Motorcycle Bill Still Awaits Governor's Signature

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Motorcycle Bill Still Awaits Governor's Signature • Pavley Measure Could Reduce Noise on PCH and Local Canyons BY ANNE SOBLE SB 435, also known as the Motorcycle Anti-Tampering Act, gives law enforcement officials the ability to cite noise pollution violations under the California Vehicle Code, reinforcing federal law that is rarely enforced.
Under the proposed law, motorcyclists pulled over for other traffic violations could also be cited for illegally noisy exhaust pipes and fined $50 to $100 for a first violation—a fix-it ticket that is dismissible with proof of correction. Subsequent offenses would result in fines of $100 to $250.
SB 435 would apply to motorcycles and after-market parts from 2013 models forward.
The bill, which has passed the Assembly, requires Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's signature to become law.
"Noise pollution caused by illegally modified motorcycle exhaust systems is a major quality of life issue across the state," according to SB 435's author, Sen. Fran Pavley, who represents Malibu.
Pavley says, "Many of the modifications, which are aimed at making a bike louder —for example removing the catalytic converter, also make the bike exponentially more polluting. This has direct, measurable and negative impacts on public health."
SB 435 is a watered-down version of a bill first introduced in the Senate in February 2009. The current version focuses on exhaust-pipe-tampering and bikes that exceed the EPA-regulated 80-decibel limit for motorcycles manufactured since 1985.
The Motorcycle Industry Council, the trade association that represents motorcycle manufacturers and parts suppliers, opposes SB 435, as do many biker clubs.