It has been proposed to equate pit bikes to motorcycles, extending the same traffic rules to them. The initiative was put forward by Valery Fadeev, head of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights (SPCh).
According to him, a pit bike is practically no different from a motorcycle, and the distinction is merely a play on terms. This vehicle is often used by teenagers, putting their lives at risk. When asked about the need for legislative amendments, Fadeev replied that pit bikes should be regulated in the same way as motorcycles.
Another fatal incident occurred the day before in the Moscow region. In Odintsovo, a 16-year-old boy riding a pit bike lost control and overturned. A fifteen-year-old passenger was run over by a truck driving nearby and died on the spot. The regional prosecutor's office is conducting an investigation.
Equating pit bikes to motorcycles means mandatory licenses, registration, and full owner responsibility. Currently, such vehicles formally remain outside conventional regulation, which allows teenagers to ride them without training.
A pit bike is a type of mini-motorcycle suitable for off-road (motocross) or road riding, depending on the configuration.