I was wondering how many of you have had problems with pocket bikes--those little two foot high mini-motor cycles. Apparently, they have become very popular and were a hot Christmas item for kids from 6 years up. TXDOT will not register them because they are not really designed for street use and don't have the required safety equipment much less a federally recognized VIN number. There have been a number of accidents, most involving kids, and at least one fatality in Texas.
Anyway, have these appeared on your radar screen? From what we are hearing, some buyers have been told or have been led to believe that they are street-legal because they are "motor assisted scooters." However, since most of them have an engine over 40 hp and none of them have a deck to stand on, they don't qualify under the definition in Transportation Code 551.301.
Any thoughts, comments, etc.
Janette Ansolabehere
Posts: 674 | Location: Austin, Texas, United States | Registered: March 28, 2001
Those little scooters are all over the place in the 'burbs around Houston. Mostly with adults???? driving them, with their knees wayyyyyy up high because the bikes are so low to the ground.
Some have lower power electric engines, but as J said, some have very powerful gas engines and do appear to move on out.
I suspect personal injury lawyers are very in tune to this latest fad. As if celebrex and vioxx weren't enough of a christmas gift to our Plaintiff's PI brothers and sisters...
Posts: 2578 | Location: The Great State of Texas | Registered: December 26, 2001
We have a store here in the mall that sells these things for as little as $300, so I bet they'll be a bigger and bigger hit with the automotively-challenged. Once you've seen a grown man riding down the street on one of these things, it's hard to believe anyone would dream of using them as a genuine means of transportation. Having seen a guy pull up on one to report to our probation office, it almost seems more of an opportunity for pathos than prosecution. But still a hoot. Till the first time one gets run over by a Suburban.
Posts: 49 | Location: Midland, Texas, USA | Registered: December 30, 2004
In June of 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement (which was reaffirmed 10/1/04) regarding two-, three-, and four-wheel unlicensed motor vehicles. This statement hit the news b/c of the dangers with 3-& 4-wheel ATVs, but applies to everything from minibikes, minicycles, trailbikes, trailcycles, mopeds, etc. It certainly applies to these pocket bikes.
One of the AAP's conclusions (#8): "Laws should prohibit the use of ATVs [again, this AAP term includes the minibikes, etc.], on- or off-road, by children and adolescents younger than 16 years. An automobile driver's license, and preferably some additional certification in ATV use, should be required to operate an ATV. The safe use of ATVs requires the same or greater skill, judgment, and experience as needed to operate an automobile."
Great, yet another penal provision that ignores the Penal Code's description of punishment ranges. Now, we have the new punishment of $750 fine or destruction of the evidence.
Don't they have any drafting rules at all over at the Leg, Shannon? What is the point of sending something to Leg Council if no one lets them do their job?
And, this crosses that line between forfeiture and punishment. It would be easier to take his vehicle under this new bill than if he were driving drunk and killed someone.
