Our Successful SABMA Efforts Protect Community

I am pleased to report that our concerted and relentless efforts to have Mini-Bikes (a.k.a. "Pocket Rockets" or "Crotch Rockets") outlawed here in NYC have finally been successful. Praise God!

Last Tuesday on Sept. 28th, the full City Council unanimously banned both their sale and use by the votes of 51-0. Last week it also breezed through their transportation committee* 8-0.

St. Anthony's Bread Mission Apostolate has been lobbying against these contraptions for the past year through our letter writing campaigns to our NYC legislators, monthly meetings with our Community Board, the local Police Community Council and conferences with our local City Councilmen. This writer had spoken out against them often and as recently as on Sept. 14th and 21st at local community meetings.

* The Department of Consumer Affairs testified AGAINST the legislation in that committee. It's reported that the Mayor might veto this new legislation to preserve the economic business which he fears will move to NJ or Long Island. If he does then we will bring the full brunt of our SABMA Covenant Community efforts against his campaign for re-election. We also oppose his efforts to have NYC underwrite a new sports stadium in mid-town Manhattan. We will continue to do so until he reopens those NYC fire-houses which he closed.

However, through protest rallies, community prayer and other pressure, SABMA was SUCCESSFUL last year in getting him to reprieve our local Engine 293 in Queens from the budget cutting ax. Two out of eight were saved and kept open through our community efforts. (At times like this, I'm thankful that our mission apostolate still has not received it's 501 (c) (3) exemption from the federal government. So let them try to intimidate us into silence.)

These brightly colored motorized scooters (which are very small versions of motorcycles - SEE PHOTO ABOVE) are the latest fad among kids and young people. Fitted with either a gas or electric engine, they have a wheel diameter of eight inches, a total unit height of only 18 inches from the ground, weigh only 45 lbs. and most reach speeds of up to 40 MPH. Some versions of the mini-motorcycle can hit speeds up to 70 MPH. (There are also smaller versions, called micro-pocket rockets.) They are made in China and are sold everywhere dirt cheap at between $200. - $500. bucks.

Since they cannot be legally or technically classified, they are not registered with the Dept. of Motor Vehicles. And since they are considered "TOYS", they are not fitted with any safety equipment like brake lights, tail lights, turn signals, head lights or reflectors. Riders -- who are typically too young to drive a car -- rarely wear helmets and have had no driver and/or safety training. Dare-devil kids and youths often ride with other kids on their backs while racing their "choppers" up and down city streets through red lights and stop signs.

I almost hit several of them with my vehicle since they are not visible at night and ride low -- below the level of car hoods and mirrors. The ONLY warning I had was the roar they make when approaching and passing. Our other consternation was that they were assembling into "motorcycle" packs of about a dozen kids (between 8-15 years old) and constantly drag racing up and down the street at all hours of the day and night spewing raucous noise and pollution. Most of those stunt drivers scorned my warnings and were oblivious to oncoming traffic. That was the crux of my umbrage and concern which went from being a quality of life issue to a matter of life and death.

Sadly, when I approached the parent(s) of these young children (to educate, inform and warn them), I was either rebuffed with apathy, resentment - or met with hostility. Very few of them gave their kids helmets or training with the bikes they bought them. Last month, on August 19th, a 19-year-old local youth in Kew Gardens, Queens was killed speeding on one when he hit a pot hole. He was thrown from the vehicle and died when he suffered a skull fracture and brain lacerations after landing on his unprotected head. Adults who also drive them have to squat on the seat since they are so low.

This new legislation will impose fines of $500. on operators who will also be issued a traffic ticket. The bikes will be confiscated! (Their use is also banned on private property.) Any NYC vendor who sells, rents, or leases these mini-bikes will be fined $1,000, imprisoned for 15 days or both.

The ban will not affect those mo-peds, go-peds (skateboards with motors in the back and T-shaped steering bars up front) or electric scooters that run at speeds below 15 MPH. Also exempted (at this time) are the two-wheeled, stand-up, self-balancing Segway Human Transporters and other devices used to assist disabled persons. A bill currently before the state Assembly would amend New York State vehicle and traffic law to define motorized scooters and regulate their operation on public roadways.
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DISCLAIMER: - "Pocket Rockets" are NOT to be confused with sex toys, skis, sports cars, 9 mm semi-automatic pistols, video games, poker games, pocket PCs, PDAs, hand-held computers, microrocketry technology or that punk rock group, etc. with this same name.

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