Loading...
Huron Expositor, 2005-07-13, Page 5Although there have been no reported incidents, Shrophsall said he is aware of people who have been hurt on the pocket bikes and have had "near crashes on the roadway. "I don't think police action is going to completely curtail the issue until everyone knows about the danger." McMillan said he is happy to inform the public. Goderich Power Centre sells motorcycles, ATVs and scooters, but McMillan said he would never sell pocket bikes. "I can't sell stuff like that to people. I am a parent and have a responsibility to my customers," McMillan said. "They have no purpose in life. They've met no safety requirements. Everything in this shop has met all the safety criteria," he said. McMillan sells ATVs designed for young riders. The difference between his ATVs and pocket hikes is the company that manufactures them has been approved by the government. His machines have speed limits, safety tethers and other features designed to protect the rider. Pocket bikes do not share these amenities. "People come here trying to get parts for them. I can't get any, because they don't exist. A pocket hike is a novelty item, that's just what they're buying." Once the novelty item wears out, McMillan added. that is it. Anybody. he said. can order the bikes from China. If a retailer buys more than 300. he added, the company will even allow them to name the bikes whatever they would like. People. Shropshall said, mainly have to head out of Huron County to find pocket bikes. At one point a store in Clinton was reportedly selling them, but he believes they may have stopped. McMillan said local residents are likely picking up• the bikes from flea markets or off the Internet on Ebay or companies like Pocket Bike Corner. "Normally the people who buy the bikes know what to do with them." said a spokesperson for the website, News Baseball not legitimate with 'roids' From Page 4 drama on its own, as it did something along the lines of during Boston's "It think it's a heck of a lot championship run last year, more exciting with steroids." but it doesn't happen often. That, you'll notice, didn't Home runs just make the exactly answer his question. game more watchable. But it was true. Side effects But this flies in the face of considered, I'd rather watch what might be called "the Barry Bonds jack 73 home bigger picture." runs in a season, as he did in At some point, 1 had to do 2001 than a low -scoring as Reverend Lovejoy's wife pitcher's duel between Barry often begs of the people of Zito and Roy Halladay. Springfield on that most Baseball is able to excellent of television shows: manufacture compelling think of the children. And as 1 do, it's difficult to dreams. defend any big leaguer's Steroids might bring a decision to use 'roids. video game -like quality to There's some merit in the the sport that makes morons notions that adults wishing to like me tune in, but it comes he idiots should be allowed at too great a price. to, so long as they're not Though I can pretty much hurting anyone else. guarantee that my former But if steroids become not Press editor isn't reading only fashionable in the big this, I'll say now what I leagues but necessary to have should have said back then. any type of success, it won't No, the game wasn't really he long before they become legitimate anymore. And common among younger shame on those who made it teenagers dreaming the same that way. hensall.by.design ready to go once again on July 16 and 17 By Ben Forrest Expositor Staff Though it is best known as the white bean capital of Canada, the Village of. Hensall is also becoming a cultural hotspot, as a yearly event called hensall.by.design suggests. Developed in order to "raise funds, raise profile and increase a sense of community pride," according to a press release, the event will take place this year on July 16 and 17. Last year's edition raised more than $5,000 for Hensall United Church, which housed a juried art show with an eclectic mix of creations by artists both local and not -so -local. The art show attracted 32 artists from around Ontario and featured over 100 pieces of art. "It received rave reviews from the artists, the judges and the people who attended," the press release says. This year's art show is being split into three divisions — sculpture (metal, clay and wood); flatwork (paintings, sketches and photography); fabric (quilts, rugs) — which will allow judges to identify the best in each category while recognizing the extremely different mediums, the press release says. The art show and sale will take place once again at the United Church on King Street on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A freewill offering will he taken. A tour of gardens in and around Hensall will be available for $10. Tickets are available at the Presbyterian and United churches and the tours will run from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. A flower show will be held at the Presbyterian Church on Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. "Tea and tasties" will he served. As with the art show. a freewill offering will be taken. Both days of the event will feature a "Spotlight Cafe " at the United Church from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Coffee, refreshments and food will be sold and will be "reasonably priced" according to the press release. Finally, tours of the renowned Hensall-based business iceculture will be held at 81 Brock Street on Saturday and Sunday between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ice carving demonstrations will take place between noon and 2 p.m. Pocket bikes are a dangeroustoy for children explains business owner By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff