years old with a motorcycle license or endorsement on his or her driver license.
Most of the small electric and gas powered motor scooters, which are sold in sporting good stores and department stores, are not roadworthy, therefore cannot be titled or registered.
In order for the scooter or the mini-motorcycle to be considered roadworthy each must contain a seat, not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, contain the proper brake lights, turn signals, horn, rearview mirrors and headlights.
Please make sure you have the proper insurance coverage on your motor scooter or mini-motorcycle, before registering your vehicle. The owner and the operator of the motor scooter or mini-motorcycle are subject to financial responsibility suspensions if the proper insurance is not maintained.
And finally, in order for the individual to legally operate the motor scooter or mini-motorcycle – he or she must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver license with a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle license. It is very important to know Ohio’s road laws and signs before an individual attempts to operate a vehicle of any kind on Ohio’s roadways. Licensed drivers have been tested on their knowledge and skills.
Please, know the law before you purchase a motor scooter or a mini-motorcycle. Know where they may be operated and who can operate them. If you have questions you may contact the BMV at 614-752-7800 and you also need to check with your local jurisdiction before you make the purchase.
It’s about your safety, your children’s safety and the other drivers’ safety.
So, if you’re considering purchasing a
mini-motorcycle, you should inquire with your local police to find out what laws
may apply.
Also, before you decide to park a pocket bike under your Christmas tree, you should know that they're not a recommended toy for your tot. In fact, WATCH (World Against Toys Causing Harm) has placed pocket bikes at the top of its "Most Dangerous Toys" list, and Consumer Reports magazine calls the mini-motorcycles the most dangerous holiday gift you can buy this year.
Their advice: “If your teen wants a mini motorcycle for the holidays, try talking about electric scooters instead. They're fast and fun, too, but lower to the ground and safer.”