Quieting motorcycle noise requires grassroots effort

MORE BULLSHIT ABOUT MOTORCYCLE NOISE
Friday, June 04, 2010
Amid the noise of man-made disaster, an ongoing troubled economy and a never-ending war, the sounds of concerns over motorcycle noise in Calistoga can seem like, well, just more noise.

That is, until one considers the real physical effects that motorcycle noise and other forms of sound pollution have on our lives and, some allege, on property values.

Motorcycles unquestionably symbolize the freedom of the American spirit and are enjoyable, purposeful machines when operated properly and with respect for others.

More and more frequently, Calistoga, and the rural Napa Valley overall, is becoming a place where motorcycle riders — bikers in the common vernacular — love to tour, sometimes in large numbers as clubs.

It’s when riders decide to modify their machines by removing or modifying the muffler tailpipes to produce louder noise that they virtually destroy the peaceful environment they’ve come here enjoy in the first place.

Intense roaring and vibration noises travel long distances, through windows and walls, to intrude into everyone’s private space. While those who live in larger populations may be acclimated to a constant stream of noise, the sudden and more frequent rumble of large numbers of motorcycles can be nerve-shattering to adults and a blight on communities.

While most of those involved in a recent meeting between a few concerned citizens, local lawmakers and those sworn to enforce the law agree the meeting produced little in terms of tangible results, most did come away with the notion that something should be done — like changing the laws.

Certain federal laws already prohibit excessive motorcycle noise, but over the years they have seen a loss of enforcement funding, pushing them by default onto back burners nationwide.

To begin, the Environmental Protection Agency certifies acceptable noise emissions for motorcycle exhaust systems of about 80 decibels, through labeling of chassis and exhaust pipes for street-legal use that is enforceable by police.

Law enforcement — especially in areas where departments are already overworked and understaffed — needs the public’s help to get a handle on quieting things down a bit. To that end, more and more citizens are aiming to take back control of the noise levels of their communities by using a host of tools that start with proving noise issues exist.

The virtually universal reasoning riders use to justify loud pipes on motorcycles is that “loud pipes save lives,” but there exists no “study on record or correlation between the noise level a motorcycle and its ability to reduce accidents,” according to the Coalition Against Noise Pollution, a group of citizens, elected representatives, researchers, law enforcement professionals and other activists dedicated to fighting noise pollution on several levels, from factories to motorcycles.

Through regular meetings, raising public awareness, lobbying elected officials, posting fliers informing bikers that excessive noise will get them cited by law enforcement and learning about individual rights as citizens to peace and quiet in our homes and neighborhoods, change can be effected. All that, though, takes a lot of time and work.

Raising public awareness begins here. There are many issues that need to be addressed by the public, and many people feel that noise, especially from motorcycles, is the least important of public safety issues. If you feel otherwise, send us a note. We’ll share it with readers and if a problem exists, the community can work together to quiet things down.

Additionally, anyone with Internet access can browse the Coalition Against Noise Pollution website, www.noiseoff.com, to learn ways to determine if an issue exists and ways to mitigate concerns.