Representative Dave Sharpe, of Bristol, has proposed a motorcycle noise ordinance that he hopes will start conversation about how to prevent loud motorcycles from annoying residents of his district.
The proposal H.0733, which is currently in the Transportation Committee, sets an 80 decibels maximum noise level and prohibits removing, bypassing or modifying exhaust in a manner that causes the motorcycle to exceed the limit. The bill also requires sellers of replacement exhaust systems to include specifications on the noise level emitted by systems.
Sharpe said that complaints about loud motorcycles from Bristol residents – especially those who live on VT-17 –motivated him to sponsor the bill. “It’s unfortunate when a few impinge upon the enjoyment of other residents”, Sharpe said.
“I hope a little self-regulation might go further than having the State come in and pass laws”, Sharpe said. “This puts it out there on the table. I hope this is a conversation starter.”
New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York have noise laws and Maine is working on a proposal. The noise level and method of measurement varies considerably among states.
“We’re seeing a lot of one-offs [laws] based on the Federal pass-by test”, said Mike Richards, Manager of Government Affairs for Harley Davidson in Milwaukee, WI.
The federal pass-by test requires that the motorcycle be ridden at an exact speed through a “trap” where the decibel level is measured. The test is difficult for law enforcement to properly administer on the roadside and is influenced by factors in the test environment, such as street noise and buildings.
The current Vermont proposal is based on the Federal pass-by test, as are the Massachusetts and New York laws.
The Massachusetts level is 82 decibels for motorcycles traveling at less than 45 Mph, when measured from 50 feet and 86 decibels for motorcycles traveling at greater than 45 Mph. In New York, the level is 82 decibels at 35 Mph and 86 decibels over 35 Mph.
Richards said that Harley Davidson, along with the AMA and Motorcycle Industry Council would like to see states base their laws on a test developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers. The SAE test measures the noise level from the rear. The meter is placed 20 inches behind the tailpipe, at a 45 degree angle, and the motorcycle is run at idle.
The New Hampshire law measures the noise level as specified by the SAE, but the maximum sound level is 106 decibels.The Federal level is 80 decibels.
“We’re concerned about how a rider knows they are in compliance”, said Richards. Harley Davidson manufactures all of their bikes to be within the Federal noise level of 80 decibels, but an improperly administered test could indicate that a bike exceeds the level, Richards said.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a professional certification association for speech-language pathologists, audiologists and hearing scientists, states that a noise level of 80 decibels is about the same as an alarm clock or a busy street. A lawnmower, shop tools and truck traffic generate approximately 90 decibels. Sound greater than 80 decibels can cause hearing loss if the duration of exposure is long enough.
The bill is currently just a proposal. It will need six votes from the eleven member Transportation Committee before moving forward. It may also require a stop in the House Ways and Means Committee to determine a fine before moving to the House and Senate for votes and then to the governor for signature. Sharpe said that he felt passage would be unlikely during this legislative session.
“If there is a better way to solve this issue, then I’m all for it”, Sharpe said.
Resources
- WebBike on SAE J2825 Standard
- SAE J2825
- Motorcycle Industry Council
- American Motorcyclist Association
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Noise and Hearing Loss
Sounds like another infringment on a persons rights. If this is to be enforced, then I will have to start complaining about the Burlington Airport, surely you realize those Planes I hear Day and Night along with the Guards F-16's are much more than 80 Decibels!
I find this article and the motivation of Representative Sharpe quite ironic. Sharpe justifies his proposal by indicating that, “It’s unfortunate when a few impinge upon the enjoyment of other residents”. Well then, Mr. Sharpe, why are you impinging upon the rights of many motorcyclists on behalf of a few of your neighbors? I would say that hundreds, if not thousands, of bikers pass through the town of Bristol each season. Many of whom stop for lunch or shop in your stores. I propose that if Representative Sharpe does not want to welcome our presence or cannot tolerate ten seconds of our pipes as we pass by, then we detour his sensitive little town in 2010...
If you regualte one you had better regulate all.
Trucks, Cars, Bikes, 18 wheelers, Lawn mowers, Weed wackers..Those lil horns and bells on little kids bikes...
I know these reps. I help them get elected 6 years ago. Payback's a b**ch. One way to put a damper on this is to set up a meet in Bristol. carry placards and boycott Businesses and let them know its because of Sharpe and Fisher.Numbersd of motorcycles go through Bristol all summer long. Motorcyclist spend a lot of money at the stores and restaurants. Hinesburg and Middlebury have good restaurants and shops. Lets spend our money there. contact BC Motorsports and Cyclewize and bke shops in the area for help.
An imprumpto Rally might just give Sharpe and Fisher more then a little Heartburn.
Listen to the bikers and you'll never have an enforceable law.
The federal 80 dB standard is measured 50 feet from an accelerating motorcycle at full throttle. The New Hampshire standard is measured 20 inches from the exhaust pipe at a specified rpm. This is still way too loud and requires an expensive sound meter which few if any police departments will buy. There are never enough sound meters in the field to enable effective enforcement. The federal noise test cannot be done in the field for enforcement. Federal EPA compliant (80 dB) mufflers are stamped with a label of compliance which can be used for enforcement. Tampering can be detected in inspection. No straight pipes are EPA compliant and non compliant mufflers are stamped,"for closed course competition only". Forget sound meters. Ban straight pipes. Check for EPA compliant mufflers. Look what Maine is doing. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. New Hampshire's motorcycle noise law lets the loud bikers do what they please. New Hampshire's motorcycle noise law needs to changed.
I left out that Vermont's motorcycle law needs to be changed. The law as it is proposed now is still unenforceable. No police officer is going stand by the side of the road, 50 feet away from a passing motorcycle, and measure it's noise emissions. In the states and municipalities that have a law like this, no enforcement takes place. You must enforce the federal standard by checking for EPA compliant mufflers. If the law in it's present form passes, nothing will change. The bikes will continue roar and the police will still be helpless to do anything about it. Don't count on the loud bikers to police themselves. They won't do anything about it either.