Another city bans tiny bikes

TAYLORSVILLE — As pocket bikes and mini-motorcycles face the scrutiny of the state Legislature, yet another city has banned their use on its streets.

Taylorsville is the latest city to ban low-profile motorized vehicles from public property. However, Taylorsville made an exception other cities have not: Motorized chairs used by the disabled and the elderly will still be allowed.

Taylorsville joins West Valley City, Herriman, South Jordan, Layton, Centerville, Kaysville and Salt Lake County in trying to put a stop to pocket bike use on city streets and sidewalks. In Salt Lake County cities, the ordinances are mainly meant to supplement an already existing countywide ban so city councils can make their specific objections to their use known. Tooele is also considering a ban.

Many pocket bikes can travel as fast as 40 mph, and a rider's feet are only about 6 inches from the ground. Safety advocates worry the low profile means even an adult driving one would be hard for motorists to see.

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, lawmakers are considering HB159, which would make the prohibition of low-profile vehicles statewide. However, the bikes' small size has so far left them unregulated by the state, which has jurisdiction only over vehicles whose engines are larger than 50 cubic centimeters. Because of that, police have had to wait for city councils to rule on the issue before deciding how to crack down.