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newsrel -- ARB investigation leads to $33,000 judgment against Bay Area dealer of "pocket bikes"

Posted: 07 Oct 2009 11:57:14
Uncertified engines are a threat to public health. 

Release 09-91
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2009
	  	  	
Karen Caesar
(626) 575-6728
www.arb.ca.gov

ARB investigation leads to $33,000 judgment against Bay Area
dealer of "pocket bikes"

Vehicles were uncertified, illegal to sell in CA

SACRAMENTO - An investigation by the Air Resources Board has led
to a $33,000 judgment issued in June by the Alameda Superior
Court against Alameda-based Scooter Importers for selling
uncertified off-road vehicles and "pocket bikes."

Despite their resemblance to legally certified motorcycles,
these pocket bikes, which are small enough to be picked up and
stored in the trunk or back seat of an average car, did not meet
State safety or emissions standards for on-road vehicles and
cannot be sold in California. All the uncertified vehicles were
manufactured in China.

"Breaking clean air laws costs violators money," said ARB
Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "But more than that, it costs millions
of Californians their health. These pocket bikes may be cute but
they can produce 100 times the emissions of a clean new car."

Scooter Importers was issued three Notices of Violation for
selling the uncertified vehicles. A settlement was not reached,
so the case was referred to the Alameda County District
Attorney's Office for prosecution. A judgment was ultimately
entered in Superior Court in the amount of $33,000 for Health and
Safety Code violations. The Air Resources Board will receive
$7,000, while the Alameda County District Attorney's Office will
receive $8,000 and the Alameda County Treasurer $18,000.

In addition, Scooter Importers was permanently enjoined from
acquiring, offering for sale, or selling uncertified motor
vehicles for use, registration, or resale in California.

Vehicles that do not meet California's tough emission
requirements pose real danger to residents. They create higher
amounts of smog-forming pollutants, which can then exacerbate
respiratory ailments and negatively affect other health
conditions.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

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