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Popularity of pocket
bikes on decline
Sales and complaints over
minimotorcycles are down since
a ban hit two months ago
The pocket bike craze that had residents and motorists abuzz with complaints appears to be running out of gas.
George Burmeister of Cycle Imports Hawaii said he has not sold a pocket bike since the city banned the minimotorcycles from public roads and property.
"It's actually dead," said Burmeister, who sold about 150 pocket bikes during the summer.
City park officials also stopped receiving complaints about noise and safety concerns of pocket bike riders at Central Oahu Regional Park and the Waipio Soccer Complex in Waipahu after the ban took effect more than two months ago.
"We haven't seen any pocket bikes," said Glenn Kajiwara, city Department of Parks and Recreation manager in Central Oahu.
The number of citations was not available, but police in Pearl City and Kailua continue to receive complaints.
"We get complaints several times a week," said Sgt. Dean Kawamoto, of the Kailua Substation.
Kawamoto said he recently tried to stop two 12-year-old boys who piled on one pocket bike in the parking lot of Kaneohe Elementary School.
The children sped off after he attempted to talk to them. Pocket bike riders were also observed at Waimanalo District Park, said Kawamoto.
However, city spokeswoman Carol Costa said park officials who oversee the Waimanalo park have not received any complaints from residents.
But Sgt. Jensen Okagawa of the Pearl City Substation said they continue to get daily complaints throughout the district, which covers Aiea, Pearl City and Waipahu.
Anyone riding a pocket bike on public streets faces a $55 fine.
Meanwhile, lawmakers in New Jersey and Philadelphia are seeking to ban pocket bikes from public places. In August, 18-year-old Angel Boulogne died in Philadelphia when he drove a pocket bike the wrong way on a one-way street and collided with a car.
Reimar Muniz, manager of Razor Concepts at Pearlridge Center, said they tell consumers that the bike is not street legal and is intended for adults, not children.
"A lot of adults think it's for kids because of its size," said Muniz.
And sales remain steady, with many of their customers coming from the Big Island and Maui, he added.
Wahiawa resident Jon Sanchez said he recently purchased two pocket bikes, a fuel-operated bike for himself and an electric bike for his 5-year-old son, Kimson.
Sanchez supports the city's ban on pocket bikes from public streets, but he would like to see the city create a park for them.
"I think kids on public streets going at top speed (on pocket bikes) ... I think that's a misuse," he said. "When I used to skateboard, we didn't have parks. Now they have parks islandwide," said Sanchez, 28.
Burmeister and Muniz also believe a park -- with rules -- for pocket bikes is a good idea.
Sanchez said his son's electric pocket bike can travel 12 miles per hour. His son wears a helmet and other safety gear when he takes him riding on a private road in Kalihi.
"I'm always side by side by him," he said.
Sanchez noted that his family members were strongly against him buying a pocket bike as a birthday present.
"My whole family wanted to kill me when I wanted to get it for him," said Sanchez. "I understand he is too young. I do assume responsibility. ... I'm with him at every moment."
