Loud Motorcycle Exhausts Targeted
- added July 2, 2008
- 1 response
-
-
-
- stopnoise
- added this
-
-
- related topics
-
- Earth and Science (11739)
- Crime (1549)
- Global Warming (1460)
- Current Radio News (1098)
- Acoustic Pollution (103)
- Public (77)
- SFPD (57)
- Anti Social Behaviour (19)
- SFPC (11)
Citations vowed for modified bikes
The sheriff in Kenosha County has a message for motorcycle riders who violate state law by modifying their exhaust systems to make them louder: Pipe down or pay up.
“This has been around in the books for a long time, but it’s one of those laws we’ve kind of turned a deaf ear to,” said Sheriff David Beth. “Now I want to open that deaf ear.”
The sheriff said he only hopes to “give a little peace” to those living on major streets who have to hear some of the area’s 8,600 registered motorcycles rev their engines.
“Owning a bike does not trump anyone else’s ability to be outside,” he said.
Starting last weekend, Beth pledged to have deputies more strongly enforce the state law that reads, “No person shall modify the exhaust system of any such motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted.” Riders must pay $186 per citation.
Beth added that he doesn’t buy the “loud pipes save lives” argument that noise improves safety by alerting others that a motorcycle is coming.
“Most of the noise is actually behind the motorcycle,” he said.
Milwaukee Harley Owners Group director Rick Borowski, who owns just one of Milwaukee County’s 26,764 registered motorcycles, said he would sooner fight a citation than replace the factory-made, slightly louder Screaming Eagles pipes he installed on his bike. But he said completely removing mufflers for the loudest bike possible “is uncalled for.”
A Harley without any modifications has a rating of about 80 decibels, slightly louder than a vacuum cleaner.
“I think it’s time for this small group of bike owners to follow the rules like the 99% of the ones who do,” Beth said.
Kenosha sheriff’s department public information officer Gil Benn said offenders are “fairly obvious,” and the department has already received multiple calls and e-mails expressing support for the initiative.
Beth said he will have no problem keeping that initiative up during Harley’s 105th anniversary festivities, when riders from around the country likely will be traveling through his county.
...
By ALEX LUNDY
alundy@journalsentinel.com
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=768178
The sheriff in Kenosha County has a message for motorcycle riders who violate state law by modifying their exhaust systems to make them louder: Pipe down or pay up.
“This has been around in the books for a long time, but it’s one of those laws we’ve kind of turned a deaf ear to,” said Sheriff David Beth. “Now I want to open that deaf ear.”
The sheriff said he only hopes to “give a little peace” to those living on major streets who have to hear some of the area’s 8,600 registered motorcycles rev their engines.
“Owning a bike does not trump anyone else’s ability to be outside,” he said.
Starting last weekend, Beth pledged to have deputies more strongly enforce the state law that reads, “No person shall modify the exhaust system of any such motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted.” Riders must pay $186 per citation.
Beth added that he doesn’t buy the “loud pipes save lives” argument that noise improves safety by alerting others that a motorcycle is coming.
“Most of the noise is actually behind the motorcycle,” he said.
Milwaukee Harley Owners Group director Rick Borowski, who owns just one of Milwaukee County’s 26,764 registered motorcycles, said he would sooner fight a citation than replace the factory-made, slightly louder Screaming Eagles pipes he installed on his bike. But he said completely removing mufflers for the loudest bike possible “is uncalled for.”
A Harley without any modifications has a rating of about 80 decibels, slightly louder than a vacuum cleaner.
“I think it’s time for this small group of bike owners to follow the rules like the 99% of the ones who do,” Beth said.
Kenosha sheriff’s department public information officer Gil Benn said offenders are “fairly obvious,” and the department has already received multiple calls and e-mails expressing support for the initiative.
Beth said he will have no problem keeping that initiative up during Harley’s 105th anniversary festivities, when riders from around the country likely will be traveling through his county.
...
By ALEX LUNDY
alundy@journalsentinel.com
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=768178
Login/Registration is required to add a response.
