If there's going to be a serious effort to improve the quality of boating on Saturday Pond, a ban on gasoline motors would be great.
This very small pond can easily accommodate many canoes, row boats, sail boats and electric trolling motors without the noise and safety issues that high powered boats present.
It would be great if Mr. Hussey was correct that Maine's motorcycle noise pollution problem has been solved. But sadly, many thousands of Mainers will experience this needless and illegal noise pollution in their homes, neighborhoods and communities next year. The citizens task force on motorcycle noise, headed by the state police, is attempting to find solutions and will probably hold a third and final meeting in November. The task force will report its findings to the Transportation Committee by Jan. 15. If an enforceable law is adopted, such as the federal EPA label law, which is easy to enforce and is designed so that states and cities can adopt it, it may be that the numbers of loud motorcycles will be greatly reduced in the next few years. A year and one half ago, no groups existed solely to address the worsening problem of loud bikes. There are now several including Maine Citizens for Quiet Motorvehicles, Maine Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles, Quiet Rye, New Hampshire Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles and Massachusetts Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles. It's becoming increasingly clear to elected officials, legislators, law enforcement officials, biker organization leaders and of course citizens, that this problem isn't going to go away until it's solved.
There are EPA noise compliant exhausts available from Vance & Hines, Crusher Muffler, BUB Enterprises and Harley Davidson. Also, S & S makes an EPA noise compliant slip on muffler.
When states begin to adopt and enforce the EPA label law, more motorcycle manufacturers will extend the manufacture of their noise compliant exhausts for their older models and of course, more and more aftermarket exhaust makers will expand their production of noise compliant exhausts.
There's no argument with the statement that car drivers should always be aware of others including motorcyclists. However, when riders wear black jackets, black helmets and operate black bikes, these are the color of asphalt as stated by the author of this piece;
And as he correctly states, it's no wonder that motorists don't see these riders.
So, there's no question that loud colors, such as the lime green vests that highway workers wear, daytime running lights and defensive driving all contribute to motorcycle safety.
The largest study of motorcycle safety, The Hurt Report, could find no evidence that loud pipes save lives. In fact, they did find that loud motorcycles were over represented in crashes.
With many thousands of Mainers fed up with motorcycle noise pollution, there's no doubt that this issue isn't going to go away until it's solved.
We can hope that Maine's slightly revised muffler law will be enforceable, but until a loud biker challenges it in court, we won't know.
We do know that that the tired, old saying, Loud Pipes Saves Lives is a myth and an excuse for many bikers to ride loud simply because they like the sound of a big V-twin engine.
This link to an opinion piece certainly proves that loud colors work much better than loud pipes to improve motorcycle safety and also cost much less than illegally loud pipes.
As the larger society (bikers are less than three percent of the U.S. population) learns more about loud riding such as it's illegal and not necessary, we will impose effective solutions upon the tiny minority that rides loud.
That's why Maine Citizens For Quiet Motorvehicles is continuing to work to have Maine adopt and enforce the EPA label law.
It's obvious that many millions of Americans (and Canadians too) are fed up with illegal motorcycle noise and want something done about. And it's also obvious that the noise crackdown is because thousands of Harley and other riders have installed illegally loud pipes and operate with disregard for the rights of others to peace and quiet in their homes and neighborhoods. To say that Noiseoff, Maine Citizens For Quiet Motorvehicles, New Hampshire Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles, Quiet Rye and Massachusetts Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles are causing this increase in law enforcement is clearly not true. Last year, 42 percent of Maine's registered motorcycles didn't receive the required annual safety inspection sticker. This happened because many bikers believe that the laws that apply to all other motorists, don't apply to them. And of course, the lack of consistent enforcement contributed to this illegal behavior. All motorcycles made after 1982, must have an EPA noise certified exhaust with a certifying label embossed into the muffler. It's illegal under federal law to replace the certified exhaust with one that isn't, or to tamper with the legal muffler to make more noise. We in Maine will see riding loud become about as acceptable as smoking in a restaurant or hospital, after we adopt and enforce the EPA label law.
Riding loud is becoming about as acceptable as smoking in a restaurant or hospital which of course, isn't acceptable. In fact, it's considered to be abusive behavior to inflict tobacco smoke toxins upon those who don't want that exposure. There are thousands of Mainers who want the peace and quiet restored to their neighborhoods and communities by curbing loud motorcycles. Since 1983, all motorcycles are required to have an EPA noise certification label embossed into the muffler. It's illegal under federal law to replace the certified exhaust with one that isn't certified or to tamper with the legal muffler to make more noise. Maine Citizens for Quiet Motorvehicles is working to have Maine adopt and enforce the EPA label law.
