Recently in the news was a subject near and dear to me. Motorcycle Noise. The NH House wanted to pass a bill limiting the amount of noise from motorcycles. HB 95 would have required no modifications to the exhaust, required a tachometer, and would have lowered the decibel level from 106 db to 95 db, when measured at 20" from the exhaust at a 45degree angle with the bike running at 2800 rpm for 1 and 2 cylinder models and at 3500 rpm for 3 or more cylinders (could they have made it more difficult) complete text of the bill here:
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/HB0095.html
With spring coming soon, I was hopeful that the House would have the courage to pass such a bill since the noise is sometimes so loud that you need to stop talking to someone while they go buy or loud enough so that you can not hear your television or radio until they are a quarter mile down the road. Not to mention you can't hear the birdies sing.
Well needless to say, not one person on the committee voted to approve this legislation.
"HB 95, relative to motorcycle equipment and noise levels. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Paul H. Ingersoll for Transportation: This bill would create an economic hardship on motorcycle riders and also on the State of New Hampshire with loss of millions on this summer event in the Lakes Region. Also, the bill prohibits adding after market equipment in one place and in another place it mandates adding the after market equipment. Vote 19-0."
And what's with the economic hardship? Not modifying the exhaust or adding a tach? I remember having a beat up piece of crap bike and it had a tach. I guess we can all take our mufflers off our cars since the race track in Loudon brings in millions too, and we wouldn't want to do anything to discourage people from going to that event!
Also, New Hamshire is considering requiring all passengers in cars to be restrained, either with a seat belt or in an approved child seat. And you could be stopped for not wearing it. Heck, we don't even require motorcycle riders to wear a helmet and they are far more likely to receive a head injury in a crash than if they were in a car.
I guess motorcycles are the sacred cow of New Hampshire: Live Free or Die
HA HA HA Motorcycles = Sacred cow. That makes me laugh! I have never given it much though and didn't even know about that bill. However, I will say that I have enjoyed my fair share of motorcycle rides, but the LOUD ones startle me and often cause my baby to cry! Not cool, big, bad biker Dude....NOT COOL!
ReplyDelete-MJ