Motorcycles, and their riders, make a lot of noise. That noise can be damaging to your hearing and can scare pedestrians, wake up an entire neighborhood, and disturb people’s peaceful enjoyment of their homes. It’s also dangerous to people’s health and safety. For this reason, it’s important to reduce the noise level of motorcycles.
Excessive motorcycle noise can cause hearing damage
One out of 10 people in the United States has hearing loss. One of the main causes is excessive motorcycle noise. The sound produced by a motorcycle at highway speeds can exceed 100 decibels, which is equivalent to the sound produced by a chainsaw operating at close range. Exposure to this amount of noise is not only dangerous but can lead to permanent hearing damage.
The level of noise caused by wind can also be damaging to hearing. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warns that exposure to sound levels over 100 decibels for 15 minutes can lead to permanent hearing loss. Exposure to such sounds can also lead to tinnitus.
It can scare pedestrians
Motorcycles emit loud noises, which are designed to alert other drivers of their presence. However, loud motorcycles can also scare pedestrians, especially in the evening hours. There are some ways to make motorcycle noises less alarming. For starters, you should avoid honking the air horn. This type of noise can freeze wayward pedestrians and charging dogs.
Another way to reduce noise from motorcycles is to use earplugs. Most riders already know that loud noise can be a potential safety hazard and will wear them when riding. However, this is not always practical and can make a motorcycle appear dangerous to pedestrians.
It can wake up a neighborhood
Loud motorcycles can be extremely loud. If you live in an area that is not used to motorcycle noise, you may be concerned about how it will affect your neighbors. You should report loud motorcycles to your local police department. They are the ones who can enforce local noise ordinances. You can also file a complaint on behalf of a group of neighbors.
Motorcyclists on Harleys and other noisy motorcycles are a constant source of annoying noise. Their noise can be heard by nearly everyone in the neighborhood. While this may not seem like a big problem, it can make life a bit more difficult for those around. There are ways to minimize the noise that these noises produce. For starters, avoid wearing loud motorcycle gear, riding in single lane, and wearing a single colour on your bike.
It can save lives
Some riders argue that loud motorcycles save lives. While loud pipes do increase motorcycle safety, they are also a source of noise pollution in residential areas. Nonetheless, loud pipes can make riders more comfortable on the road and help other motorists notice motorcycles. A motorcycle accident attorney can explain the disconnect between drivers and motorcycle riders.
The debate over whether loud pipes save lives is based on a lack of hard data. While the loud pipes can help alert motorists to motorcycles, it is a debate that’s mostly based on anecdotes. Many motorcycle riders and home owners have stories of being nearly struck by a motorcycle that made its exhaust pipes too loud.
