Survey – The Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) has just launched a survey that asks riders for their opinions on statements regarding road closures & motorcycle noise.
FEMA comment that in several European countries (like Germany and the Netherlands) more and more roads are closed for motorcycles, partly due to complaints about excessive motorcycle noise.
Statement Opinion
- It makes sense that roads are closed for motorcyclists when excessive motorcycle noise leads to complaints.
- To prevent road closures for motorcyclists because of excessive motorcycle noise, the authorities should actively enforce noise laws and target motorcyclists that produce excessive noise.
- How do you think road closures for motorcyclists can be prevented?
The short survey goes on to ask:
- Whether your main motorcycle has an original exhaust system or it is tampered with or an after-market exhaust system tampered with or has an aftermarket exhaust system that can be adjusted, for instance by a valve that can be opened or closed.
- Does your country have a mandatory periodic technical inspection (PTI) eg MoT in the UK for motorcycles?
- Have you ever been stopped by the police for a roadside test of your exhaust system?
- Have you ever been fined for excessive motorcycle noise? *
- A number of motorcyclists believe that they can make themselves more conspicuous in traffic by modifying their motorcycle exhaust systems to produce an higher level of sound. What do you think about the slogan ‘loud pipes save lives’? Whether you agree or disagree.
- In which country do you live?
- What is your age group?
FEMA gives a link to the background issue to their survey – Sound is a sensitive issue in our motorcycle world – which apart from technical and legislative issue also looks at the issue of loud pipes and asks the question – Sound or noise? – “Sound is a sensitive issue in our motorcycle world, and has been for a long time.
Who doesn’t remember the ‘loud is out’ campaigns at the beginning of this century?
For some people the sound of their motorcycle cannot be loud enough. It is part of the motorcycle experience and of course ‘loud pipes save lives’.
Other people have different opinions. Some of our member organizations even received complaints from riders and clubs about the noise that was made by other riders.
Of course, fear about the image of motorcyclists plays a part in this. And then of course there are people who do not ride and claim the sound of our bikes constitutes an infringement of their well-being and health.”
At Motorcycle Minds, we also looked at the issue recently – Emissions Targets – Really A Sound Issue
The Loud Pipes – Silent Running
In the UK parliament in November 2017 Lord Laird asked a question regarding motorcycle noise:
“To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have to reduce the noise level of motorcycles on public roads.”
The reply from Baroness Sugg was:
“Technical standards for noise from new motorcycles are set at an International level by both the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). These provisions were updated in 2014 and took effect for new machines from 2016.
The European Commission is planning to introduce new legislation concerning emissions and noise from motorcycles. An independent research-based investigation is currently underway to establish the noise limits and these are expected to take effect in 2020. We anticipate these will be implemented through the UNECE where the UK will continue to play a key role beyond our withdrawal from the EU.
The motorcycle industry is represented at the UNECE discussions and Department for Transport officials also hold routine discussions with them outside this forum.”
The two issues involved are identified in this question and answer. The perception of motorcycles being noisy, whether Lord Laird was referring to motorcycles fitted with aftermarket or modified “loud exhausts”.
We would agree with the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) General Secretary, Dolf Willigers, when he stated in the article Sound is a sensitive issue in our motorcycle world?
“Also, without being moralistic, I want to raise awareness that sound can change to noise. In the perception of one person this happens a bit sooner than in the perception of another person.
Too much noise leads to annoyance, health complaints and eventually to counter measures, like closing off roads or even towns for motorcycles. We have seen this already in the Netherlands and Germany.
That will hurt us all. For FEMA the standards do not need to be lowered again, but from excessive noise everybody suffers, we riders as well. Think about that before you remove that dB-killer or if you mount an illegal exhaust pipe.”
The issue in our minds is around the perceived noise, which is bad, what is sound, perceived by motorcyclists as good as riders’ change, remove, replace or tamper either whole exhaust systems or parts of the system – headers – catalyst – end cans – availability of “illegal” aftermarket replacements – engine management etc.
Dare we mention “Loud Pipes Save Lives”.
Continuing from our own article – We can always remember – Loud Pipes Saves Lives – as an accepted ingrained belief, faith and philosophy in the statement itself, from riders and certain rider organisations. Times have changed and riders now have different viewpoints on whether they do save lives – the debate rages on!
As far back as 2003 the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) agreed that excessive motorcycle noise is a serious issue in some communities, that it may become an issue in many more, and that the potential exists for it to affect motorcyclists’ rights nationwide.
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) in the UK in its recent members magazine “The Road” (54-55) asked two questions “contentious stuff” following their FEMA representative’s attendance at an all-day conference at a joint international working group with FEMA – FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme) – FIVA (Federation Internationale de Vehicules Anciens):
“Should riders argue for greater enforcement of current noise regulations to reduce the number of illegal exhaust systems being used on public roads, and possibly damaging the image of motorcyclists?”
“Should we try to make loud exhausts as unacceptable as smoking in an enclosed space or even dare to compare illegal pipe users to drink-drivers, where drinking and driving, even though it was frowned upon, was once an acceptable activity. Perhaps this strategy would reduce unwanted noise and show authorities that we actively encourage and support compliance. “
Our answer is to both these questions is no!
Especially as we wrote to Lord Laird and Baroness Sugg. We received a reply from the Department for Transport (DfT):
“Under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended, motorcycles are required to meet strict noise limits before they are permitted to enter into service. Once in service, Regulation 54 requires exhausts and silencers to be maintained in good working order and not altered so as to increase noise. In addition, replacement exhaust silencers are required to be marked to show compliance with European or British Standard noise limits and silencers intended for off road use have to be marked to indicate this. Silencers that are totally unmarked, do not show a European or British Standard noise mark, or are marked “not for road use”, may not be used on the road.”
