*** Pocket bikes illegal on public roadways ***

Maui, HI (AP) -- 08/29/2004
Carmelito Vila, chief of the Maui County Motor Vehicles
and Licensing Division, said Wednesday that neither the
county nor the state will license the vehicles commonly known
as pocket bikes for operation on the highways.

"They can be used off-street, like dirt bikes. But they’re not
designed to be used or to be operated on the roadways,"
Vila said.

Maui police reported that officers have confiscated eight of the
pocket bikes so far from riders operating them illegally on public
roads.

"We started noticing them about a month ago," said Lt.
Jeffrey Tanoue, commander of the Maui police Traffic Section.
"We have had multiple complaints about these pocket bikes
speeding through neighborhoods. They definitely are a hazard
to themselves and to other drivers on the road because of their
low profile."

Anyone operating one on a highway is in violation of any number
of traffic laws, although Tanoue said it’s sometimes difficult for an
officer to determine which laws are at issue.

That’s because the pocket bikes usually have little information on
the size of the motors and capabilities, which are all factors in how
the vehicle is classified.

The vehicles are scale-model copies of motorcycles. Some
of the miniversions are capable of running at highway speeds.
But they are running on small gas or electric motors. Depending
on the size and capabilities of the motors, the vehicle could be
classified as a motorcycle (over 50 cubic centimeters displacement
or five horsepower), a motor scooter (between two and five
horsepower) or a mo-ped.

But whatever the size, Vila said the
vehicles cannot be licensed for road use.

"I had the safety check supervisor check on them.
They are not legal to be on the roadways, those small ones,"
he said.

He said because of their small size, they don’t conform to any
standards for legal motor vehicles. Also because of their small
size, generally 18 inches high, they pose severe safety hazards
to anyone riding them in traffic.

"They’re very unsafe because they’ve got such a low profile,"
Vila said.

"We had one request to register one as a bicycle and as a mo-ped.
We have denied it. Until someone can show proof that they meet
safety standards, we won’t register them."

According to Tanoue, pocket bikes originated in Japan and
Europe where they were used to train motorcycle racers.
Authentic scale models can sell for $4,000, he said, but the
ones commonly carried by retailers as toy vehicles are selling
for $300 to $800.

He said they are being carried by several retailers, including
Wal-Mart in Kahului, and also are being sold online.

"These vehicles do not meet federal Motor Vehicle Safety
standards. Therefore they are illegal to operate on public
roads, sidewalks, parks and schools," he said.

He said officers can cite a rider on a public roadway under any
number of statutes, including lack of a tax certificate, lack of a
safety sticker and riding without required protective gear.

Any vehicle used on a public road that is not properly licensed
or registered also may be seized by police, he said.

Both Vila and Tanoue said pocket bikes can be run on private
property, but Tanoue cautioned that anyone riding such a vehicle
should wear appropriate safety gear.

"If parents are going to allow their kids to ride on private property,
they should be equipped with safety equipment, helmets and
appropriate apparel, just like with dirt bikes," he said.

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