Russia debates banning pocket bikes after surge in child accidents and lax penalties
A surge in accidents involving minors riding pocket bikes has raised concerns across Russia. Human rights activist Lev Voropayev claims the current penalties are failing to deter dangerous behaviour. He is now pushing for stricter measures to tackle the problem.
Under existing laws, unlicensed pocket bike riding carries a fine of 5,000 to 15,000 rubles. Voropayev argues that this penalty is too low to prevent children from using the vehicles unsafely. His proposed solution includes confiscating pocket bikes when minors are caught riding them.
He also wants to target adults who buy these bikes for underage riders. One suggestion involves imposing fines of hundreds of thousands of rubles on parents. Another idea is to increase recycling fees on pocket bikes, making them harder to obtain.
To spread awareness, Voropayev has called for large-scale public campaigns. His aim is to highlight the risks and push for tighter restrictions on pocket bike use.
Meanwhile, traffic police in Krasnodar Krai have noted a rise in accidents involving self-balancing scooters. However, the exact causes of these incidents remain unclear.
The debate over pocket bike safety continues as activists demand stronger action. If Voropayev’s proposals go ahead, parents and retailers could face heavier financial penalties. The focus remains on reducing accidents by limiting children’s access to these vehicles.
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