With the return warm weather and open windows, painfully loud motorcycles are also back, and seem to be worse than ever. Living downtown, I’m used to my apartment filling with noise from the logging trucks and ambulances that frequently pass by, but the level of nuisance from some of the motorcycles lately is at another level. Last Monday, one was so loud it left a trail of car alarms going off in its wake.
Massachusetts, and many other states, have laws on decible limits for motorcycles. Why not have some kind of local ordinance or state law in Vermont? Sons of Anarchy was a great tv show, but unfortunately, I think we now have all these people thinking that driving a loud Harley makes them Jax. They might need someone to remind them SOA is a completely unrealistic, fictional show, their bike does not sound cool, no one’s impressed, and they’re just being obnoxious. I like motorcycles too, but it’s possible to enjoy them without making everyone else hope it’s you in the next fatal motorcycle accident they read about in the Reformer.
An arrogance of assumption
I’m glad someone called attention to this. Behind the cycle noise sits an arrogance of assumption that it is okay to be a nuisance.
Similar for me last year when
Similar for me last year when I lived on Main St. Loud pipes save lives, or so the saying goes. No person or law is going to get bikers to change their exhaust for a quieter one in Vermont. then you need decibel readers in every police car in the state. Who pays for that? I have a nice quiet pipe on my bike, purrs like a kitten. No idea why you would mention hoping someone dies on a motorcycle. That’s sick.
decibel readers
I have a DB meter app on my cell phone. Didn’t cost me anything.
Cheap Fix
Hi Tomaidh,
You make a good point about the cost of dB readers. Not exactly space age technology. I imagine the police would need ones with more accuracy than a free app for their case to hold up in court, but the cost is not going to be astronomical. They start at $20 on Amazon, and the fanciest model by a reputable manufacturer, the Extech 407780, can be had for $1150. Any initial expense could be offset by a few hefty fines, and would be a drop in the bucket compared to the billions being spent on militarizing the police. While local LE might not get the same federal grants, it’s doable. Plenty of places already use dB meters, even our neighbors in “Live Free or Die” NH. Their successes and failures can be used to guide effective implementation here.
http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/08/01/calgary-cops-hitting-the-road-with-their-new-noise-busting-gear-but-noise-may-be-the-least-of-it
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130602/NEWS07/130609919
Loud noises and peace
As Chris said, I think the main problem is that by the time you call the police to report that your windows have been shaken by the Harley with straight pipes, the Harley with Straight pipes is long gone, or at least, impossible to find.
I suppose that they could nail a few of them when they sit out waiting for speeders.
Part of my personal solution is to breathe. I mean, it used to make me so angry when bozos had their fun making as much noise as possible, busting up the peace on my other wise quiet street.
I don’t like being angry. There seems little chance of fixing the problem. I try now to fix the problem by letting go. It actually has done me much good.
Really?
You say “loud pipes save lives.” The most egregious offenders I see in town often wear the bare minimum of protective gear, and lack a single piece of high visibility clothing. After riding skill, those are the two most important factors for avoiding serious injury (advocated by instructors in my VREP course a few years ago). If you truly believe the people riding Harley’s down Main St wearing dark street clothing are producing triple digit dB levels to save lives, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
You also say that no law is going to change how loud people’s motorcycles are going to be, as if it’s some insurmountable task. There’s plenty of places that already have laws on motorcycle noise, and guess what? They make a difference. Parts of Europe, Japan and even states in the US have laws that resulted in quieter motorcycles.
Not everyone is going to follow every law 100% of the time, but as long as most people do most of the time, those laws make a difference. If people knew they were going to get hit with massive fines, potential jail time and vehicle impoundment for making too much noise with their motorcycles, the percentages of incredibly loud ones will go down. It works with cars- the vast majority of the time, when people fail inspection for something they weren’t going to fix, they cough up the money to get it fixed, instead of risking getting pulled over, fined, towed and arrested. There’s no reason it can’t work with motorcycles, it only takes two things:
1) Adequate laws on the books to regulate noise
2) Consistent enforcement of those laws
Loud pipes save lives is a
Loud pipes save lives is a common refrain with motorcycle riders. And you know what? It’s truth, I’ve used my engine noise to alert motorists that I am approaching many times. When on a motorcycle you spend a lot more time looking at drivers, and see them drinking coffee, futzing with the radio or texting as they proceed through intersections. A quick blip of the throttle will wake them up and get them back to focusing on the road.
I’m not arguing for jerks on cruisers with super-loud pipes screwing with people for the heck of it. There are a lot of those people around during the summer. Being visible on a bike is the most important thing. Unfortunate that some people limit their efforts to loud exhaust pipes. I wear a jacket with bright reflective yellow on it, but if a driver is texting, it doesn’t matter what color my jacket is, they’ll only respond to revving the engine or slightly weaving in my lane (they see the headlight flash and that wakes them up too).
