Minibikes

Abstract

Minibikes—which are basically miniature motorcycles—are being bought for and ridden by children who are too young to be permitted to obtain a driver's license. Because the increasing use of minibikes by young children is accompanied by an increase in minibike-related accidents, pediatricians should become aware of the accident potential of these vehicles and precautions to be taken by the parents or other care-givers of young riders. Rivara and Berger1 found that minibike riders received 20,000 injuries from 1975 to 1976. Children 5 to 9 years old accounted for 83% of these injuries, and children 10 to 14 years old accounted for 17%.