Trying to Get Rid of a Tiny Pain

Santa Ana officials called on state legislators Wednesday to limit the sale of miniature motorcycles known as pocket bikes.

The imported motorized bikes have exploded in popularity in the last year among children and adults alike.

But they are prohibited on public streets and sidewalks because they lack brake lights, turn signals and are not registered with the state, said Police Chief Paul M. Walters.

City police have impounded 27 bikes and reported five injury accidents involving them this year.

Even so, the tiny bikes remain alluring.

They cost as little as $85, are less than 2 feet tall, weigh 35 to 60 pounds and are easily maneuvered and transported.

“They are not only unsafe, but they are real loud,” said City Councilman Jose Solorio, referring to their high-pitched, lawn-mower-like whine.

“It’s obnoxious.”

Solorio said legislation could limit bike sales to motorcycle shops that would be required to inform consumers that the bikes may be used only on private property. But he and others did not specify what kind of legislation they were seeking.

California Highway Patrol Capt. Lauren Dummer said lawmakers had not addressed the issue of pocket bikes, which, during the 1990s, cost from $2,000 to $6,000. But in the last few years, cheaper versions from China have flooded the market with noisy, 3-horsepower engines.

“We have laws that govern bicycles, motorcycles, motorized skateboards,” she said. “We have nothing that regulates pocket bikes.”

Fay Zargari, owner of the 99 Cent Store on Main Street, sells the bikes, as well as radios, televisions, socks, toys and tablecloths.

The bikes cost $85 to $400, depending on features. Zargari said sales were brisk until about two months ago, when consumers heard about police cracking down on their use on public streets.

Until then, she said, she was selling 10 a week.

“If they ask, we tell them: ‘You can’t drive it on the streets,’ ” Zargari said.

“But many people don’t ask.”

Joel Fernandez bought an electric model for his 12-year-old daughter, who lives in Michoacan, Mexico.

He hopes she will use it to get to school.

“Here, it’s illegal,” Fernandez said. “There, it’s a great way to get around.”

Assemblyman Lou Correa (D-Anaheim) hopes to work with other legislators before he leaves office Nov. 30 to organize a hearing on the bikes in December.

“Parents say this would be nice for Johnny,” Correa said.

“Not really. It is illegal on the streets, and it’s a very dangerous machine.”