I'm a fan of what is colloquially called a wheelie. It's a feat that, while I can do occasionally, I'm not exactly good at. But those who can wheelie on command, on dirt, or even on ice, they have my utmost respect and admiration. It's why I love talking to Aaron Colton.
That said, in most places, popping a wheelie on a public road is a surefire way of receiving a big-fat ticket or going all Monopoly, meaning go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200. And Kansas City is looking to become the next city to outlaw wheelies, both for motorcycles, ATVs, and weirdly, cars.
Yeah, you read that right.
According to KSHB41 out of Kansas City, the city council will consider a new city rule that would prohibit wheelies, or as the proposed ordinance puts it, "prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with less than all wheels of the motor vehicle in constant contact with the ground." Note that it doesn't specifically specify motorcycles or ATVs, which means it'd include cars and trucks, too.
Does KC have a Funny Car problem?
The outlet reports that Councilman Wes Rogers introduced the new ordinance in December, but now has to go before the group's Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee this month. As for the why, the amended ordinance states it "seeks to prohibit dangerous driving behaviors to improve public safety."
Likewise, it describes what penalties those found guilty of going all 12 o'clock boi would face. For first-time offenders, "Any person found guilty of violating this section shall be punished by imprisonment not to exceed 180 days or by a fine of not less than $250.00 nor more than $1,000.00, or by both such imprisonment and fine."
Repeat offenders, however, will face "Subsequent violations under this subsection, upon conviction, shall be punished by either a term of shock imprisonment for a period of forty-eight hours or by a term of community service as determined by the municipal judge in proportion to the severity of the violation committed. Violations shall also be punished by a fine of not less than $750.00 and not more than $1000.00, or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or by punished by both fine and imprisonment."
The council group will decide whether or not to adopt the new ordinance later this month, but if you're in KC and this passes, maybe don't pass any cops with your front wheel off the ground. Just a friendly suggestion.
