NY City Council Targets Motorcycle Sound

Friday, December 12, 2008

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The New York City Council is about to give final approval to a bill that the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) says discriminates against motorcyclists and imposes severe, out-of-line penalties.

The AMA also complained that the measure languished in the Council for two years and then, in a surprise move, was revived just a week before the scheduled final vote, allowing little opportunity for public comment.

"This is outrageous. This is no way to operate in a democracy," said Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager. "The Committee on Public Safety considered the bill on Dec. 14, 2006, and then suddenly approves it and sends it to the full Council on Dec. 10, 2008?"

The measure, up for full City Council approval on Thursday, Dec. 18, would make it illegal for any motorcycle to be on city streets unless it has an exhaust system with a stamp that states it is approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Essentially that means the bike must have a stock exhaust system.

Motorcyclists caught without an EPA-stamped exhaust system would face fines of up to $1,000 for a first offense and temporary forfeiture of the motorcycle until the fine is paid. A second offense would result in a fine of up to $2,500 and permanent forfeiture of the motorcycle.

City officials apparently believe that requiring motorcyclists to have EPA-approved exhaust systems is easier to enforce than trying to prove a motorcycle exceeds the city's vaguely defined 80-decibel sound limit.

Szauter stressed that the AMA has long opposed excessive motorcycle sound and has funded information and public relations campaigns in support of quiet motorcycle use.

"The issue is that the New York City Council is unfairly singling out motorcyclists because motorcycles are the only vehicles covered under the bill," he said. "If New York City officials believe they have a sound problem, then the problem should be handled through the existing noise ordinance and not through piecemeal legislation targeting specific modes of transportation."

Szauter added that requiring motorcycles--and no other motor vehicles--to have a stock exhaust system is particularly discriminatory. When the muffler wears out or breaks on a car, the car owner can go to a local muffler shop and get an aftermarket system that costs much less than an original equipment system. The proposed New York City law wouldn't allow a motorcyclist to do that, forcing the motorcyclist to potentially spend hundreds of dollars more for an original equipment system, assuming that system is even still available.

"If a motorcyclist can't find a stock system, then the rider faces stiff fines and forfeiture of the machine, Szauter said. "These penalties are too severe and out of line when compared with other city laws."

Szauter urged all New York City motorcyclists to contact their City Council members immediately and ask that they reject this discriminatory measure.

Concerned motorcyclists living outside the area, especially those who work in or frequently visit the city, should contact Speaker of City Council Christine Quinn by telephone at (212) 788-7210; by letter to City Hall, New York, NY 10007; or by e-mail by visiting http://council.nyc.gov/d3/html/members/home.shtml.

To see the measure, go to http://tinyurl.com/6mo2yo.

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Comments

Mr.T - Motorcycles and Decible Ratings March 29, 2009 10:12 PM
The Weather is just about to get warm and there will be thousands of Poorly tuned V-Twins with bad gas barely able to run so here comes the weekend wannabee biker reving and backfiring and annoying most of the population who are Anti-Motorcycle.Most of them pushing their children on swings in parks and complaining about Motorcyles while they sip on red wine and get nice, guess they have the free right to break the LAW on a Sunday afternoon. Lets get this together guys get the bikes serviced so you dont have to break windows while going just 23 miles an hour. The Loud pipes do not provide instant performance gains, a well tuned machine means reliability and less attention from the non-bike crowd,and for the inline four bike crowd 2 japanese companies,Big Motors,Run Close to 200MPH with The Silent Stock Exhuast System right off the Dealer floor. You Dont need aftermarket slip-ons. Lets be Careful Stay United and Remember if You Love Motorcycling you've Somehow have to protect your Right To Ride. Go the extra mile and do it right.