If people in cars paid more attention to bikers, we wouldn’t have to rev our engines to be safe. Until that happens, this is going to be a stalemate. Police don’t pull people over for inspection sticker violation in the state, and people expect them to ticket bikers riding through our town? Never gonna happen.
Valid Points
Hi Dave,
You take both sides into consideration with your reply, and I can see where you’re coming from. You addressed the discussion points with fairness and thoughtfulness. I appreciate that you’re one of the conscientious bikers out there. It’s a shame that the actions of some give the rest a bad name. I don’t literally wish death upon anyone for the noise, but it is one of those things that can make people really upset. I don’t mind hearing it occasionally out in public, but not being able to keep the windows open when I’m trying to rest and relax in my own home can lead to serious resentment.
Btw, like you, I’ve also had cars try to turn into me while riding, so I understand the danger. It’s scary how often cars don’t see you, but the danger can also be part of the thrill, and is implicitly accepted on every ride. For practical, relatively safe transportation, I drive my car.
I think it would be helpful to hear the perspectives and experience from a BPD officer. I think very highly of them, and believe they are very dedicated in responding to the needs of the community. The NH news article I linked to in this thread cites the difficulty enforcing their motorcycle noise laws, despite having dB meters and specific regulation on dB levels. Many others have reported the same. When BPD says it’s currently difficult to enforce, they’re telling the truth. In case there’s anyone from BPD reading, do you think it’s feasible? If so, what equipment would help (specific dB meters, etc), and how could our laws be worded to make it enforceable? Also, what’s your take on the factors, individuals or groups interfering with enforcement? Thanks to everyone for sharing their thoughts.
Brattleboro Has Noise Ordinance
We do have noise ordinances in town – boom cars and all that. I think part of the problem of enforcing is that the offenses are somewhat fleeting. By the time someone calls in to report it, it’s long gone. It has to be caught in the act. I don’t recall any grants being applied for to enhance noise enforcement.
…
I recently witnessed a pair of guys on semi-loud, but not too loud, bikes come down the street.
A neighbor waved at them to caution them about the noise. That trigged some sonic super-boost of their engines, suddenly revved to a crackling, military-jet level for the rest of their ride down the street.
From the noise perspective, it was extreme and worthy of citation. From a “mind your own business” F.U point of view, it was somewhat humorous, as it only lasted a few seconds, no one was hurt, and was quite obviously a message that “hey, we were being sort of quiet, see?”
Sonic terrorism
TechFan, I’m also glad you posted this. The impact on the nervous system of loud noise pollution like this is quite profound on everybody, especially for infants and toddlers and also the elderly. Believe it our not, it has an enormous detrimental effect on our cardiovascular system. And that’s probably not just specific to human beings.
I’d love to see a campaign to start recognizing and protecting the soundscapes of Vermont in general. I think we need to begin to think about our sound environment as a sacred element, like we do in a movie theater. Imagine one of these totally insecure motorcycle dudes (I’m not talking about the ones that purr like a cat) in a movie theater as you are making immature vroom, vroom noises and blotting out the sound of the movie. Man, they would freak out and really so would anybody.
In reality, we are gradually replacing and blotting out our soundscapes with robotic noises, machine sonic terror, and this thunderous herd of the infantile (my apologies to the infants, those beautiful babes). Most of the time we barely notice this. That’s progress, right? Sometimes it just really seems as if we are embarrassed to be living on this planet.
Imagine the world if we really honored and respected the Earjewj]op…Oh lord, another ear splitting motor madness just went by and I just lost my train of thought. Oh well…
Hey, I love the post about “Ugh (Loud Motorcycles)” but let’s do something. I have a few ideas and maybe I’ll even share them in a bit. Curious to hear what others have to say…
Homeland Security Grant
Hi Dave,
You’re phrasing of the issue as “sonic terrorism” is brilliant. That could be the perfect argument for getting a federal Homeland Security Department grant to fight it. DHS approved Keene’s request for a military grade armored personal truck after their application argued “their terrorism threat is far reaching, and often unforseen,” and cited as a target, “an annual pumpkin festival.” If Keene can get $286,000 for a vehicle to combat pumkinfest terrorism, we deserve at least something for sonic terrorism. I’m completely serious about their wording on the application btw, that actually happened:
http://www.politifact.com/new-hampshire/statements/2014/aug/20/john-oliver/right-there-application/
Police Won't Enforce!
I’m developing a very thin skin around this issue. We have a right to walk down the streets of Brattleboro in peace and relative quiet.
