Will the Governator veto the California bill requiring EPA seals on motorcycle exhausts? That's one of the biggest questions on many people's minds at the moment. That it should be an issue at all is a demonstration of ignorance. Let's start with a recap.
Truth
Some motorcycles make too much noise. Admit it, it's a fact. Also, some cars and trucks and airplanes and trains and other vehicles make too much noise. This is true as well.
So the California legislature decided to copy what has been done in several other jurisdictions in recent years, notably Denver, and has passed legislation requiring all motorcycle mufflers to carry the Environmental Protection Agency stamp that certifies it does not exceed noise standards. Thus the waiting to see what Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is a motorcyclist himself, will do.
The ignorance comes in where the proponents of the bill think it will solve the problem. It won't, and Denver again serves as a good example. In a recent CBS News article it was reported that "just 37 tickets were issued in 2007, the law's first year. In 2008, just 4 tickets, and last year 5 tickets. So far this year, no tickets have been issued."
It's a matter of practicality. Generally the stamps on the mufflers are in obscure, out-of-the-way places where a police officer would have to get down on hands and knees, or perhaps lay on the his back on the ground, to spot. It's just not very likely to happen. Plus, OEM mufflers carrying the EPA stamps are not always available for older bikes, and even if they are, why should a biker be subject to ticketing for not having a stamp if the noise the bike makes is not excessive?
In the meantime, laws like this are not needed. Laws already exist limiting noise. All that is really necessary is to enforce the laws already passed, and this is regardless of whether the source of the noise is a motorcycle, a truck, a lawn mower, or anything else. The problem with the California law and others is that they unfairly target motorcycles.
Ignorance
While controlling noise levels is a valid endeavor for cities and other jurisdictions, the people promoting this agenda have been going off the deep end of late, and they often don't worry about getting facts straight.
For instance, on the site for NoiseOFF - The Coalition Against Noise Pollution, they offer this bit of misinformation:
Some riders join motorcycle rights organizations (MROs) that lobby against motorcycle noise legislation. These organizations include the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, and American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). . . . The AMA compromises (sic) over 300,000 members and more than 1,200 chartered clubs, with corporate representation from the motorcycle industry. Through sponsored events and organized campaigns, they mobilize their membership to lobby to defeat motorcycle noise legislation.
First off, the MRF is only involved in national lobbying and they don't get involved in local issues. As for the AMA, all you need to do is check their site and you'll learn that they routinely urge riders to be conscientious with noise, and that what the AMA does oppose is . . . drumroll . . . legislation that unfairly targets motorcycles.
Then of course there is Noise Free America, which recently had this to say about the Sturgis motorcycle rally and South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds:
In reality, the Sturgis event is probably the largest concentration ever of lawbreakers. And Mike Rounds, the governor of South Dakota, gave aid and comfort to this massive lawbreaking.
Is it really that hard to understand? If noise of any kind is a problem, pass laws that limit the noise regardless of the source. And then enforce those laws. Quit singling out motorcycles. The sleeper whose slumber is disturbed doesn't care what caused the noise, they just want the noise stopped. And that includes sleeping motorcyclists.
Comments
Ken,
The smart money says Govinator will sign SB435. This thing started life as the California Motorcycle Smog Check bill (because we have bi-annual smog checks here). But I knew from the get-go it was about noise. How else does a late-50's, non-riding female legislator suddenly get the idea to enforce the law on standard exhaust systems? She probably couldn't hear her cell phone one day because of a cackling big-inch V-twin sitting next to her. ANyway, our friends at ABATE were instrumental in modifying the bill so that it only will impact model year 2013 and later bikes and the fine will only be $25. Good reporting to you, sir.
What about the cars with all the big booming music speakers loaded in their trunk or back seat. When one drives up next to you at a red light, you can't hear your OWN radio because of the booming music in the lane next to you. They even vibrate your car.
I bet only about 1 out of 500 bikes could come close to being that loud.
Sharon
So true! But it is easier to say the noise is coming from motorcycles if you don't really like motorcycles.
Got something to say?
This article is highly ignorant, not surprising as it is authored by a motorcyclist. Yes there are other sources of noise pollution, but for many people including myself motorcycles constitute the vast majority of the problem. We hear virtually no traffic noise, except when warm weather brings out the loud Harley's like flies to shit. We can often hear well over 100 of these illegally equipped vehicles over any activity in our home, in any part of our home - can't hear the buses, trucks, but yes the occasional boom car. Harley assess blast through our neighborhood starting at 5am on weekdays. It often sounds like we have a racetrack nearby instead of the many historical landmarks and national park area, almost entirely due to illegally equipped motorcycles.
Did you actually speak to the Denver PD about the effectiveness of the law requiring EPA stamps, which by the way are required on all motorcycle mufflers sold commercially in the USA. Yes the stamps are sometimes hard to find, but then again not really and there are ways around that which are common sense and employed - what did you find out about that in your intrepid report?
The advertisement from the nearby Harley dealership says it all - Maybe you just want that awesome earth-quaking, window-rattling exhaust that sets off car alarms as you ride on by. Want to make men dive out of the way and women grab their children and head inside and lock the doors? We can help with that too!
As Sharon states the boom cars can be a big problem, and some police departments have started to impound those vehicles. They should do the same with the many illegally equipped motorcycles. One other issue not addressed in this uninformed article is that illegal motorcycles generate more than 80X the air pollution as any SUV.
Not all motorcyclists are irresponsible. It sounds to me that you just hate all of us.
When trains, buses, planes and military vehicles put catalytic converters and mufflers on their vehicles, then so shall I. They need to set the example before I will adhere to them myself. My bikes are loud compared to some but only half as loud as above mentioned car stereo's, mentioned vehicles and especially the Harley crowd who own the loudest bikes I've ever seen except from drag bikes which are not street legal. Mine are loud due to performance modifications not for just your look at me hear me coming crowd. Cops pick on the bikes they don't like, yes I've had them complain about the noise of my bike but not about those chrome recliners cracking and popping down the road with open pipes...ie. no muffler. Sport bikes are picked on due to the amount of speed demons that give us all a bad name, probably the same reaction I have when I see a Harley, think of the correlation to Hoover vacuums, they have the dirt bag on top!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!