Driving for Fun: Children's Motor Scooters
In recent years the interest in motor sports has trickled down
to younger generations who have now fueled the growth of
children motor scooter drivers. Kids younger than 10-years-old
have become enthusiasts of riding scooters. Scooters have long
been a popular toy for kids and the introduction of motor
scooters boosted the demand for children's scooters even more.
To appease the growing demand for kid's motor scooters,
manufacturers have released all varieties of designs that are
tailored for the comfort and safety of children. The diverse
selection of motor scooters designs has and continues to
increase the popularity of the product among young kids. With
each new kid motor scooter model a manufacturer comes out with,
the features and accommodations made just for kids become more
specific and specialized to better serve the fun and safety of
the drivers. For the first time child scooterist there are
several starter scooters, with or without a motor, that have the
same design as the original t-stand scooters, except a second
rear wheel is in place. The two rear wheels act in the same
manner as training wheels on a bicycle to help with balance.
Beyond a basic starter scooter for kids, the motor scooter
designs become more creative and sometimes elaborate. There are
several inexpensive types of children's motor scooters with
designs mocking full sized vehicles. Because children will not
be driving their motor scooters as legal vehicles on the road
with automobiles, the scooter designs do not have to meet any
requirements to make them street legal. Safety measures are
still taken but this factor allows more leeway on the creative
designs. These scooters not being street ready also lets the
manufacturers make smaller designs, which are more appropriate
for young kids. New motor scooter favorites of many young kids
are those with a chopper motorcycle design. These scooters are
fairly compact like the t-stand styles but the seat, handle bars
and wheels have changed position to make a miniature mock of a
chopper.
Exterior plastic covers are in place to further complete the
chopper look. Other creative motor scooter designs completely
change the stereotypical designs of scooters by setting them
lower and on four wheels. These designs are created to imitate
luxury vehicles and classic cars. For the most part the exterior
casing is what makes the design what it is. The engine and other
functioning parts are very similar or identical to other
scooters.
Children are not going to drive their motor scooters on streets
as a regular vehicle, but safety equipment laws are in place,
similar to those set for commuter scooters. The laws and
regulations will vary in each state, but in most areas a
mandatory helmet law has been set, usually for children under
14-years-old. To enforce the importance that children wear
proper safety equipment, some areas issue $50 tickets or fines
to violators of the rule. Laws working this way will most likely
allow the fine to be dropped if a parent or guardian can prove a
helmet has been purchased for the child after receiving the
ticket.