I have been after the Brattleboro Police for years to enforce the noise laws with respect to motorcycles. In the past, they have claimed to be unable to enforce them. In my opinion their argument doesn’t hold water. In some jurisdictions all you need to be able to enforce the noise ordinance is a broomstick handle, which you run up inside the pipes or mufflers of a bike. If it slides in as far as the curve in the pipe, the cyclist is running straight pipes with no mufflers — as is usually the case around here with Harleys, etc. — and should be cited as in violation of the noise ordinance and disturbing the peace.
Motorcycle riders are not some sort of special class of people who can do whatever they want. Our police should stop violators and ticket them. Repeat violations should result in the impounding of the offending machine.
Wouldn't the motorcycle have
Wouldn’t the motorcycle have to be at a standstill for any police officer to try the “broomstick” test? (assuming law enforcement officers in any jurisdiction are carrying broom sticks around with them). I imagine the difficulty in enforcing any noise ordinance is – as already stated on this thread- the fact that the offenders ride down the street and are gone. Certainly long before the police could get to wherever they are. Should there be a police chase to pull these bikers over? Should additional officers be posted on either end of Main Street in case some noisy bikes come through town? Life is noisy now- even in a bucolic little town like Brattleboro. I live on a street parallel to Main Street which is used by many vehicles of all types as a shortcut to avoid the traffic on Main Street. I certainly don’t get to live in the peaceful, quiet neighborhood that I envisioned when I moved here to get away from the noise and traffic of Boston. When the new co-op was being built there was constant eardrum shattering noise happening every day- jackhammers; explosions to break through stone, big pieces of construction equipment. That was horrible and lasted for what seemed like an endless amount of time. Yet people survived it. I’m not sure anything productive can be done about noisy motorcycles or cars with no mufflers or emergency vehicles with sirens blaring. Personally I’d rather walk down Main Street and listen to loud motorcycles driving through town than be constantly assaulted by other people’s cigarette smoke. Both of them are damaging to people’s well being -one much more insidious than the other.
Kris' sense of being unsure
“Personally I’d rather walk down Main Street and listen to loud motorcycles driving through town than be constantly assaulted by other people’s cigarette smoke. Both of them are damaging to people’s well being -one much more insidious than the other.”
The point to which reckless people crosses bounds of the disregard for other’s safety and tranquility is frequently put to the test. Kris’ sense of being unsure that “anything productive can be done” is the central letdown.
I am writing this as the unwanted, bitter cigarette smoke of my neighbor’s first cigarette has already polluted my breathing space to dangerous levels.
Noise and cigarettes are pollution and a question of the broader interests of public safety.
Well, Duh
“Wouldn’t the motorcycle have to be at a standstill for any police officer to try the ‘broomstick’ test?”
I guess that’s a rhetorical question.
“Should there be a police chase to pull these bikers over? Should additional officers be posted on either end of Main Street in case some noisy bikes come through town?”
Those too.
If enough people complain, the police will enforce the ordinance. Why should I pay the cost of losing my hearing and having the fillings rattled out of my teeth for the police to get away with not enforcing the noise ordinance? I’m on the Town Finance Committee …. we pay the police lots and lots of money to enforce our laws. They’re not doing a good job here. In fact, they’re not doing anything at all in this case.
Oh … I use your “parallel” street quite often, in my nice, quiet car.
The coop construction noise was permitted — the construction people had to apply for that time-delimited permit. The muffler-less motorcyclists are breaking the law in a most onerous fashion, and there is no end in sight unless the law is enforced.
But kalden, if, as you say, you prefer to walk through town and listen to loud motorcycles, that’s your prerogative … if the noise laws remain unenforced, I’m sure there are going to be quite a number of days this summer when you will have the opportunity to do just that.
In the end, the Declaration of Independence provides us with what will probably prevail: “… mankind is more inclined to suffer while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed …”
I personally regard the hugely loud straight-pipe noise as egregious and insufferable. Reader, do you? Maybe not. More likely, though, you’re afraid to stick your neck out on the issue.
Nope...not rhetorical.
Actually, they were not rhetorical questions. You stated that the “broom stick” test was being used by some places. Obviously the police would have to pull the driver over to administer this test, right? As for the other 2 questions- you seem to feel that the police are not doing what they should be to stop the noisy bikes. Well, what should they be doing? Do you have a plan that they could implement so that the motorcycles weren’t 5 miles away before the police get to wherever they were being excessively loud? What is the solution? More cops? That means more taxes. Having some of the current force just be in charge of noisy bikers? What happens to the rest of the town if a police officer is needed. With all the things that need fixing in this town noisy bikes is, I imagine, and should be -at least in my mind – pretty close to the bottom of the list.