OH - such nonsense March 29, 2009 12:01 PM
Do you realize what would happen if this law get approved? What if the biker was going to get pulled over for something minor. Do you honestly think that "any" biker with an aftermarket exhaust will pull over knowing that they will not only have to pay an overpriced ridiculous fine and have the bike taken away? Bikers who do obey traffic rules and never run from the cops will now do the opposite putting themselves, civilians and even the officers at risk. If the city needs more money, Why not target drivers who are on there cell phones, don't signal when changing lanes, cutting off others, speed etc.... Purchase more unmarked vehicles and pull over people who actually cause accidents. A loud exhaust is just an annoyance to others but the violations i just listed above are dangerous to not only themselves but the drivers surrounding them and these kinds of people are well aware of the dangers but obviously could care less about the safety of others, yet the fines are more a slap on the wrist for these kind of people and do not deter the majority of them from doing it again. How does the ratio of dangerous violators to the amount imposed for these violations compare to a loud exhaust on a motorcycle and the punishment attached to it? Its unrealistic, unfair and should not be passed.

Tim - This WILL Get Passed! February 10, 2009 06:00 PM
Mark my words. This bill will get passed in one way, shape, or form. Like others have said, Denver did it. This is an easy way for the politicians to win the majority of the general public over. Don't let Biker Build-off, American Chopper, or any of those other shows fool you. Most of the public still hates motorcycles and thinks that they're dangerous and shouldn't be on the road. When motorcycles are cracked down on the politicians get "points" in this "democratic" game we call the US Government. Discrimination is still alive and kicking and wholly allowed as long as we're not talking race, creed, or religion.

ZT - Great Law! January 17, 2009 01:29 PM
Loud bikes are violating the rights and freedom of people to enjoy their life uninterrupted, by turds that insist on using illegal mufflers. The federal laws are well considered, just use a muffler that was designed to be street legal which by law must bear the EPA Label. Bikes are manufactures to be about as loud as a normal auto. Give up that stupid safety argument. If you want to be safe drive a car, or buy a horn that points forwards and wear bright clothing. Stop intruding on everyone else. www.motorbyte.com/mmm/pages/safety/safety40.htm Pat Hahn of the state of Minnesota's Motorcycle Safety Center says he understands individual expression. But he says the idea that loud pipes save lives is a myth. Hahn says there's a problem with the safety theory because the pipes direct the sound backwards.

Boudiepitbull - pandering politicians December 22, 2008 04:16 PM
My bikes are each about 25 years old. I doubt a stock exhaust could be found for either of them. Both are louder than stock, but both are baffled and I've never received a noise violation riding them. Do any new aftermarket exhaust systems come with this EPA stamp of approval or are we all out of luck? I guess we have to thank all the $15,000/15 mile RUBs who thought hammering on it when they left Hogs and Heifers at sun up was a good idea. People complain to local politicians like Gearson and Valone who do nothing but pander to whiney constituents and champion causes that they think will keep them popular and get them re-elected. Guess what? We ride and we vote too! Vote them out. Better yet call them up and tell them you're going to vote them out AND all your friends are going to vote them out too!

Roadman - We fought and beat an angle parking ban in the early 70's December 16, 2008 08:35 AM
There was the Metropolitan Cycle Association that organized protests, support rides and picketing of Gracie Mansion. We won! Unfortunately, there are now motorcycles on the street that are ridiculously loud. If we as riders would tell these idiots that there bikes are too loud, we could cure our own problem.

MK - Suprise! December 15, 2008 04:15 PM
Well New York, I can and will take my money and business elsewhere. New York, both the state and city, is one of the least friendly places for motorcyclists in the Northeast. Between the random checkpoints targeting motorcycles specifically, ticketing of motorcycles LEGALLY using HOV lanes, and now sudden laws requiring motorcycles (not "tuner" cars, street rods, heavy trucks, or any other type of vehicle) to have an EPA approval stamp on their exhaust, New York is choosing to discriminate against one segment of society based solely on their choice of transportation. This kind of discrimination is not allowed to safeguard travelers in airports, people living near drug infested neighborhoods, or job applicants, and should not be allowed here. I travel extensively with groups and alone on a motorcycle, for business and pleasure, and will be sure to avoid New York state entirely in the future should this measure pass.

