Motorcycle Exhaust Laws Defeated

[Buzz Kanter]

MOTORCYCLE EXHAUST NOISE LAWS DEFEATED
The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association has announced that a proposed noise ordinance in North Reading, MA that would have required an EPA Stamp on motorcycle exhaust systems and stricter noise controls has been defeated.

Prior to a recent meeting of town Selectmen, MMA Chairman Dave Condon met with MMA Member Bill McGarry, a local resident, to review the warrant and the pertinent Massachusetts laws. During an earlier town meeting, the
legality of the EPA stamp requirement was discussed in detail and ultimately
dropped, but an alternative proposal was amended into the Warrant which
would have made noise levels and testing requirements stricter than those
currently in Massachusetts General Law (MGL).

With significant support from McGarry, who attended both public hearings and
spoke on behalf of the MMA and motorcyclists across Massachusetts, the
Selectmen and North Reading Chief of Police recognized that the town cannot
impose laws stricter than the Commonwealth -- instead, the town acknowledged that enforcement of the existing MGL coupled with appropriate education could be a far more effective tool, and by vote of the selectmen the warrant was removed from the town agenda.

Meanwhile, following much lobbying and testimony from local bikers, a hotly
debated noise ordinance in Portland, Maine was unanimously rejected by the
City Council and sent back to the Public Safety Committee for more work.

The proposal would have enforced the federal law that all motorcycles made
after Dec. 31, 1982 must have mufflers with an EPA label certifying the
exhaust system meets EPA standards. A biker riding a motorcycle within city
limits without an EPA sticker on the muffler would have been fined $50. The
ordinance would have been the first of its kind in Maine, and supporters
said its adoption would have made it easier to pass a similar state law.

Opponents, including the United Bikers of Maine (UBM), said the measure
would discriminate against motorcyclists and could cost the city tourism
dollars by discouraging motorcyclists from visiting Portland.

Motorcycle noise continues to be a contentious and controversial issue
across the country, with places like Boston and New York contemplating
stricter laws.

[unfknblvbl]

I cringe every time I cross the Coronado bridge and roll into Coronado, CA. They have strict laws on noise pollution, don't know if motorcycles are included in that, but I do know that I don't want any unnecessary tickets.

[DamageInc537]

Just a heads up the Boston city council DID pass a very simillar ordinance, except with a $300 fine. Its Not being enforced at the moment, untill the court appeals are finished. In the March 2010 Motorcyclists Post newspaper (Home Page) an article by Bill Gannon of Quincy Mass it is stated that 91% of stock motorcycle exhaust systems do not have the EPA sticker visable, including Police motorcycles. for more information please check out Justice Riders Committee MA or Boston Biker - New England's Source of Motorcycle News & Info

Im sure that a lot of other areas are watching this closely to see if they can enact it in their localities across the country.

[83XLX]

This wouldn't be happening if the first accessory many motorcycle owners bought wasn't drag pipes or something equally obnoxious. I'm all for opening up the exhaust a little, but straight pipes are just asking for the public to pressure their elected officials to pass reactionary noise ordinances.

[Dyna0996]

Thanks for news clip Buzz. I guess I always wonder whats wrong with the laws already in effect.

[wideglidebill]

whats wrong with the laws already in affect is that someone (we) are having fun with our bikes and they can't stand it!

[MONTY]

Originally Posted by 83XLX

This wouldn't be happening if the first accessory many motorcycle owners bought wasn't drag pipes or something equally obnoxious. I'm all for opening up the exhaust a little, but straight pipes are just asking for the public to pressure their elected officials to pass reactionary noise ordinances.

Absolutely - this issue always seems to polarise people, with some folks effectively saying they don't give a damn about anyone else, they'll do what they want. But grown-ups know that doesn't work! No man is an island, and if you abuse what freedoms you have, you'll end up loosing them; this is true for anyone, but particularly for a minority like us bikers who can't even play the race card to defend ourselves.
Like XLX, i'm all for letting the bike breath a bit better, but it makes sense to be reasonable with other people who may not appreciate the sound the way we do - all it takes is a combination of being reasonable with your modifications and having a bit of sensitivity in your riding style ... as opposed to taking childish delight in deliberately irritating people, which just screws things up for everyone.