ISSUE STATEMENT
The issue of motorcycle sound has been recently described as an issue that we, the motorcycle community, must address or it will address us.
WHERE WE ARE
Motorcycle sound when deemed excessive has become a serious issue in some communities and certainly may become an issue in many more. Most troubling is that the potential exists for this to affect motorcycle rights nationwide.
At this point the sound issue is being dealt with inconsistently both by the communities and the riders themselves. In the communities we are seeing a vast range of little or no concern at all, to ordinances being put in place of varying degrees from reasonable sound level limits being set clear up to harassment and outright bans. Testing is being carried out and enforced against that is not consistent with developed methodology. And we have seen unenforceable regulations on the rise in an effort to curb excessive sound. The EPA has even been called on to address the sound issue through regulations under their jurisdiction. It is easily identified that motorcycle sound can become a serious enough issue where punitive, discriminatory, and even anti-tampering measures are being suggested and often times acted upon against motorcyclists.
In the rider community we also run an equally wide gap from the “Loud pipes risk rights” crowd to the “Loud pipes save lives” crowd, both equally passionate about the sound their motorcycles make and the ability to make the desired sound. There is certainly an image that has been romanticized and capitalized upon when it comes to sound and that must be recognized. Along with that comes the desire for added performance, real or perceived, there is a strong connection of sound equals power at work here. Of greatest concern though is that amongst ourselves the issue leads to finger pointing, assigning blame or singling out specific groups, prohibiting motorcycles from motorcycle events, and may even lead to galvanizing one crowd against the other. This alone is enough to set the motorcycle rights community and their efforts back significantly.
WHERE WE WANT TO BE
In the big picture ideally we strive for mainstream society to accept motorcycles and view them as positive. We certainly want to increase accessibility to motorcycles and maintain riding areas for potential new riders and veteran riders alike. Without question we desire a well-educated public and one that can influence and educate future users. We need the various National and State motorcycle rights organizations to work together on this issues as well as continue coalition building with other affected motorcycle users of all types. We certainly want to avoid global standards, community driven standards, and government control. Instead we should want to see rider responsibility, social marketing, and peer pressure as methods to help solve the issue where the motto “Educate not Legislate” remains a driving force.
HOW TO GET THERE
Many believe that this is not really a motorcycle issue but may be more of a behavioral issue and that must be addressed through more education. We need to get additional motorcycle elements invested in the process of recognizing sound as an issue. We need to educate motorcyclists and the public what sound is. Along with that we must also insure appropriate, consistent, affordable, and repeatable testing if it is to be used as a measurement tool. Very important is the fact that we must illustrate as the motorcycle stakeholders involved that nothing was taken off the table and that all concerns and avenues to address those concerns were discussed in an open environment. We also need much greater cooperation between riders and the public.
SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS
Publish an explanatory document illustrating the many subjects related to the sound issue the Sound Working Group considered.
Publish a technical document explaining the mechanics of sound and sound measurement, as well as identifying the current standards in place and their sound measurement techniques.
Critical we get the motorcycle media, the motorcycle racing community, and manufacturers from the O.E.M. side and the aftermarket side to become fully recognizant and invested in this issue.
Manufacturers need to be aware of cost implications and availability of various parts affecting sound.
The racing community needs to enforce rules in place, the concern here is that the general riding population will purchase whatever the professionals use on their motorcycles and in many cases they exceed the racing standards in place.
Form a strong coalition with the off-road motorcycle community, as many of the issues we face are the same. The On-road group can certainly learn from the Off-road group.
Further investigate the issue of sound and its negativity. Specifically research what leads to the actual complaint from the public such as time of day, duration of excessive sound, tone, decibel level, and was it tied to another event.
Conduct a scientific study into whether or not sound has an impact on the safety of the motorcyclist and/or increases awareness of another driver as to the presence of a motorcycle, and if so in what circumstances.
Develop and promote voluntary sound measurement exercises by motorcyclists in order to educate riders on their sound levels.
Develop a program that can be used to educate the public on this issue.
Need to investigate whether or not the current and proposed EPA regulations are too strict and forcing the sound issue.
Get State Motorcycle Rights Organizations to agree that educating their members can have an impact if the proper tool is used.
A concerted effort should be made by motorcycle dealers and aftermarket shops to define a usable power band for the user. This campaign would best be developed by an industry association for promotion amongst their members.
HIGH PRIORITY
Develop a social awareness campaign (peer pressure) in a usable format to educate riders regarding the affect motorcycle sound can have in many riding areas and then get the manufacturers, rights groups, and marketing groups to promote and distribute it.
Respectfully submitted to the Sound Working Group,
–Kirk “Hardtail” Willard
Vice President
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