KS - Just another Law to enforce December 15, 2008 02:02 PM
They already have a noise Law.Why don't they enforce that?Is a bike with loud exaust any louder than a train,big truck,bus?How bout cabbies blowing their freekin horns and holering out the windows of their cabs,garbage trucks,constuction sites.We need more laws to deal with the drug dealers and the real crimminals.Just let us ride,thats all we want.Leave the law they have in place and enforce it but do it across the board.Hey New York,the state included,last one out turn the lights off!How many people work building aftermarket parts? I guess you poeple are gone.Citys just don't get it,must be times are better in the city's than we are lead to believe.They don't want our business.Same crap is going on in a South Carolina Beach City,we USED to go to.Just my two cents,and I don't even ride in New york city.

A Real Motorcycleman - for the safety motorcycle riders December 15, 2008 11:10 AM
Folks, if they approved about this law, u will see more motorcycle drivers dead because accident, loud muffler is like a guardian for motorcycle to notice other vehicles. And 1 thing u gotta remmember, motorcycle's size most of them are small, not too many other driver can notice when we are driving around on cars or trucks.

Tim - It Was Only A Matter of Time People! December 15, 2008 09:05 AM
All the "bikers" with the loud pipes save lives attitude are ruining it for everybody. If you didn't see this coming years ago you're deaf and blind or an idiot. I think aftermarket exhaust should be legal, but I wouldn't be against a dB limit. Straight pipes on a Harley are just obnoxious and disturb people at 2AM when they all leave the bars. I do think it's extremely discriminatory because it's only motorcycles. If the AMA wants to save face and show that it's still a viable organization (which I think is questionable since motorcycle discrimation is everywhere - insurance is a great example) they need to put the members' money to good use and get the best lawyer to stop this BS! It's just ridiculous. I also think the fine is outrageous! It should be roughly the same of any other noise complaint. I guess bypassing the EPA BS is a big chunk of that fine, though. This world would be a better place without the EPA for many reasons.

cj ahrens - nyc motorcycle sound December 14, 2008 06:07 AM
denver did this same thing a few years ago.blatant discrimination against motorcycles.this must be stopped!! big city,s are going broke and are trying anything to steal money

BS - We'll take our business elsewhere December 14, 2008 05:52 AM
Cars, giant trucks, buses, yea, all quiet as a mouse. Sure some of the pipes are out of hand but so are idiots on cell phones or jerks with the stereo blasting. That behavior can kill someone in an accident, did a loud pipe ever kill someone? They are like Denver, basically banning motorcycles from public streets in the city. Great move for business in this current economy!!!!

Mike - N.Y. Law M/C December 14, 2008 05:16 AM
True there are bikes out on the road that are running straight pipe,illegal equipment, no pipes ect... They 're loud They're also illegal. This law is an example of the failure of State governments to enforce the laws already on the books that address excessive noise and illegal equipment on motorcycles. They find it easier to have a "Blanket Law" that goes after Joe Citizen, who is obeying the laws, than to go after the law breakers.

sw - loud exhaust December 13, 2008 04:08 PM
motorcyclist are bring this kind of law on themselves. v-twin and sport bikes draw too much attention to them selves with just about open exhaust. this is the result. get real.

Nodian1 - Silly Silly Law December 13, 2008 12:24 PM
So if I were towing my motorcycle that had an aftermarket exhaust with a truck that has a really loud off road exhaust; the non-running parked motorcycle in the bed of the truck would get confiscated and nothing said about the loud obnoxious truck. Well gee, how can I possibly get my bike to a track day? This law is more than discriminatory it is retarded.

PT - People shouldn't take this lightly December 13, 2008 04:46 AM
Submitted a complaint to the speaker and to Mayor Bloomberg as well. People shouldn't take this lightly. This is a ridiculous violation of people's freedoms and rights. Unfortunately, legislators are getting paid to produce laws, and many of them are clueless, and keep coming up with ridiculous proposals each year. They wouldn't know what would be acceptable to their constituency unless people speak up! Please, let your voice be heard, and send a letter or an email to these guys. The AMA should get serious about this too!

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