*** Pocket bikes' present no small danger ***

MILFORD, MA (AP) -- 06/29/2004
The hum of Tito Lebron's motorcycle engine began to echo in the
parking lot near the Lincoln Discount liquor and Auto Zone stores
off East Main Street Thursday.

Lebron's bike is no ordinary motorcycle -- the bike is called a
"pocket bike" and at about 50 pounds, it's considerably smaller
than a real motorcycle.

Lebron, 30, a sales representative at Auto Zone at 161 East Main
St., said he sells these types of motorized bikes. He said they are
sweeping the area, but the fad is met by concern by safety officials.

"We've been selling these bikes like hotcakes," said Lebron.
"I love them. All my friends have them, because they are a good
time to ride. I think everyone wants to buy them when they see
them, because it's something new they've never seen before and
they look good. They are very popular and fun."

Pocket bikes sell for about $450.

Rob Broome, 15, and Mike De Castro, 15, both of Milford,
were a little dejected when they learned the Pocket Bikes were
sold out at Auto Zone.

"A lot of our friends are trying to get them, but they sell out fast,"
said Broome as he sat on his non-motorized bicycle outside Auto
Zone. "I like them because you can get around much quicker and
I just kind of like them."

"I just think they're cool and I want one," said De Castro.
"I like them because they look like real street bikes."

Although some people may think the pocket bikes are fun, Milford
Police Chief Thomas O'Loughlin said he's concerned about their safety.

"These pocket bikes and those motorized scooters are the most
dangerous things out there right now," said O'Loughlin Wednesday.
"There are no regulations for them because they are not considered
motor vehicles. Their engines are not large enough (pocket bike
engines are about the size of a lawn mower engine).

"There is no helmet law that applies to them and you don't need
a license," he said. "They are essentially souped-up mini-bikes."

O'Loughlin, who serves on the state's Child Fatality Review Team,
said he is concerned about children riding pocket bikes.

"If a kid is moving 35 mph down the street and hits an automobile,
there probably will be a serious injury or death. That's significant,"
said O'Loughlin.

Marlborough has been wrestling with banning the bikes in the city.
This week the City Council put the brakes on proposed limits for
motorized-scooter riders, waiting first to see how much momentum
a state proposal gains in the next few weeks.

At a hearing earlier this month, Marlborough Police Chief Mark
Leonard said the scooters don't belong on the sidewalks or roadways
and many of the children using them have little understanding of traffic

laws. He said many communities are looking at rules since state law
doesn't cover scooters.

"These are kind of unique," Leonard said.
"Nobody knows what to do with them."

Marlborough resident Louis Bibi said kids race up and down his
street on scooters, and he fears for their safety. And even if a child
makes the mistake, Bibi said, he would be at fault if he hit a scooter
rider.

"I do not want a child's blood on my hands," Bibi said.

Uxbridge Police Sgt. Tim Burke said there is a chance for injury
involving pocket bikes on the street, because motorists will not
be able to see them.

"There is more likely the potential for an injury, because they are
so low to the ground," said Burke. "It's like a kid lying down on a
skateboard and going down the street. The pocket bikes are about
that height and it's hard for motorists to see them."

State Rep. Robert Fennell, D-Lynn, introduced a bill in January
2003 regulating two-wheel motorized vehicles like pocket bikes
and scooters. If passed, no one can operate motorized bikes or
scooters until the age of 16; the speed of such vehicles could not
exceed 25 mph; proper protective head gear would be required;
and no passengers would be allowed on these motor bikes.

Fennell was not available for comment Friday.

"There hasn't been a major problem yet, but we
need to regulate to ensure safety," said O'Loughlin.

According to the office of state Rep. Marie Parente, D-Milford,
the state's Committee on Public Safety recommended the bill in
March 2004 and the House of Representatives passed the bill on
May 19, 2004. The bill is currently working its way through the
Senate as of June 21.

Lebron said his pocket bike can reach about 55 mph
and he's very aware of safety on the streets.

"I always wear a helmet and you have to have a registration sticker.
You have to be 16 to ride on the side of the street and you have to
ride with the traffic. Safety is very important."

Burke said Uxbridge has not had a problem with pocket bikes,
but he expects to see the fad grow.

"Right now this is being dealt with on a town-by-town basis,"
said Burke. "We haven't had an issue here, but these pocket bikes
may be in the area soon, because the fad is bound to filter here
sooner or later."

Geneb...Wenatchee,Washington-USA
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