More noise from Canada

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/Toning+down+rumble/3146648/story.html Toning down rumble
The StarPhoenix June 12, 2010
Saskatoon could take a lesson from the Alberta capital when it comes to trying to manage the sound of the street.
Edmonton in early June passed a bylaw that imposes a fine of $250 on riders caught with modified motorcycle exhaust systems that blast at levels above the standards developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Police will test the bikes for decibel thresholds when they're idled or operating at various revolutions per minute.
According to the Edmonton Journal, the vote came after years of study and debate, and is thought to make the Alberta city the first North American jurisdiction with motorcycle noise limits. The idea isn't to trample the rights of bikers.
There is no good reason, except for the vanity of riders, that these bikes should be modified. Yet there is good reason they should not. In an urban environment, there needs to be accommodation of fellow citizens. This shouldn't have to be regulated by law but that citizens across North American are regularly shocked awake in the middle of the night or forced to halt conversations until a motorcyclist leaves the vicinity.
Cities have noise bylaws for that very reason, but they are difficult to apply to people in purposely loud vehicles.
Saskatoon should jump on the anti-noise bylaw if, for no other reason than to support the efforts of Edmonton's lawmakers and enforce the notion that motorcyclists have a duty to their neighbours. Edmonton has also launched a program to study ways to control other urban sound pollution -- from cars, buses, trucks and presumably domestic machinery such as lawn mowers. Saskatoon should offer to join that study as well.
It would demonstrate that this isn't just about bikers.