“During the MOT test, exhausts and silencers are checked and a machine should fail if it emits noise that is unreasonably higher than a similar one fitted with a silencer in average condition or if the silencer or the exhaust does not have a marking suitable for the age or use of the machine. Outside the MOT the police have powers to take action under Regulation 54, if they suspect the exhaust has been altered, or under Regulation 97, if the machine is making excessive noise which could be avoided through reasonable driver care.”
“The police also have powers to address noise nuisance under the Police Reform Act 2002 and the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. We recommend that these problems should be drawn to the attention of the police to ensure they are given an appropriate priority.”
As we knew there is sufficient enforcement in place and why would you want to “demonise” motorcyclists and encourage specific targeting and profiling of riders out on the public road?
FEMA viewpoint on this, which was published in the UK’s British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) members magazine, from a FEMA meeting in October 2017:
“All were in agreement that the “loud pipes saves lives” argument was obsolete – and the idea was universally condemned by delegates”
Our full article – Emissions Targets – Really A Sound Issue – specifically looked at the ACEM, representatives of the motorcycle industry in Europe, position on amending emissions in a European regulation. We also look at the problems that are facing motorcyclists in terms of emissions requirements, not just noxious gases but also noise
How these are regulated and controlled is a point of discussion as was set out in the article. The issue really is how we as riders deal with these problems of modern day life.
They exist, they are not going away, so do we adapt?
Or maybe we just need to find a way to fit in?
Smart guy/girl who has the answer.
FEMA now appears to be trying to find an answer and is now gauging rider’s response to their opinions – fill in the survey and let FEMA know your opinion on their statements and answer their questions regarding road closures & motorcycle noise.
The FEMA survey closes on Saturday 1st September 2018.
FEMA’s survey on road closures & motorcycle noise
Loud Pipes Not So Much
Meanwhile we picked up via the rider group in Germany Biker Union e.V. is a video from the German Motorcycle Industry Association e.V. who represent the German motorcycle industry: manufacturers and importers of motorcycles and scooters, as well as manufacturers and importers of motorcycle gear and motorcycle equipment.
Loud is Out! – which makes the point of not riding through villages with loud exhausts giving more consideration with the real threats of road bans.
Full article – Via Google Translate – Loud is out – and more up-to-date than ever
Bob have a read through the “Science Of Being Seen” – SOBS.
“SOBS looks at the problem of collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles (which are usually cars) at junctions. Most of these collisions are ‘Right Of Way Violations’ (ROWV) where the driver turns across a motorcycle’s path. ‘Sorry mate I didn’t see you’ is the most commonest explanation offered by the driver, which has led to these collisions being given their own popular name – SMIDSY, from the initial letters.”
https://scienceofbeingseen.wordpress.com/
I am retired being some 69 years old and have been riding motorcycles on the road since the 1960’s. I learned riding with the RAC/ACU Motorcycle training scheme. 13 weeks 2 hours week plus ride outs with the group and all training was about defensive riding. That basically means being none aggressive. Only using some 70% 0f one’s ability, not pushing the envelope and perhaps using even less than 70% of the bikes power. In those days a 500cc machine in general would do about 75/80 mph [ if lucky] and then the cafe racers and the big 650’s were getting the ton and sometimes slightly more. The fastest production bike in 1969 was a Royal Enfield Constellation which was capable of 115 mph, with some 59 bhp at the wrist.
I have never been a believer in loud pipes and can say never had one and never needed one. I ride respectfully about myself and other road users and have only once been involved in a smidsy in 1983. I ride defensively and am able by my speed and position, which is generally some distance behind any vehicle ahead so that I can more road users easily, Seeing and identifying a potential danger early means that I can make slight differences to speed, position, gear etc to reduce or alleviate the risk of being hit. Because of my road positioning more road users can see me. If in doubt, even when a driver seems to be looking at me I will slow, move position, sometimes sound my horn etc and pass safely with ease. Usually with a thank you acknowledgement for their courtesy for not pulling out. on me. That gives us as motorcyclists an improved image and drivers are more than likely to give others a courtesy again.
I have heard loud pipes all my life and must say to they do nothing for me. I also think that those that believe in loud pipes and being heard are mistaken as they rely on the noise to advertise their presence too much. They therefore fail to recognise the potential dangers that they may cause by their reliance on merely having loud pipes.and not riding appropriately. I have seen and heard many of them and many of them are dangerous riders who take their lives less serious and the feelings of loved ones and just create a problem for themselves and other road users. As they say an empty vessel makes most noise.
Its too late when in Hospital arguing that you were in the right but not seen and more importantly argue the point that the driver should have heard you coming?????
Come on get real. Ride properly and one would not suffer from possible smidsys. Alter your attitude and state of mind to be more savvy and road safe. Ride the road with respect and respect the danger and of all who are on it and ride accordingly.
By the way we all believe that its only bikers that suffer smidsys at junctions but that is not the case. The vast majority of smidsys are of car to car and we are well down the list of suffering them.
OK. I’m a biker that tries to ride all year round and not just a fair weather biker.
I’m coming up for retirement and have been riding since I was 16…….you can do the maths on that.
I have had sports bikes in the past but prefer the custom cruisers I’ve had over the last 18 years.
I’m a firm believer that loud pipes save lives.
I have been in too many situations where the old excuse from car drivers was “I didn’t see you mate”.
I ride with full headlights on but it makes no difference. The police have been taking the view that car drivers using that cliché excuse should be taking an eye sight test. As that has become more prevalent drivers are now saying “sorry I didn’t hear you mate”.
This is an observation also being made by insurance brokers on accident claim forms…….they didn’t hear a bike coming.
I have also had more aggression directed at me for lack of noise and people not hearing me and being frightened when I “pop up out of nowhere”.