Bylaw change proposed to crack down on noisy motorbikes

Bikers with excessively noisy motorcycles could soon face a $250 fine if Edmonton city council approves a bylaw amendment that sets decibel limits for noise.

An amendment to the community standards bylaw would make it illegal for a motorcycle to be louder than 92 decibels while idling and 96 decibels while in motion.

Council's community services committee will discuss the amendment on June 3. If council approves the bylaw, police will be ready. They have already purchased the equipment needed to measure sound levels, said Edmonton Insp. Brian Lobay.

"We'll be able to actually screen a lot of the bikes on the street thatappear to be excessively loud and it will give us a number to work with here," he said. "So you're either over or you're under. It will be an objective as opposed to a subjective amount."

The changes to the bylaw are an interim measure until the province comes up with its own legislation.

The issue of noisy motorcycles has been an issue in Edmonton for the last number of years, as people have complained about the sound levels coming from bikes with modified pipes and mufflers particularly along Whyte and Jasper Avenues.

A number of riders defend the use of modified pipes, saying they act as a safety measure by making drivers in cars and trucks more aware of their presence.

If the bylaw changes are passed by city council, enforcement could start by July.