MMA Information Update - AGO Rejects Falmouth Town Warrant regarding Motorcycle Sound Enforcement

OFF THE WIRE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MMA Information Update - AGO Rejects Falmouth Town Warrant regarding Motorcycle Sound Enforcement

The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association is pleased to announce to its membership that the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office has denied the recent Town of Falmouth Noise Ordinance concerning increasing penalties pertaining to sound emissions from Motorcycles.

In early April, Falmouth heard numerous warrants in their annual town meeting across 3 nights, and hastily enacted a “Loud Vehicles ByLaw” as written in Article 25 of the Town Meeting Warrant. The very limited number of motorcyclists in attendance were unable to fend off the adoption of this Bylaw which lifts verbiage directly from Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90, Section 16 (90-16) and increased the fines while in the process.

Realizing that the ordinance could not become law without approval by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO), the MMA next took its case directly to that office re-stating its opposition to this legislation due to the subjective nature used to decide if your motorcycle is legal and the various other elements of conflict with the MGL.

After significant review by the AGO denied the bylaw amendment for all the reasons previously argued by the MMA and its members who were in attendance at the town meeting.

The MMA expresses its appreciation to the riders of Falmouth who were vigilant in their opposition, and to the Attorney General’s Office for their extreme diligence and careful review of the facts.

The MMA also extends its request to its members and all Motorcyclists to ride with respect in local communities by ensuring they are riding with mufflers pursuant to the MGL and are keeping the throttle down.

For More Information, see http://www.massmotorcycle.org or contact LegislativeDirector@MassMotorcycle.org

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