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http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x670923075/N-H-lawmakers-may-muffle-motorcycle-noise

N.H. lawmakers may muffle motorcycle noise

 

 

August 9, 2011

By Doug Ireland direland@eagletribune.com The Eagle Tribune Tue Aug 09, 2011, 12:14 AM EDT

Motorcycles fans and detractors are revving up for a battle in the state Legislature.

A bill to be introduced by Rep. Michele Peckham, R-North Hampton, would require motorcycles to stay below the 80-decibel noise standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Current state law allows a maximum of 106 decibels.

The proposal has received the backing of New Hampshire Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles, or NHCALM. The statewide organization announced its support of the bill yesterday.

Bill Mitchell, the group's founder, said noise from loud motorcycles is infringing on the quality of life in the Granite State, especially in coastal communities.

The fact motorcyclists often ride in groups exacerbates the problem, Mitchell said.

"It's usually not just one of them, it's about 15 of them," he said.

If passed, the law would take effect in 2013.

Peckham, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, is proposing the tougher law because of a battle to restrict motorcycle noise in North Hampton. The town adopted its own ordinance, but it has been challenged in court, Mitchell said.

The proposal requires motorcycles to be equipped with exhaust system mufflers with the EPA's "Motorcycle Noise Emission Control Information" label.

Violators would be fined at least $350 for a first offense and up to $500 for any subsequent offenses. The law would only apply to street motorcycles manufactured after Jan. 1, 2013.

Mitchell is already gearing up for what he expects will be a tough fight in the Legislature. He doesn't think the bill will pass, especially after a similar proposal was defeated earlier this year.

"We want to get people writing to their reps," he said. "Eventually, it will prevail, but it's probably not going to happen this year and it's probably not going to happen next year."

Perhaps the biggest obstacle is the House Transportation Committee, where the previous legislation was defeated, Mitchell said.

"It never got out of committee," Mitchell said. "Unless you get it out of committee, it's not going anywhere."

Mitchell lays the blame on committee Chairman Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry.

Packard, a founding member of the New Hampshire Motorcyclists Rights Organization, said yesterday the proposal is too restrictive.

"It's ludicrous," Packard said. "These people, CALM, don't want motorcycles on the road."

Packard said the tougher law would be difficult to enforce and would subject motorcyclists to unnecessary harassment.

That's because police officers would have to stop them to check for the EPA sticker, which is difficult to see without looking underneath the motorcycle, he said.

Most current models do not have the EPA sticker, Packard said.

He said the current law, which banned straight exhaust pipes, does enough to keep noise levels in check. Violators of the 106-decibel law face a fine of $100 to $300, he said. Motorcyclists with straight pipes are fined $250 to $350.

Troy Cormier, owner of Evo Cycle in Londonderry, also said the proposed law is too restrictive.

Cormier said he has no problem with restricting noise levels at night, but sees no need to tighten the law.

"I think the current law is good," he said. "I don't think it should be any quieter."

Cormier said being able to hear a motorcycle on the highway can prevent a serious accident. He recalled a recent incident on Interstate 93 when a motorcycle suddenly came up behind him.

"The only reason I knew he was there was because I could hear him," he said."

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http://scmra.org/Forums/Thread.aspx?pageid=3&t=124~-1#post129 BillBrews http://scmra.org/Forums/Thread.aspx?pageid= Thu, 11 Aug 2011 02:48:06 GMT