BC and loud pipes potential new law

[d.n.f.]

Don’t be fooled into thinking "This doesn’t apply to me!"

MLA Lorne Mayencourt has put forth a private members bill to lower the
decibel level from 91 to 85. The bill can be found here:
http://www.leg.bc.ca/38th3rd/1st_read/m203-1.htm

Before you think it only applies to the "Loud Pipes Save Lives" advocates
please be aware that many bikes including Hondas and Yamahas that are stock
are failing the hand held decibel meter test in the City of Vancouver. At
present in Canada motorcyclists are left to be subjected to a test that has
no standard. The Motorcycle Moped Industry Council is presently working on
this.

While BCCOM does not support illegal pipes, it also must protect the rights
of motorcyclists from a bill that will only further escalate the problem
with a flawed testing system. The issue here is enforcement of legislation
that is already in place, use it!

The Coalition asks that you take the time to email your MLA to say you do
not agree with this bill and to use the legislation already in place.

Please follow this link to find out who your MLA is:
http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm

Adele Tompkins,
Executive Director
B.C. Coalition of Motorcyclists
adele@bccom-bc.com
1-877-580-0111

"Working for your Freedom to Ride"

[HDangel]

thanks for the post d.n.f.
being just south of the border, i had no idea they did decible testing.

[Kate]

That would really suck.

[d.n.f.]

Hey Calli, nice to see (read) you again.

[Mungo]

That really would suck.

It's amazing, I've debated with other bikers over the pipes issue. Other bikers!

Yeah, in a perfect world, we'd be able to sit out on a sidewalk cafe and be able to carry on a nice conversation without yelling. But unfortunately, there is a growing problem of irresponsible divers facing even more distractions while driving a 4,000lb vehicle down the road.

I don't believe that "Loud Pipes Save Lives" all by themselves. But in defense of the argument, here is what I say. As a pilot, we learn of something known as "situational awareness". This is essentially making a virtual image in your head of your surroundings by taking into consideration air traffic on the radio, the air traffic controllers, your instruments, what you hear, and what you see.

It's a fact that there is an issue with the new hybrid cars out there being too quiet. When they are stopped, the engine cuts off, and if the accelerate slowly, the car is running off the electrical engine. This has accounted for an increasing number of accidents because a pedestrian doesn't immediately recognize danger by hearing an automobile engine.

Loud pipes themselves don't save lives, but they do contribute to a person's awareness that something they may not see could be present. They contribute to a automobile driver's "situational awareness".

I myself, if I hear a rumble, even a faint one, and I can't see a motorcycle, I begin actually looking for one.

Granted, the pipes argument could be more effective yes, if the exhaust were pointed forward. And no, not everyone hears them, but they do contribute.

And with the increasing number of idiots talking on cell phones, dialing in their favorite XM radio station, listening to their GPS while trying to quieten down their kids in the back seat, I'm beginning to be an even bigger proponent of even louder pipes.


Sorry if I ranted... but with the number of times people pull out in front of me, or change into my lanes, I'd really love to shove this type of legislation up the law makers asses. And I think it's sort of ironic, that more and more people are being run over by these new hybrid vehicles.