I never said that I would prefer to walk through town listening to overly loud motorcycles ( or any vehicle, for that matter).As I’ve stated before I don’t need you or anyone to put words in my mouth -I’m more than capable of expressing myself. What I said was that I’d rather walk down Main Street and have to hear noisy bikes than walk down Main Street being forced to breathe in the hundreds of toxic chemicals in every person’s cigarette. I’ve never had to stop and pull out an inhaler when a motorcycle goes by. Is a noisy bike annoying? Sure. But, as I said previously, it’s a noisy world we live in. Before the police start using their resources to fine a few bikers I’d like the town to institute a no smoking law so that people can sit on a bench in Pliny Park and grab a few rays without being poisoned by a smoker,
Between the two..
I agree, between the two, cigarettes are ‘astronomically more’ insidious, dangerous to our general welfare, dangerous to our whole earth environment and a damn smelly nuisance to boot.
Cycles rush by, as does their noise and fumes, and yes a damn nuisance to boot.
Some chutzpah needed
John, Love the words “more likely, though, you’re afraid to stick your neck out on the issue.” That’s really the heart of the matter. So many of us like to rant or wax about things like this. There’s lots of kvetching and noodling and very little chutzpah. I know, sometime I do it, too.
So, I have some ideas of how to create a public movement and do it safely. I’d love to experiment with some simple actions to help get folks in town get involved in a creative way and anonymous way. I’d love to talk with you, John, about this if you are interested, or anyone else for that matter.
Loud Pipes
As a motorcyclist myself I can’t imagine having to listen to open pipes all day long on an enjoyable ride in the country. To some degree I understand the want for a more open exhaust to get some more power out of the engine but don’t feel the need to “wake the dead” with my motorcycle. I find it kinda funny that it’s almost become stereotypical of certain riders to do that to their bike.
How many times have you seen the rider of a BMW with an open exhaust. And certainly a lot of those sport touring’s get way more mileage on them than your average Harley. Why is it that BMW rider’s are willing to risk the odd’s and not feel that loud pipes save lives?
Second amendment solution.
I live at Elliot and Elm, and the view from my balcony takes in all of Elliot up to Main.
I was cleaning up my balcony when a couple of biker-goons roared up Elm hill. They both turned right on Elliot and gunned their engines. They had to be doing 60 by the time they reached Harmony lot. For a brief moment, I wished my broom was something more lethal.
The Culture of Motorcycle Brands
Mr. Mike, good observation. Personally I could care less if I ever ride on a Harley-Davidson, and if I never saw one again, I’d be fine with it. But before I die, I would like very much to own a BMW RT touring motorcycle. They are pretty quiet. But of course not as quiet as, say, a Prius. If they built one that quiet, I would be interested.
It sometimes seems to me that the Harleys are symptomatic, and indicative, of a culture of punishment and violence. And that the Police don’t enforce the noise ordinances because they … well … you do the math.
I hope someday that we can all get where we want to go, as fast as we want to go there, in true peace and quiet, and without destroying the environment upon which we depend for our very lives.
But to some people, a motorcycle is just a motorcycle.
Quiet Motorcycles
Quote: ” If they built one that quiet, I would be interested.”
They do! Here’s a link to one of them:
http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/
Culture Clash
“It sometimes seems to me that the Harleys are symptomatic, and indicative, of a culture of punishment and violence” Really? You want to paint the thousands of Harley owners/riders with one small minded brush? How many people do you actually know who ride Harleys? Are they violent? Cruel?
Or are there perhaps many, many people who ride Harleys who are physicians; teachers. architects; judges, social workers, police officers?
Perhaps there are Harley riders who make cross country charity rides every year for sick and dying children; to raise money for animal shelters and food pantries. What do you actually know about the “culture” of motorcycle clubs? Do you think they all are ‘Punishing and violent’? If you saw 2 riders on Main Street and one was on a Harley and one was on a Kawasaki would you assume the Kawasaki rider was a more decent person? What about if he revved his engine loud enough to make your teeth tremble? Would he then fall into the category of punishment and violence? It’s never a good idea to make assumptions about a group of people – particularly when you don’t actually seem to know very much about them or their culture.
Hi John,Thank you for your
Hi John,
Thank you for your willingness to talk to BPD about a possible solution. If they’re receptive to it, that would be wonderful, and I’m sure many would be grateful to you.
It’s too bad they don’t make more quiet motorcycles, it can certainly be an exhilarating experience. In Japan, manufacturers like Ducati comply with noise regulations by sending much quieter versions of the same models sold everywhere else, so you wouldn’t need to resort to spending more on a BMW or electric model to get what you’re seeking.
Just another form of pollution
Personally, I equate the obnoxious irresponsible bike rider with the obnoxious irresponsible pet owner who allows his critter to mess on my lawn and then walks off without picking it up. Just another form of pollution.
pretty sick of the motorcycles
I recently moved to the Abbott building and they go right by and its deafening