Andrew Altenbern
KWWL
Waterloo police have announced that their quality of life initiative for the month of July is loud motorcycles.
Waterloo police say two factors are typically responsible for excessive noise in regards to motorcycles; no muffler or a modified exhaust system and quick acceleration. Officers will use this two-prong test in their enforcement.
According to Dan Trelka, Director of Safety Services, Iowa code 321.436 (Mufflers, prevention of noise) states, "Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise…." The City of Waterloo noise control code prohibits the operation of a motorcycle in excess of 84 decibels (dBA). As a point of reference, each of the following emits sound at a level of about 85 dBA: a running lawn mower, standing curbside in heavy traffic and a running snow blower.
Trelka says that the penalty for operating a motorcycle in an excessively loud manner is $330. Multiple violations increase the penalty amount.
According to Trelka, the American Motorcyclist Association believes that few factors contribute more to prejudice against the motorcycling community than excessively loud motorcycles. He says that the AMA recommends that all motorcyclists should be sensitive to community standards and respect the right of fellow citizens to enjoy a peaceful environment.
