Loud motorcycles serve as an alert to motorists, reader says

Q

Since car drivers often don’t notice motorcycles, bikers tend to put on loud mufflers so that they can be heard on a freeway. They claim it’s effective. In fact, a motorcycle safety instructor I know is a strong believer in this theory and has a couple of loud bikes.

When I was hit by a texting driver on the freeway, I still wonder if I had been riding a loud bike, she would have noticed me before plowing into me and breaking multiple bones.

Most motorcyclists with loud bikes aren’t trying to show off but believe it’s another layer of protection.

— Bonnie Bates, Los Gatos

A

I hear this often, and there is merit to this argument. But that unmuffled noise can ruin the quiet of nearby residents, especially during the early morning or late

evening hours, and can easily increase noise emissions to over 100 dBA.

One hour of exposure to noise levels at 94 decibels — akin to mowing your lawn — can damage your hearing. If the noise is 100 decibels, it only takes 15 minutes for hearing damage to occur.

The excessive noise of many illegally modified motorcycles can be heard for miles, posing a severe public nuisance and health hazard and adversely impacting the public’s quality of life, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Nearly two of five motorcycle owners replace or modify their exhaust systems with loud pipes.

Q

I have been riding motorcycles with unmodified pipes since 1992. In January, I was diagnosed with significant inner ear hearing loss in both ears. I’ve been working in tech all my life, and I’m quite sure the fan of my laptop did not cause this.

So yeah, for the juvenile rider’s sake as well, get rid of those loud pipes.

— John Kelly

A

And…

Q

Police never enforce this law. I think they secretly enjoy the racket. After all, most are guys and perhaps they feel they have more important things to do. But all this noise is truly nervewracking, and the public deserves better. Shame on them.

I actually think the loud pipes are good for motorcyclists when lanesplitting — not that I like the noise either, but as a driver on the freeway moving fast with windows up, the noise alerts me more quickly than scanning my mirrors that they are there.

— Claire Wright, San Jose

A

Here’s an idea on how to check motorcycles.

Q

If cars must obtain smog checks every two years, then why can’t motorcycles be required to have their mufflers checked for loudness with the same frequency?

CraigErb, Morgan Hill

A

Hmmm. Then the state could more easily slap that new $1,000 fine for exceeding the noise level.

Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/ mr.roadshow, or contact him at mrroadshow@ bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.