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By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com
The state legislature is taking on the issue of loud exhaust pipes on motorcycles. Separate bills proposed in the General Assembly by Sen. John Fonfara (D-1st District) and Sen. Kevin Kelly (R-21st District) would, respectively, “prevent the operation of motorcycles with tail pipes that violate maximum legal noise levels” and “prevent the operation of motorcycles with illegally loud tail pipes.”
Proposed Bills No. 821 and No. 826 would both “prohibit the issuance of a safety inspection sticker or registration plate for any motorcycle on which the manufacturer’s imprint on the tail pipe and on the motorcycle do not match.” Aftermarket exhausts would be permissable provided they “do not exceed state decibel limits.”
Additionally, there is Proposed Bill No. 6214, introduced by Rep. Hector Robles (D-6th District), which would require anyone registering a motorcycle to possess a valid driver’s license with motorcycle endorsement.
The state legislature is also tackling some ATV issues:
Proposed Bill No. 715, introduced by Sen. Edward Meyer (D-12th District), would create a registration system for ATVs and the proceeds “from registration fees would be used to construct and maintain dedicated ATV trails.”
Proposed Bill No. 811, introduced by Sen. Len Fasano (R-34th District), would “double fines for the unauthorized use of all-terrain vehicles on muncipal or private property,” and authorize authorities to tow or remove ATVs.
Proposed Bill No. 820, introduced by Sen. Edith Prague (D-19th District), would require that ATVs and dirt bikes be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles and would also require operators of ATVs and dirt bikes be licensed.
All six bills have been referred to the General Assembly’s Committee on Transportation.
Update: Rich Paukner of the Connecticut Motorcycle Riders Association notes that the Transportation Committee plans a public hearing at 10 a.m. Monday on 81 bills, including Proposed Bill No. 821 and No. 6214.
Carl, so you’ve learned the mantra obviously. I know Carl, we even ride together, and are practically neighbors. Your Harley has straight pipes, and it’s LOUD. Don’t you think this is the reason for the public to propose laws to do something about it? You’ve been rear ended TWICE in the last year, and your pipes face rearward, hows that working for you. We need to use some moderation of the noise we make, or the politicians will do it for us. It’s happening regularly around the country.