Motorcycles targeted by Charlottetown police

Motorcyclists in Charlottetown had better be certain their bikes meet noise guidelines, police are warning.

Charlottetown Police will be increasing patrols for loud motorbikes this summer and starting an educational campaign. Most of the officers will be equipped with decibel readers to measure the level of sound and give warnings or fines to motorcyclists who are too loud.

"Anything that impacts on the enjoyment by the residents of the city of Charlottetown, of their property and of their city, is important to us," said Coun. Dave MacDonald, chair of the city's police committee.

"Besides being a safety factor, I mean when you're walking around downtown and there's noise you might fail to hear horns, you might fail to hear the street lights for the crossing signals, all those kinds of things. And primarily it's just a question of the laws in place, and part of what we do as a police force is enforce it."

MacDonald said the Charlottetown Police force is teaming up with the provincial highway safety division to offer educational talks. They'll be reminding riders about the noise legislation.

Charlottetown police last announced a crackdown on motorcycle noise in 2007.