CITY CRACKDOWN ON POCKET BIKES

Police and city officials on Monday warned that pocket bikes -the 2-foot-tall minimotorcycles that look almost exactly like racingbikes - will be impounded and the riders ticketed if they are caughtdriving them on city streets.

The bikes, which can reach speeds up to 40 mph, are miniaturereplicas of full-size motorcycles, some being modeled after HarleyDavidsons and Ninjas.

But because they are so small, police say they are roving deathtraps, that have the potential to kill or maim their riders.

"They are very dangerous," said Lt. Larry Swanson of the LosAngeles Police Department. "If we see them, we will impound them andthe motorists will be cited."

Law enforcement agencies across the nation and locally have beentargeting the scofflaws, many of whom do not wear helmets as theyputter between vehicles in parking lots and on sidewalks.

Police in Glendale, Santa Clarita, Castaic, and the LAPD reportthey all have noticed an uptick in those riding pocket bikes andhave been seizing the bikes and citing their riders.

Under the state vehicle code, the bikes are illegal to ride onpublic streets, police said.

They also lack standard equipment required by federal, state andlocal authorities, such as brake lights and headlights. Also, thereare no vehicle identification numbers, which the CaliforniaDepartment of Motor Vehicles require for the bikes to be streetlegal.

Manufacturers say their bikes are made for racetracks, privateproperty and off-road use.

While not going as far as some cities - such as New York and SanFrancisco - which have considered banning them, Los Angeles CityCouncilman Dennis Zine has introduced a motion asking the LAPD toinvestigate whether the bikes can be brought into compliance withlocal and state laws.

"I love my Harley, and I understand the attraction of theseminibikes," Zine said. "My goal is to see that everyone - riders andpublic alike - know the law. It seems only logical the city shoulddo what it can to regulate" these vehicles.

Pocket bikes became popular in Europe in the mid-1980s amongracers, some of whom souped up their minis so they can ride up to 70mph on a pro racing circuit. Now, the bikes, which range from $300to $1,500, have become popular among consumers, many sold at autoshops and toy stores in the downtown Toy District and on theInternet.

"It's become the craze," said Bob Brooks, who runs Baronbob.com,which sells novelty items. "We get a dozen phone calls a day. Peopleare just desperate. Sales are very brisk."

Jason Kandel, (818) 713-3664

jason.kandel(at)dailynews.com