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West Virginia City Considers Banning Motorized Bicycles

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PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia city is considering banning motorized bicycles.

The Parkersburg News and Sentinel reports city Police Chief Joe Martin says there are about 300 pocket bikes or mini-bikes in the city and they have become a safety hazard.

He said residents have complained because some riders do not obey traffic laws, zipping in and out of traffic and riding on sidewalks. He said some will drag race down a busy road at night.

Martin said the bikes can go as fast as 20 mph. But he said some have trouble stopping quickly because they are equipped with regular bicycle brakes instead of disc brakes.

The Parkersburg City Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday to consider the ban.