Legality of "micro" motor bikes.

Hauk

Hi guys,

I'm noticing a lot of micro scramblers and micro motorbikes around the area lately. They're being driven by 12 - 14 year olds on the greens and paths in the area, and I'm just wondering what the legality of these things are?

They get up to about 25-30mph at top speed, and they're driving them on the paths and across main roads.

They are all petrol engine powered, because they top up at the local garage.

So I'm just wondering, is there a certain loophole that allows these things to be driven on greens and paths by 12 year olds?

Thanks for the replies,
-Hauk

Kristopherus

AFAIK they're illegal. You have to tax & insure them. I'll bet none of the ones bothering your area are taxed or insured. Report them before they completyely take over the area. Might be of help if you could a few like minded neighbours to go with you.

Hauk

That's a good idea. Strength in numbers and all that.

Delancey

They are Motor Propelled Vehicles and as such should be taxed and insured - dangerous things as well , my cousin worked for a number of years as a doctor in the US and whenever he sees someone on a mini motorbile or quad he says '' great , another organ donor '' !

ldxo15wus6fpgm

AFAIK any vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine needs tax and insurance for use on public roads and it's illegal to operate one on a public footpath. There are probably other legal issues surrounding lights, reg plate, mirrors (must be at least one) the tires on them etc.

Also they're breaking the law if they aren't wearing a helmet (properly fastened) while the engine is running. Used to ride a bike and nearly got done for pulling away while my helmet strap was undone (forgot ) and the garda mentioned a fairly hefty fine but I can't remember exactly how much.

EDIT: Also I'm positive it's illegal to use them on public greens.

Victor

Let the local Garda station know, and give them a copy of this. Some photos might be useful to them.

ScouseMouse

I asked this question recently from a guard, and he told me they needed tax and insurance. They are seizing them all the time.

weeder

Selena Helpless Multiplex wrote: »

AFAIK any vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine needs tax and insurance for use on public roads and it's illegal to operate one on a public footpath. There are probably other legal issues surrounding lights, reg plate, mirrors (must be at least one) the tires on them etc.

Also they're breaking the law if they aren't wearing a helmet (properly fastened) while the engine is running. Used to ride a bike and nearly got done for pulling away while my helmet strap was undone (forgot ) and the garda mentioned a fairly hefty fine but I can't remember exactly how much.

EDIT: Also I'm positive it's illegal to use them on public greens.

I drive a motorcycle with no mirrors and am not doing anything illegal.

that said these things cannot be legally used on the road under any circumstances.(for one to register them you need euro3 approval among other certificates), then comes a number of other things like insurance and whatnot.

at the end of the day you have someone too young to be driving sitting on a badly made 200 euro bike that has "for off road use only" printed all over it

the build quality is very questionable on these bikes too as you will see on some other forums(bad sticking throttles among other safety issues)

wush06

These are everywhere where I live and the noise of the fcuking things. One night I counted six in the park at the same time 4 bikes two quads.

I say the gaurds have a hard time catching these as they can go nearly any where. It's only a matter of time before one is killed.

ldxo15wus6fpgm

weeder wrote: »

I drive a motorcycle with no mirrors and am not doing anything illegal.

http://www.rotr.ie/your-licence-and-vehicle/vehicle-safety/mirrors.html

Doesn't point to legislation however I would trust the RSA to know their stuff. I believe it's only after a certain date of production for motorcycles though. Wouldn't advise continuing like that in any case, riding a bike is dangerous enough as it is. Fairly easy to fit a set to a classic!