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Motorcycle Noise Bill Heads to Governor's Desk

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The 134 Freeway | Photo by melissssaf via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
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The 134 Freeway | Photo by melissssaf via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
Do extremely loud motorcycles bother you? A solution may now be in the fix. The state senate today approved a bill by Senator Fran Pavley (D - Santa Monica) that would give law enforcement a tool to enforce such bikes.

“The noise caused by illegally modified motorcycle exhaust systems is a major quality of life issue across the state,” Pavley said in a statement today. “Basic common sense and decency dictates that when a motorcycle drives by and sets off every car alarm on the street, that is too loud. Additionally, many of the modifications which are aimed at making a bike louder -- for example removing the catalytic converter -- also make the bike exponentially more polluting. This has direct, measurable and negative impacts on public health.”

Her legislation, SB 435, would require motorcycles beginning 2013 to maintain emissions equipment, as required by federal law, and keep the certifying EPA stamp visible.

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One reason why motorcycle tampering is rarely enforced is that they are not subject to smog checks. “In the absence of smog check, or other emissions or noise testing mechanisms for motorcycles in California, it is necessary to establish an enforcement mechanism that does not allow motorcycles to skirt current law,” explained Pavley.

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