Mr. Graham has written an excellent summary of the motorcycle noise pollution issue.
When the second-hand smoke issue began, it wasn't a politically popular issue. In fact, those who started this campaign, were not well thought of by most. Now, it's illegal to smoke within 50 feet of a hospital or inside a restaurant or grocery store. In fact, smoking in these places now would be about as acceptable as spitting on the floor. And that's the level of acceptability that riding loud is heading towards. Maine Citizens for Quiet Motorvehicles is working to enact laws that will be effective in curbing loud motorcycles.
There is no need for loud pipes for safety. This is proven every day when thousands of bikers ride quietly and safely.
For those riders who believe that noise increases safety, there are very loud air horns available for motorcycles that cost less than $50.
I'm sure that this will be a fun event and I hope a safe one.
Have the organizers taken steps to ensure that all the Maine registered motorcycles will have the required annual inspection sticker? Maine state police have reported that 42 percent of Maine's registered motorcycles didn't get the inspection sticker in 2009.
Also, have the leaders of this event taken steps to ensure that all participating motorcycles have mufflers. Maine law requires that all motor vehicles must have mufflers that are no louder than the original factory mufflers.
And will the police be enforcing these Maine laws that are supposed to regulate motorcycles?
Sadly, the type of collision that involves a car turning left in front of a motorcycle occurs frequently with loud Harleys. There no documentation that quiet motorcycles are involved in more crashes than loud motorcycles. If there were any significant difference, it would logically follow that quiet motorcyclists would pay much higher insurance premiums than loud motorcyclists do. The insurance industry would certainly be aware of this and charge accordingly. As the extensive motorcycle safety study, The Hurt Report, shows, loud pipes are a non factor in safe riding.
It's obvious to most intelligent people that the motorcycle noise pollution is a result of abusive behavior. It may be true that most loud bikers are doctors, lawyers, certified public accountants, nurses and other professionals. But if such a professional is found guilty of child abuse, do we just say, let him or her off because of his or her profession, or do we insist that they be punished like anyone else?
There is no cogent argument for the abusive behavior of riding loud. Riding loud doesn't contribute to safe riding nor does it improve the image of motorcycling.
There are some excellent, very loud air horns made for motorcycles that can be purchased for $50.
And although many Harley riders claim that riding loud is necessary for safety, it's astounding in view of this silly claim that thousands of bikers are able to ride whisper quiet Honda Gold Wings safely every day.
It may be of interest to some that New Hamsphire has required that the inspection sticker be displayed on the left front fork for some years and yet, somehow, life goes on. If bikers had been fully complying with the laws that are supposed to regulate motorcycles, like getting the required annual inspection sticker and riding with an adequate muffler (there are thousands of loud motorcycles that are operated with no muffler) this proposed improvement in the sticker law wouldn't have been needed. Loud bikers are very adept at trying to portray themselves as victims and no one is buying that nonsense.
It's very strange that those who say they need to ride loud to be safe are mostly Harley riders. But they never seem to be able to explain how thousands of bikers, who ride whisper-quiet Honda Gold Wings, somehow manage to ride safely every day. Of course there are also thousands of quiet bikers who ride BMWs and other brands safely. How is it that these riders have acquired the skills needed to ride safely and the loud Harley riders don't seem to be able to? Of course, before the loud bikes can be curbed, something will have to be done about police officers who ride and will not issue a ticket to a fellow biker who is violating laws.
There's no doubt that all across the country, millions of Americans want to restore the peace and quiet that their neighborhoods used to have before loud bikers destroyed it. In 2008, there were about 50,000 motorcycles registered in Maine and only about 32,000 bothered to get the required annual safety inspection sticker. It would seem to be a simple matter of fairness that bikers should have to display the sticker much like all the rest of us have to display it on our windshield. Even better, would be adopting the EPA matching label law which works very well in Denver to curtail loud motorcycles. Maine Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles (www.mecalm.org) advocates for this and other fair and easy to enforce laws to curb loud bikes.
Recent Comments
Small pond
If there's going to be a serious effort to improve the quality of boating on Saturday Pond, a ban on gasoline motors would be great.
This very small pond can easily accommodate many canoes, row boats, sail boats and electric trolling motors without the noise and safety issues that high powered boats present.
Farm tractor?
The photograph clearly shows that the farmer is on horse drawn farm machinery.
There is no tractor visible in this photograph.
