Loud motorcycle pipes can save lives

[speed]

To the editor:

This letter is in response to a recent letter authored by Claire Unsinn (Aug. 26) regarding motorcycle loudness and the effect it had on her visit to Newburyport.

First and foremost, this person has a problem with motorcycles passing by her Route 1-area residence in Kennebunk, Maine. Route 1 is one of the busiest north/south routes in Maine, particularly in that area, so one of her options is to move. Also, she has been a vocal opponent of motorcycles on Route 1, especially for many who are headed to Bentley's Saloon. Just for the record, many times there are groups of motorcycles from Bentley's going on charity rides for organizations such as the Victory Junction Gang (recently) to raise money for camps for terminally ill children (NASCAR is also very involved in this charity) and the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital. There seems to be a movement by local NIMBYs who, for one reason or another, feel that motorcycles shouldn't be on the road, period.

If we are going to be discussing nuisances, how about the decibel reading on a commercial mower that will be in the same area for hours at a time and not just briefly passing by? Now those on Route 1A in Rye, N.H., have also jumped on the bandwagon, and I can assure you it will take far longer than a few hours to mow those perfectly manicured lawns!

We would be willing to bet that if anyone thinks hard and long enough, they could find something that annoys them.

Yes, there are many motorcycles that are excessively loud and could be ticketed. The other side of the coin is that people sometimes do not know a motorcycle is approaching unless they can hear it because they are so busy texting, talking on their cell phone, eating or otherwise engaged while they are in command of a one-ton weapon, not to mention those who run stop and yield signs and red lights.

So, as with any other argument, there are always two sides to the story, and loud pipes can and do save lives!

By the way, we were just wondering, did Ms. Unsinn walk or pedal her bike from Kennebunk? We would be willing to bet that she got far less than 50 miles to the gallon in her vehicle and also, in response to her air pollution argument, there are many gas-powered engines that contribute much more to pollution than motorcycles, including airplanes and boats. Motorcyclists have a very short riding season, so, as the saying goes, share the road.

BILL AND PAULA PARKER
Amesbury

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Cheers,
Speed