Another Canadian city has announced an impending crackdown on loud pipes. This time, the Vancouver police department says they’re going to tackle the issue.
As our archives show, Canadian municipalities are increasingly growing tired of raucous motorcycles. Despite the alleged life-saving properties of loud pipes, there are more cities taking up the fight against noisy bikes every year.
Vancouver is the latest city that’s fed up. Yesterday, the city’s police force announced a summer-long campaign against loud vehicles, with tickets coming towards motorcycles and cars that don’t meet noise standards. According to the VPD spokesthingie, “The sound of unreasonably and unnecessarily loud motorcycle and car exhaust has the tendency to disturb the peace, enjoyment and the quality of life of those who live, work and visit Vancouver. There is no question that for some residents, such as those living in the downtown core, the debilitating sounds from these vehicles can significantly affect the enjoyment of their property.” At least officers won’t be singling out bikes, but are going after all vehicular offenders.
What will a conviction cost you? According to the VPD’s press release, “In the Province of British Columbia, unnecessary noise from a vehicle’s engine, tires, brakes, or exhaust may result in a violation ticket for $109 plus 3 points.” In other words, you get points off your licence for having loud pipes, which is perhaps an even more harsh punishment than any fine, as repeated convictions could mean you have to park your ride. At least that’s an effective way of stopping the problem?
In case you wondered, here’s what BC’s Motor Vehicle Act has to say about mufflers:
Muffler
7.03 (1) A motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine shall be equipped with an exhaust muffler consisting of a series of pipes or chambers which ensures that the exhaust gases from the engine are cooled and expelled without excessive noise.
Cut-outs prohibited
(2) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine when the muffler with which the vehicle is equipped is cut out or disconnected from the engine.
Part removal prohibited
(3) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine equipped with a muffler from which has been removed any baffle plate or other part.
Alteration prohibited
(4) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine equipped with a muffler the exhaust outlet of which has been opened or widened.
Noise increase or flames prohibited
(5) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine equipped with a muffler or exhaust system to which is attached any device which increases the noise of the expulsion of the gases from the engine or allows a flame to be emitted from the exhaust system.
How about going after those drivers that “didn’t see you coming ” lame excuse!!
hmmmm
That’ll get all the criminals off the street. What a waste of time, money and resources.
I ride. Twice last week while driving my van – radio on, windows closed I heard a bike coming up on me. Shoulder checked, checked mirrors, saw nothing. Checked again, there they were. Blind spots. If I hadn’t heard, I wouldn’t have seen them and maybe flipped a lane change on them. Loud pipes save lives IMO.
A smart rider would make an effort to avoid blind spots rather than depending on the noise of their exhaust to make their presence known.
ya I own a few bikes, and they all have DB killers in the after market exhaust mufflers, they go in and they go out… wish everyone understood that..
As long as you adhere by the bylaw of noise at certain hrs. Who cares. Trucks, construction, aircraft all are loud. Follow you noise bylaws man. Now let’s go biking
Good move. I wish Ottawa would do the same. Stupid loud Harleys and customs have no place in the tight city streets where every noise is echoed by the buildings. Away with them.
J’adore le son de ma moto mais j’oblige pas les autres à l’aimer 😉
I love the sound of my bike ,
I dońt force anyone to love it 😉
Russell Brown
They may have difficulty enforcing those laws “as written” unless the term “… excessive noise” is defined in a manner that can be objectively measured. Straight pipes won’t pass, anything else is open to interpretation.
Tien le Québec déteint
91db eh…maximum. No bike revved high enough will be under that.
That’s never how any sound test works that I’ve heard of. They check them at a reasonable RPM, although it’s true that raising the engine speed will change the noise level.
Im aware of certain levels, idle, 2000, 5000. The problem is, I cannot find anything anywhere that states at what level the test is done in bc. If you or anyone else can, I would greatly like to know.
Nothing better to do
Wayne Doyle,loud pipes don’t save lives,,they just piss people off…
A f****** lot !!!
Try driving a bike first, then comment. There are countless drivers who are in accidents with motorcycles and they always say ” I didn’t see the bike” well if you don’t see me coming you will damn well hear me!!!
David Black that’s not how sound works. Most cars don’t hit a bike they catch up to (most of the noise is directed at the rear of motorcycle) and most people don’t drive with windows down listening for bikes.
Reflective gear and defensive driving and motorcycle awareness programs save lives. 🙂
David Black,if your comment was directed at me,I have 25 years of riding experience. Try getting all the facts,then comment.
You know, I used to think this kind of enforcement was stupid. Then I started working shift work, and some jackwad in the neighbourhood decides he’s all cool by cracking the throttle on his straight-pipe gixxer at 7am.
Time and place, douchenozzle,