OFF THE WIRE
Massachusetts Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles (MACALM)
Paul Conti
Interesting page I located at Salem PD....BUT take notice of the final
"*" paragraph--that really tells the story behind the story.
http://www.salempd.org/Motorcycle%20Noise%20Awareness.htm
Motorcycle Noise Awareness Program
Enforcement through Awareness and Education
For Immediate Release
Rider education is key to motorcycle noise reduction. Public awareness
programs help with compliance with this issue.
With that in mind, the Salem Police Department, in cooperation with the
Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (M.M.A.) has implemented an
"Enforcement through Awareness and Education" program to help address
the problem of motorcycle noise.
The program includes educating motorcycle riders about excessive and
unnecessary noise as they ride through Salem's many neighborhoods.
Salem Police Officers will be teaming up with representatives of the
M.M.A. and the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Inspectional
Services to help inform riders of the quality-of-life issues loud
motorcycle noise posses to the community. A decibel meter reading will
be offered to motorcycle owners to help determine if their cycle is in
compliance with state law.
Brochures with information concerning the law, health risks and
responsible riding will be distributed to anyone interested*.
* Due to a conflict in the position of the Salem Police Department's
discretion in the enforcement of Massachusetts General Laws concerning
noise and equipment violations, Boston Harley-Davidson withdrew its
support and sponsorship in this program. Unfortunately, this decision
came after the Police Department spend public funds to print several
hundred brochures. Boston Harley-Davidson DOES NOT support the efforts
made in this program.
-------
Larry Deal
That last paragraph:
" Due to a conflict in the position of the Salem Police Department's
discretion in the enforcement of Massachusetts General Laws concerning
noise and equipment violations, Boston Harley-Davidson withdrew its
support and ...sponsorship in this program. Unfortunately, this decision
came after the Police Department spend public funds to print several
hundred brochures. Boston Harley-Davidson DOES NOT support the efforts
made in this program."
What conflict? The Salem Police Department and the MMA's motorcycle
noise "education" brochure gives motorcyclists plenty of discretion to
illegally equip their bikes as they please and make quite a bit of
noise. Why does'nt Boston Haelry-Davidson approve of that?
-----
Anthony Rizzolo
Opposing this more than reasonable program only digs the loud bikers
into a deeper hole. Boston Harley Davidson and those that support them
will have only themselves to blame when public opinion turns toward
stricter laws. It's only a matter of time!
Andy Ford
Efforts to educate loud bikers to behave better don't seem to have
worked very well. The American Motorcyclists Association, the Motorcycle
Riders Foundation and the United Bikers of Maine have been educating
loud riders for years and motor...cycle noise pollution continues to
increase. The best way to educate these loud bikers is for the police to
stop them for riding loud and giving them a ticket for any violations
found. A loud riding ticket should start at $500 and increase with any
subsequent violations. Straight pipes should be a forfeiture item.
