I take offense to the Sun Journal's May 4 article, "Police to motorcylists: Be quiet."
I am a 64-year-old tax-paying retiree who owns and rides a motorcycle. The article discriminated against law-abiding motorcyclists who ride to live greener and save gas, and for relaxation, recreation and socialization.
I certainly hope motorcyclists are not being targeted as spring and summer pass. It offends me greatly that the article planted a seed in people's minds with the assumption that motorcyclists will be tearing up the roads and disturbing the peace.
Yes, there are a small number of hotshots who give the rest of us a bad name, but most motorcyclists are law-abiding and tremendous fund raisers for various charities in the area and in the state of Maine.
Funny, there was no mention about other issues which greatly disturb my peace as spring and summer approach and I open my windows for fresh air.
Let's see: high-volume leaf blowers, sand brushes and lawn mowers that operate for hours on end.
Can I also mention speeding vehicles that use my street as a shortcut? Many of those individuals don't even live on my street and their speed increases in spring and summer, putting the people and children in my neighborhood in danger.
How about barking dogs left outside unattended or cared for by their owners?
Now, how can I ask the kind police officer to issue a citation for those intrusions on my peace and quiet?
Alfreda Fournier, Auburn
Editor's note: The above-referenced article was about LD 477, signed into law last May, that allows police officers to stop and issue citations to drivers for having loud exhaust.

A. Fournier: Put blame where it belongs
Alfreda 20:20 Monday hst •
'ey. i used to work at Maine Cycle Salvage on Canal St. in Loystone [ sic. ] . Certainly you remember that place . Best place fo Moto Guzzi ® parts in the region √
Can you also remember that old Midas ® commercial on radio and TV that went , " FIX YOUR MUFFLER ! "
Nobody's targeting anyone . It's enough to wake up the dead at times
Alo'ha from Pahoa , in a " no helmet law , " state ( HI ) . Personally i believe in the worthiness and utility of brain buckets . Why would they require 'em if they didn't work ? They've worked for me many times . .. /s Steve :)
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Let those who ride decide
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...if motorcycles were allowed really loud pipes, as loud as they want them, there would never, ever be another motorcycle accident - EVER.
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I don't think that article was meant for anyone with a normal muffler on their motorcycle anymore than looking into anything else illegal is against those that abide by the law. If its like alot of the other laws it don't get enforced anyway. I defy anyone to be in town and not be blasted by radios with the base so high it vibrates your car, as well as your house when they go by, Dogs that bark incessantly. How many times does a dog have to bark before your awakened or if your just trying to watch tv or read? There have been so many "feel good laws" passed that I wonder if anyone remembers them all anyway. If you drive a motorcycle, car, truck or whatever and it meets the code and inspection that you don't have a problem. I guess if you have a motorcycle that will wake the dead then your not doing it to save gas money and the person that can stand and talk while their dogs barks and barks is just being inconsiderate of anyone else and nothing to do with the laws.
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