Jake
June 25th, 2003, 10:00 PM
Motorcycle enthusiasts packed Town Council chambers in Old Orchard Beach, ME recently to oppose an ordinance proposed to silence loud bikes.
"Education, not legislation, is the key to getting along," Howard Karakhanian of United Bikers of Maine told town officials at the public hearing.
"It's just not necessary," one biker, Rick Musial, told the council. "There's no need for it."
The ordinance being considered would outlaw loud motorcycles such as those with altered mufflers.
According to the Portland Press Herald, the proposed motorcycle ordinance would prohibit bikers from installing noisy, attention-getting exhaust pipes. The measure also would outlaw "rapid throttle advance and/or revving of an internal combustion engine resulting in increased noise from the engine and exhaust system."
Under the ordinance, a first-time offender would be fined $50. Repeat offenses could bring fines of $500.
The measure, said Police Chief Dana Kelley, "is an effort to stop those who come here and abuse the privilege. This ordinance would enable us to deal with exhaust systems with no mufflers. We're not looking to target motorcyclists in general."
Councilor Roxanne Frenette, who said she has a motorcycle, said bikers who don't alter their machines won't have any problem.
Motel owners are among those who favor cutting down on motorcycle noise, which Kelley said is the No. 1 complaint he gets during the summer. Norm Marquis and Marc Bourassa, who run motels, said motorcycle noise bothers their customers. "Not a day goes by when someone doesn't ask me, 'Why is that allowed?' " Bourassa said.
"Education, not legislation, is the key to getting along," Howard Karakhanian of United Bikers of Maine told town officials at the public hearing.
"It's just not necessary," one biker, Rick Musial, told the council. "There's no need for it."
The ordinance being considered would outlaw loud motorcycles such as those with altered mufflers.
According to the Portland Press Herald, the proposed motorcycle ordinance would prohibit bikers from installing noisy, attention-getting exhaust pipes. The measure also would outlaw "rapid throttle advance and/or revving of an internal combustion engine resulting in increased noise from the engine and exhaust system."
Under the ordinance, a first-time offender would be fined $50. Repeat offenses could bring fines of $500.
The measure, said Police Chief Dana Kelley, "is an effort to stop those who come here and abuse the privilege. This ordinance would enable us to deal with exhaust systems with no mufflers. We're not looking to target motorcyclists in general."
Councilor Roxanne Frenette, who said she has a motorcycle, said bikers who don't alter their machines won't have any problem.
Motel owners are among those who favor cutting down on motorcycle noise, which Kelley said is the No. 1 complaint he gets during the summer. Norm Marquis and Marc Bourassa, who run motels, said motorcycle noise bothers their customers. "Not a day goes by when someone doesn't ask me, 'Why is that allowed?' " Bourassa said.