Low rider: Oak Grove takes a closer look at 'pocket rockets'

Oak Grove officials are taking a look at tighter rules for small motorcycles – “pocket rockets.”

This is round 2 in Oak Grove. The city considered restrictions three years ago. Aldermen this week ordered city staff to look into the issue and come back with recommendations. Other area cities have clamped down on pocket rockets already.

It’s a cinch that we’ll be seeing more bicycles, motorcycles, motor scooters, and other devices on the roads as people look for alternatives to four-wheeled gas guzzlers, but safety still has to come first. And a lot of young people want to get around in ways that are zippy and fun – but safety still has to come first.

Pocket rockets are low to the ground and hard for other drivers to see.

“They’re very dangerous, they really are,” Alderman Hank Melhorn said.

Officials also don’t to go too far and perhaps restrict the used of motorized wheelchairs. Those also are becoming more common place. Thumbs up for the effort to take a comprehensive look at the issue and find a reasonable balance.