Motorcycle noise pollution
It would be great if Mr. Hussey was correct that Maine's motorcycle noise pollution problem has been solved. But sadly, many thousands of Mainers will experience this needless and illegal noise pollution in their homes, neighborhoods and communities next year. The citizens task force on motorcycle noise, headed by the state police, is attempting to find solutions and will probably hold a third and final meeting in November. The task force will report its findings to the Transportation Committee by Jan. 15. If an enforceable law is adopted, such as the federal EPA label law, which is easy to enforce and is designed so that states and cities can adopt it, it may be that the numbers of loud motorcycles will be greatly reduced in the next few years. A year and one half ago, no groups existed solely to address the worsening problem of loud bikes. There are now several including Maine Citizens for Quiet Motorvehicles, Maine Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles, Quiet Rye, New Hampshire Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles and Massachusetts Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles. It's becoming increasingly clear to elected officials, legislators, law enforcement officials, biker organization leaders and of course citizens, that this problem isn't going to go away until it's solved.
Aftermarket EPA noise compliant exhausts
There are EPA noise compliant exhausts available from Vance & Hines, Crusher Muffler, BUB Enterprises and Harley Davidson. Also, S & S makes an EPA noise compliant slip on muffler.
When states begin to adopt and enforce the EPA label law, more motorcycle manufacturers will extend the manufacture of their noise compliant exhausts for their older models and of course, more and more aftermarket exhaust makers will expand their production of noise compliant exhausts.
There's no argument with the statement that car drivers should always be aware of others including motorcyclists. However, when riders wear black jackets, black helmets and operate black bikes, these are the color of asphalt as stated by the author of this piece;
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100716%2FOPI...
And as he correctly states, it's no wonder that motorists don't see these riders.
So, there's no question that loud colors, such as the lime green vests that highway workers wear, daytime running lights and defensive driving all contribute to motorcycle safety.
The largest study of motorcycle safety, The Hurt Report, could find no evidence that loud pipes save lives. In fact, they did find that loud motorcycles were over represented in crashes.
With many thousands of Mainers fed up with motorcycle noise pollution, there's no doubt that this issue isn't going to go away until it's solved.
Loud colors trump loud pipes
We can hope that Maine's slightly revised muffler law will be enforceable, but until a loud biker challenges it in court, we won't know.
We do know that that the tired, old saying, Loud Pipes Saves Lives is a myth and an excuse for many bikers to ride loud simply because they like the sound of a big V-twin engine.
This link to an opinion piece certainly proves that loud colors work much better than loud pipes to improve motorcycle safety and also cost much less than illegally loud pipes.
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100716%2FOPI...
As the larger society (bikers are less than three percent of the U.S. population) learns more about loud riding such as it's illegal and not necessary, we will impose effective solutions upon the tiny minority that rides loud.
That's why Maine Citizens For Quiet Motorvehicles is continuing to work to have Maine adopt and enforce the EPA label law.
Motorcycle noise pollution
It's obvious that many millions of Americans (and Canadians too) are fed up with illegal motorcycle noise and want something done about. And it's also obvious that the noise crackdown is because thousands of Harley and other riders have installed illegally loud pipes and operate with disregard for the rights of others to peace and quiet in their homes and neighborhoods. To say that Noiseoff, Maine Citizens For Quiet Motorvehicles, New Hampshire Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles, Quiet Rye and Massachusetts Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles are causing this increase in law enforcement is clearly not true. Last year, 42 percent of Maine's registered motorcycles didn't receive the required annual safety inspection sticker. This happened because many bikers believe that the laws that apply to all other motorists, don't apply to them. And of course, the lack of consistent enforcement contributed to this illegal behavior. All motorcycles made after 1982, must have an EPA noise certified exhaust with a certifying label embossed into the muffler. It's illegal under federal law to replace the certified exhaust with one that isn't, or to tamper with the legal muffler to make more noise. We in Maine will see riding loud become about as acceptable as smoking in a restaurant or hospital, after we adopt and enforce the EPA label law.
Riding loud
Riding loud is becoming about as acceptable as smoking in a restaurant or hospital which of course, isn't acceptable. In fact, it's considered to be abusive behavior to inflict tobacco smoke toxins upon those who don't want that exposure. There are thousands of Mainers who want the peace and quiet restored to their neighborhoods and communities by curbing loud motorcycles. Since 1983, all motorcycles are required to have an EPA noise certification label embossed into the muffler. It's illegal under federal law to replace the certified exhaust with one that isn't certified or to tamper with the legal muffler to make more noise. Maine Citizens for Quiet Motorvehicles is working to have Maine adopt and enforce the EPA label law.
