Seeking to quiet ‘Hogs’ in city
BY CAROLINE LINTON
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 7:29 PM EST
In the lovely cool before dawn, New York City residents may no longer have to endure the rolling thunder of motorcycle engines.
Motorcycle drivers could face a stiff penalty under a proposed City Council bill if they do not possess a stamp from the Environmental Protection Agency verifying the motorcycle does not have the illegal loud exhaust pipe known as a “straight pipe.”
The City Council is expected to vote on the bill in early January, but Councilmember Leroy Comrie, who joined in a protest with motorcycle riders at City Hall on December 22, said he hoped to delay the passage of the bill.
Residents who live near Shore Boulevard, a popular spot for motorcycles, said they supported the bill.
“I love motorcycle guys, ride your motorcycles, but it’s ridiculous how loud it is,” said Astoria resident Brad Amster, 31. “I am all for this.”
Advocates for the bill claim the straight pipe is too loud, but the American Motorcycle Association has voiced strong opposition to the bill, calling it discriminatory against motorcycle riders, since the law only targets motorcycles with excessive noise, not any other vehicles. It would also essentially require all motorcycles to have a shock exhaust system, which must be made by the original manufacturer.
“We do not support, in fact we advocate against, excessive noise,” said American Motorcycle Association spokesperson Peter terHorst. “But the issue is that motorcycles are being unfairly targeted.”
A straight pipe is a type of exhaust pipe without baffles, so the exhaust travels unfiltered through the system, causing more noise.
Noise in New York City must not exceed 80 decibels, but many motorcycle riders believe “straight pipes save lives” since loud pipes make motorcycles more visible to drivers of large vehicles.
Councilmember Peter F. Vallone, who sponsored the bill, said this excessive noise is one of the largest complaints to 3-1-1, the city’s nonviolent complaint line, as well as to his office. Vallone said he heard testimony from motorcycle club members who said their bikes could be operated safely without the straight pipe.
Under the proposed bill, violators will be subject to a $150 fine for the first offense, $300 for the second offense and $400 for the third offense. They could also face a civil penalty of up to $500 for the first offense and $5,000 for the third offense. Motorcycles can also be seized temporarily after the first offense, and permanently after the second offense.
“I’m not making any new or harsher laws, I’m just enforcing the current law,” Vallone said.
TerHorst said since the EPA sticker is only applied if the motorcycle rider gets parts from the original manufacturer, thus making it nearly impossible for riders of older bikes to comply. Furthermore, he said, the new law is only testing for motorcycles without the EPA approval, meaning violators could be ticketed while their bike is parked at the curb and are not violators of the noise ordinance.
“How do you test for sound - that’s a whole other can of worms, which is why the city isn’t testing for noise, instead for a stamp,” terHorst said.
The American Motorcycle Association is urging members to contact their City Council representative about the bill.
Shore Towers resident Kathleen Eng, 53, said supported the new enforcement as well, since motorcycles frequently drive on Shore Boulevard in Astoria near her apartment.
“In the summertime, when the windows are open, it’s difficult to have a life,” she said.
