by ACPD Brownlee » Sun Aug 14, 2005 8:54 am
Wired911....
You asked about two different things... First what are the laws concerning motorized scooters and pocket bikes.
These two forms of transportation are different things. Motorized scooters are the type you ride standing on and looks sort of like a skateboard with handle bars and a motor (either gas or electric)
They have laws that govern who can drive them, where and how. To put it in the Reader’s Digest version, you must: 1) Must have a brake. 2) Can not be operated on a street that has a speed limit more than 25 MPH unless the street has a bicycle lane (this would be Am Can Rd, most of the newer streets). 3) Must wear a bicycle helmet & fastened. 4) Must have a valid driver’s license or permit. 5) No PASSENGERS. 6) Must keep one hand on handlebars. 7) Can not operate on sidewalk. 8) Handlebars must be at or below shoulder height. 9) Do not leave blocking sidewalk path. 10) Attach to any other vehicle (As in towing the scooter/rider).
Pocket bikes are generally the small motorcycle looking toys which are sold all over. ALL of these pocket bikes are ILLEGAL….. No exceptions. Legally they must fill the same requirements as a full size motorcycle, but they can not since they are made in a fashion that does not conform to California's Codes regulating motor vehicles. They do not have the proper turn, stop and headlights, reflectors, tires, brakes, metal fuel tank, they are not sold with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and can not be registered. The vehicle must be insured and you need a motorcycle license endorsement to operate these on public streets/pathways parking lots.
Second, you asked what could be done. Generally, when the officer sees a violation we will stop and issue a citation for the noted violations. If you notice a violation, please call our office at 648-0171 and try to provided some general description and the direction last seen. Do not confront the operator on your own, just “be a good witness” and let us know where they were last seen and what they looked like.
Wired911....
You asked about two different things... First what are the laws concerning motorized scooters and pocket bikes.
These two forms of transportation are different things. Motorized scooters are the type you ride standing on and looks sort of like a skateboard with handle bars and a motor (either gas or electric)
They have laws that govern who can drive them, where and how. To put it in the Reader’s Digest version, you must: 1) Must have a brake. 2) Can not be operated on a street that has a speed limit more than 25 MPH unless the street has a bicycle lane (this would be Am Can Rd, most of the newer streets). 3) Must wear a bicycle helmet & fastened. 4) Must have a valid driver’s license or permit. 5) No PASSENGERS. 6) Must keep one hand on handlebars. 7) Can not operate on sidewalk. 8) Handlebars must be at or below shoulder height. 9) Do not leave blocking sidewalk path. 10) Attach to any other vehicle (As in towing the scooter/rider).
Pocket bikes are generally the small motorcycle looking toys which are sold all over. ALL of these pocket bikes are ILLEGAL….. No exceptions. Legally they must fill the same requirements as a full size motorcycle, but they can not since they are made in a fashion that does not conform to California's Codes regulating motor vehicles. They do not have the proper turn, stop and headlights, reflectors, tires, brakes, metal fuel tank, they are not sold with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and can not be registered. The vehicle must be insured and you need a motorcycle license endorsement to operate these on public streets/pathways parking lots.
Second, you asked what could be done. Generally, when the officer sees a violation we will stop and issue a citation for the noted violations. If you notice a violation, please call our office at 648-0171 and try to provided some general description and the direction last seen. Do not confront the operator on your own, just “be a good witness” and let us know where they were last seen and what they looked like.