Excellent letter, thank you
Mr. Graham has written an excellent summary of the motorcycle noise pollution issue.
When the second-hand smoke issue began, it wasn't a politically popular issue. In fact, those who started this campaign, were not well thought of by most. Now, it's illegal to smoke within 50 feet of a hospital or inside a restaurant or grocery store. In fact, smoking in these places now would be about as acceptable as spitting on the floor. And that's the level of acceptability that riding loud is heading towards. Maine Citizens for Quiet Motorvehicles is working to enact laws that will be effective in curbing loud motorcycles.
Motorcycle noise pollution
There is no need for loud pipes for safety. This is proven every day when thousands of bikers ride quietly and safely.
For those riders who believe that noise increases safety, there are very loud air horns available for motorcycles that cost less than $50.
Inspection stickers, mufflers?
I'm sure that this will be a fun event and I hope a safe one.
Have the organizers taken steps to ensure that all the Maine registered motorcycles will have the required annual inspection sticker? Maine state police have reported that 42 percent of Maine's registered motorcycles didn't get the inspection sticker in 2009.
Also, have the leaders of this event taken steps to ensure that all participating motorcycles have mufflers. Maine law requires that all motor vehicles must have mufflers that are no louder than the original factory mufflers.
And will the police be enforcing these Maine laws that are supposed to regulate motorcycles?
Motorcycle crashes
Sadly, the type of collision that involves a car turning left in front of a motorcycle occurs frequently with loud Harleys. There no documentation that quiet motorcycles are involved in more crashes than loud motorcycles. If there were any significant difference, it would logically follow that quiet motorcyclists would pay much higher insurance premiums than loud motorcyclists do. The insurance industry would certainly be aware of this and charge accordingly. As the extensive motorcycle safety study, The Hurt Report, shows, loud pipes are a non factor in safe riding.
Loud bikers abusive
It's obvious to most intelligent people that the motorcycle noise pollution is a result of abusive behavior. It may be true that most loud bikers are doctors, lawyers, certified public accountants, nurses and other professionals. But if such a professional is found guilty of child abuse, do we just say, let him or her off because of his or her profession, or do we insist that they be punished like anyone else?
There is no cogent argument for the abusive behavior of riding loud. Riding loud doesn't contribute to safe riding nor does it improve the image of motorcycling.
There are some excellent, very loud air horns made for motorcycles that can be purchased for $50.
And although many Harley riders claim that riding loud is necessary for safety, it's astounding in view of this silly claim that thousands of bikers are able to ride whisper quiet Honda Gold Wings safely every day.
Work Ethic
It's great to read this story about Debbie Carroll who has a great work ethic.
What is sad is that many people are not choosing a traditional burial with a traditional headstone.
There is a strong trend towards cremation and scattering of the ashes.
Front left fork
It may be of interest to some that New Hamsphire has required that the inspection sticker be displayed on the left front fork for some years and yet, somehow, life goes on. If bikers had been fully complying with the laws that are supposed to regulate motorcycles, like getting the required annual inspection sticker and riding with an adequate muffler (there are thousands of loud motorcycles that are operated with no muffler) this proposed improvement in the sticker law wouldn't have been needed. Loud bikers are very adept at trying to portray themselves as victims and no one is buying that nonsense.
Loud bikes
It's very strange that those who say they need to ride loud to be safe are mostly Harley riders. But they never seem to be able to explain how thousands of bikers, who ride whisper-quiet Honda Gold Wings, somehow manage to ride safely every day. Of course there are also thousands of quiet bikers who ride BMWs and other brands safely. How is it that these riders have acquired the skills needed to ride safely and the loud Harley riders don't seem to be able to? Of course, before the loud bikes can be curbed, something will have to be done about police officers who ride and will not issue a ticket to a fellow biker who is violating laws.
Noise related health problems
Senator Nancy Sullivan is certainly correct when she says that noise pollution from loud motorcycles is a public health problem.
This link to the World Health Organization about noise pollution confirms her statement.
http://www.who.int/topics/noise/en/
There's no doubt that all
There's no doubt that all across the country, millions of Americans want to restore the peace and quiet that their neighborhoods used to have before loud bikers destroyed it. In 2008, there were about 50,000 motorcycles registered in Maine and only about 32,000 bothered to get the required annual safety inspection sticker. It would seem to be a simple matter of fairness that bikers should have to display the sticker much like all the rest of us have to display it on our windshield. Even better, would be adopting the EPA matching label law which works very well in Denver to curtail loud motorcycles. Maine Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles (www.mecalm.org) advocates for this and other fair and easy to enforce laws to curb loud bikes.