The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Motorcycle Noise To Get Regulated In Maine's Largest City

"Motorcycle noise rule inches ahead

Portland's Public Safety Committee wants all motorcycles on city streets to bear an exhaust system label.

By DENNIS HOEY, Staff Writer

PORTLAND — A proposal that would require all motorcycles parked or operated on public streets in Portland to bear a label certifying compliance with federal noise emission standards is inching its way to a City Council vote.

At their meeting Monday night, Portland councilors received a proposal from the Public Safety Committee that would require all motorcycles to bear an exhaust system label. Currently, Portland's ordinance prohibits operation of a motorcycle in such a manner that the public's attention is drawn to the source of the noise, according to the city's Web site.

Councilors took no action on the committee's recommendation, saying only that it would be discussed at the council's next meeting on Sept. 9. The noise law was unanimously approved by the committee at its July 14 meeting."

"SUMMARY

By state regulation, motorcycles manufactured in or after 1979 cannot exceed a noise level of 84 decibels (dB) when traveling more than 35 mph on a paved street or highway. This is noisier than the maximum noise levels allowed for cars, but less noisy than the permissible noise levels for buses and other vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds. We could not determine from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or from the regulation’s history why DMV chose this particular standard. However, DMV may have used reasoning similar to that later used by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when it set federal standards for motorcycle noise. EPA weighed the public benefit of less noise against the cost to motorcycle manufacturers of reducing motorcycle noise levels.

State and local law enforcement officers enforce state noise laws and municipal noise ordinances. Enforcement is difficult, however, because of demands on police personnel, the need to use sophisticated testing equipment, and the transitory nature of the offense. (By the time police respond to a complaint, the offender — and the noise — are usually long". Follow more here.