Peachland asks bikers to pipe down in town
Coaster campaign aimed at reducing complaints about noisy motorcycles
Peachland Mayor Cindy Fortin wants motorcyclists to know they are welcome, but is asking them to pipe down and respect the serenity of the town.
Fortin arrived at the launch of Peachland’s motorcycle noise awareness campaign Friday morning clad in leather on a Kawasaki Nomad Vulcan.
The launch was positioned just before the May long weekend, the unofficial start of summer, and Sunday’s World of Wheels, Peachland’s largest one-day event of the year.
As part of the campaign, Peachland has printed 10,000 drink coasters that are being distributed to Beach Avenue restaurants, cafes and pubs. The coasters include an image of a motorcycle, the words Hospitality, Tranquility and the slogan “Real rebels know when to pipe down.”
The campaign is in response to ongoing complaints Peachland receives during the warm-weather months from patrons and residents on Beach Avenue regarding motorcycles gunning their way out of town.
Fortin stressed this isn’t a campaign against motorcyclists.
“I love riding on a motorcycle too,” she said. “Riding in the open air, there’s nothing like it.”
Fortin said the town wants to let motorcyclists know they’re more than welcome to come to Peachland, and just asks that they visit respectfully and quietly.
Fortin noted communities across Canada are taking their first steps in fighting the noise from motorcycles.
Kelowna council last fall passed the Good Neighbour Bylaw, which specifically addresses loud, roaring or explosive noises from a motor vehicle’s engine or exhaust system.
“We’re just trying a little friendlier approach,” said Fortin.
As a motorcyclist, Fortin understands a certain amount of noise is necessary when starting a bike.
“It’s just the people that like to show off and are extremely loud on purpose to let everybody else know that they’re cool, those ones are the ones that we have trouble with,” she said.
According to Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey of the Kelowna RCMP, preparations are underway to relaunch the Noise Watch Program, which seeks to find a balance between education and enforcement in the community.
Provincially, the RCMP have the power to issue tickets to loud motorcycles.
O’Donaghey noted that, according to Section 7A.01 of the British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, unnecessary noise from a vehicle’s engine, exhaust system, braking components or as a result of the contact of the vehicles tires with the roadway may result in the driver or the vehicle’s registered owner being issued with a violation ticket for $109, which includes two driver penalty points.