Children may as well be riding ground -base missiles. This is the message being sent across Huron County about miniature motorcycles, know as pocket bikes. The bikes have become a popular item on the roads because you do not need a license to drive them. There is one catch, pocket bikes are not allowed on public roads. • "(Pocket bikes) are unsafe junk," said Andy McMillan, owner of Goderich Power Centre, about the bikes with seats 60 cm off the ground that can travel as fast as 60 km/h. "It's just like buying a chainsaw. That is basically what they are. You are basically giving your kid a chainsaw to play with because they go too fast and are unsafe." McMillan said the bikes are assembled in dubious circumstances, leading to serious safety risks. In some cases, some models have been known to have faulty brakes. "If it is not sold at a (legitimate) bike shop, you have got to be worried," McMillan said, adding parents will get tagged with the fines if their children are stopped by the police. Huron OPP Sr. Const. Don Shropshall said parents have already been hit with fines in Goderich, Clinton and Exeter. Two people in Goderich have been charged for riding pocket bikes on the road, where they are not allowed. In the case of public roads, Shropshall said officers can nail riders for driving without a license, failure to wear a helmet and other Highway Traffic Act violations. If the operator of the pocket bike does not already have a driver's license, these charges can affect them when they chose to get one. The OPP is cracking down. Shropshall said, because "we're looking at potential injuries that could affect the rest of their lives." In one incident, a pocket bike rider drove through a stop sign. Drivers have also complained they cannot see the bikes because they sit so low to the ground. which sells the bikes and repair parts. The site does not explain where the bikes can be ridden, nor does it provide any proof of achieving safety requirements. Pocket Bike Corner claims on their website that all bikes have been certified by Transport Canada. The spokesperson also emphasized the hikes were designed for closed circuit racing. but declined to say whether their customers were informed of this upon purchase. He confirmed that the company receives its merchandise from China. Once onshore, he said, the hikes are rebuilt to meet safety regulations. - "They have to meet certain standards. These are good quality hikes compared to others that arc being sold." According to Transport Canada. to meet their import regulations (which are not related to the North American Motorcycle safety regulations required for a bike to be road -legal) all Pocket Bike Corner bikes have to "bear an indelible bilingual label, affixed in a conspicuous location (usually on the fuel tank), stating 'The vehicle is a competition vehicle and is for use exclusively in closed -course competition."' Transport Canada require this, the name of the manufacturer and a picture of the model in order for a retailer to import the bike. There are no safety requirements relating to the bike itself. Signs parents can look for when purchasing a motor vehicle designed for children are: an orange warning label, registration or serial numbers and the ability attach trail license plates. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, July 13, 2005 - 5 Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company Head Office Exeter, ON NOM ISI 235-0350 • Est. 1876 Residential Farm &Commercial Properties DIRECTORS & ADJUSTERS Jos Chaffs, R.R. 5 Mitchell 3489705 Ron Feeney, R.R. 2 Dublin 3452360 Larry Gardiner, R.R. 2 Statta 345.2678 Jack Hodgert, R.R. 1 Kirkton 229-6152 Michael O'Shea, R.R. 3 Granton 225-2600 Morris Willows, R.R. 2 St. Pauls 393-6548 AGENTS EY'RE HERE! T -Shirts, Sweatshirts & more! Wayne Haw David Moore Jaaph Was Bark Wari m Exeter Dubin Aitclra Staffs 235-1115 3452512 3458012 345-2777 now available at I •p4lcs t •rrJrsl.tsry 12 Moro St Seaforth 527-2055 SEAFORTH 527-0120 EXETER 235-2121 www.teamvincent.com You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church ACovegionSPSholTh h Jarvis eafo Parish Office 527-1522 Sunday, July 1 715 Worship at 9:30 a.m. EVERYONE WELCOME St. James Roman Catholic Church Welcomes you 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am Egmondville United Church Until Sept. 4°' Worship at 10:30 a.m. CLOSED July 17, 24 & 31 Interdenominational Service at Northside United July 31" at 11 a.m. Steve Hildebrand - Lay Pastoral Minister in Training No Sunday School until September EVERYONE WELCOME Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527 0982 SundayWorshipHour 10 am EVERYONE WELCOME NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 54 Goderich St. W. Rev. John Gould No Services During July VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL July 25-29 AS Children Ages 5-12 Welcome Can 519-527-0127 to register ASA P First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth Rev. Henry Huberts Sunday, July 17th Service at 11:15 a.m. Goupt, Ofi[InJIL: All Windshield -Priced Vehicles On S Wednesday to Sunday July 13th to July 17,2001- UjjJoJ sr NUDE SAVINGS! V 9,u vim, 104 9et Ttt Hot Dogs lkLtPop gA4 6114 f' , Cot) Yet 0 a ome Meet the Bull Crew on aturday!. .. 94.5 Bull Morning Crew p'' y! (Cog will be Broadcasting LIVE from under the Big Top from Wednesday to Friday! Every vehicle in -stock comes with your choice of: • Flat Screen TV • BBQ oh,* Cool-a-tron Look for the Giant Tent on Highway 8 across from Canadian Tire! So CoGailvS,... Com Ow Uoww! Hours: 9am-8pm Saturday 9 am - 5 pm Sunday 12-4pm „,„,A.,,, Suncoa , ACL. Arw s'rev a+r- Ford CN�o�ET .E 1 eSQta34 • 524-8347 1-80QG31:164M,024-7314 sf ttisllm„,,, �nanwrE ;