OFF THE WIRE
http://www.edmontonsun.com/2011/06/02/police-set-to-ticket-noisy-motorcycles
Police set to ticket noisy motorcycles
By Claire Theobald ,Edmonton Sun First posted: Thursday, June 2, 2011 7:05:44 MDT PM
Edmonton Police Service Cst. Eric Theuser demonstrates motorcycle exhaust decibel testing, at the EPS Southeast Division Station, 104 Youville Drive East, Thursday June 2, 2011. (DAVID BLOOM/EDMONTON SUN)
Motorcycle fans, start your engines —that is, if they don’t have too much growl.
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is kicking off their second season of bike sound level enforcement by offering bikers free testing clinics to make sure their bikes comply with the Edmonton Community Standards Noise Bylaw.
“If you’re concerned about your motorcycle and how much noise it’s emitting, we’ll be more then happy to test your vehicle, and let you know how you fair,” said Const. Eric Theuser, who is overseeing the noise level program.
The EPS noise level testing program has been expanded since last year, adding another 10 trained officers to the 36 trained last year.
Motorcycles should be less then 92 decibels when idling, and be less the 96 decibels at any speed above idle.
“People that live in certain areas can be subjected to a large amount of noise,” said Theuser, “It’s a big issue.”
Chris Real from DPS technical is in charge of training police officers proper sound testing techniques.
Real said motorcycles with stock factory parts should have no problem with the bylaw, as all on-road bikes are built to certain factory noise standards. The bylaw aims to crack down on bikers with custom exhaust systems that increase the bikes noise.
“The only way they get out of compliance is a deliberate modification, like a racing exhaust installed on an on-road vehicle,” Real said. “This test procedure has been designed around being able to make it simple for the community.”
Raymond Poirier, an Edmonton biker who installed a set of custom exhaust pipes on his motorbike, isn’t worried about the bylaw. He said it only cracks down on bikes that are excessively loud.
“Some bikers just like to make some noise,” said Poirier. “Unfortunately that’s why the law is coming up.”
Poirier said that controlling the level of noise he makes all depends on the way he rides, and on the streets he tries to reman respectful to the rest of the community.
“You might have loud pipes, but you can keep them at a normal level if you want,” Poirier said.
For bikers who choose not to comply, there is a hefty fine of $250 for a first offence, and a $500 fine for a second offence. A third offence will result in a court appearance.
EPS is holding free testing clinics at NAIT’s South Campus on June 4 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bikers can have their motorcycles tested for noise compliance before the EPS kicks off their ticketing season.
