Fighting a Losing Battle?

What the hell is going through people’s heads when they group up for an event like the annual UBM Toy Run that was held on September 11? Do they think that an event like that gives them license to behave as if the law does not apply to them?

 

I attended the event, but did not ride in the main run from the Augusta Civic Center to the Windsor fairgrounds. Instead I went to the fairgrounds early to be there when the riders arrived from Augusta and to listen to the distinguished speakers that had been invited.

Governor LePage was there as was Senator Olympia Snow along with a representative from Congressman Mike Michaud’s office.

 

The fairgrounds were packed with people and motorcycles and the toy drop-off was overflowing with donated toys for the kids that will be receiving them at Christmas. Bikes where constantly coming and going to and from the event. As the speakers where addressing the crowd, I was standing in the large group of people in front of the stage listening to them. I was embarrassed by the fact that most of their speeches were drowned out by most of the riders on their motorcycles leaving the fairgrounds. It seems that once they cleared the gate and got straightened out on route 32, a large majority of the riders would accelerate at full throttle through the gears so everyone could hear just how ‘awesome’ their motors sound. The noise was over powering to the point that I could not hear the person next to me talking much less the speakers on the stage.

 

I know this was a motorcycle event and the noise levels are inherently raised when thousands of motorcycles gather together, but the number of motorcycles I observed sporting open exhaust systems was staggering. The only place that it makes sense to run an open exhaust is on a race track if the motor is tuned for it. The street is not the place for them and especially in such a large gathering of motorcycles as the Toy Run. Not to mention that it is illegal to run an unmuffled system on the highways of Maine. It is no wonder that the quiet pipers are in a rage after being assaulted by such a display of lawlessness.

 

This total disregard for the law is the bane of the work done in Augusta by UBM and the Maine Motorcyclist Political Action Committee. It is extremely difficult to defend against onerous bills such as the EPA label bill promoted by the citizens of Maine who are fed up with the outrageous noise levels they are subjected to by the riders who don’t seem to understand the consequences of their actions. We as the riding community have to start taking responsibility for what is a serious problem. We have to start speaking out to the riders that chose to run straight pipes or high flow exhaust systems that are extremely loud. Let’s make them aware that they are the reason that we face the possibility of losing the ability to modify our bikes if they persist in flaunting the law. If we don’t start trying to correct the problem ourselves, then the quiet pipers and the state legislature will end up solving it for us and I guarantee we will not like the result of that exercise in democracy.

 

  

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Papa Juliet on March 6, 2012 at 1:47pm

I don't think that Mr. Holtsclaw's position constitutes "rambling". Mr. Holtsclaw had enough courage and dedication to Law Enforcement to stand up to the small but loud special-interest group that has become the biker community. He was betrayed by a cowardly City Government that turned it's back on the rights of its citizens and instead did the bidding of biker community. The City of Houston was hoodwinked and intimidated into dismissing Officer Holtsclaw after a long and exemplary career. You may not agree with the existing laws that address noise and disturbing the peace, but Officer Holtsclaw was doing his job. Which is more than we can say about most Police Officers. You are getting away with your petty criminal pastime for now. But don't confuse that with doing the right thing. The tide is turning against clueless and self-centered noise mongers.

And to Artlee: If you don't get the absurdity of a member of the Biker Community asking me or anyone  if they "have no decency?", I can't help you. That question alone tells me much about your mentality. Do you think that operating a motor vehicle that emits 100+ decibels without any constraints and without regard to anyone within a 1/2 mile radius is the trait of a person with any decency? And if you are not one of the majority of Harley owners that can't separate creating noise from riding a motorcycle, then you have no dog in this fight. If you are one of the noise mongering faux-barbarians, don't question my degree of decency without applying that question to yourself. I don't shatter the peace as a part of my lifestyle. 

Permalink Reply by Mr Phil on March 6, 2012 at 1:54pm



Rickey Holtsclaw said:

Yes, 30 bikes...I probably have more time on the starter button than you do on the road...

Permalink Reply by Dwayne Ray on March 6, 2012 at 2:39pm

Papa J........I don't think you really understand whats going on here. The majority of Maine bikers are getting educated on the whole inspection/exhaust situation...including me. Changing behaviors isn't achieved by ranting and insulting the group you want to change. It just makes people more resistant to the cause. I believe your disrespectful replies do more harm to your cause than good. And as far as your buddy ex officer Holtsclaw...it's no wonder he got dismissed. With an attitude like that... and the power of a badge, is a bad combo. A servant of the people??? To be dismissed from a unionized police force, you have to practically kill someone! He must of been pretty bad, and judging from what I have seen, he probably deserved it. And whats with you and Holtsclaws infactuation with the term "faux-barbarian"? LOL...it's kinda freaking me out.

Papa Juliet said:

I don't think that Mr. Holtsclaw's position constitutes "rambling". Mr. Holtsclaw had enough courage and dedication to Law Enforcement to stand up to the small but loud special-interest group that has become the biker community. He was betrayed by a cowardly City Government that turned it's back on the rights of its citizens and instead did the bidding of biker community. The City of Houston was hoodwinked and intimidated into dismissing Officer Holtsclaw after a long and exemplary career. You may not agree with the existing laws that address noise and disturbing the peace, but Officer Holtsclaw was doing his job. Which is more than we can say about most Police Officers. You are getting away with your petty criminal pastime for now. But don't confuse that with doing the right thing. The tide is turning against clueless and self-centered noise mongers.

And to Artlee: If you don't get the absurdity of a member of the Biker Community asking me or anyone  if they "have no decency?", I can't help you. That question alone tells me much about your mentality. Do you think that operating a motor vehicle that emits 100+ decibels without any constraints and without regard to anyone within a 1/2 mile radius is the trait of a person with any decency? And if you are not one of the majority of Harley owners that can't separate creating noise from riding a motorcycle, then you have no dog in this fight. If you are one of the noise mongering faux-barbarians, don't question my degree of decency without applying that question to yourself. I don't shatter the peace as a part of my lifestyle. 

Permalink Reply by Artlee on March 6, 2012 at 5:08pm



Papa Juliet said:

And to Artlee: If you don't get the absurdity of a member of the Biker Community asking me or anyone  if they "have no decency?", I can't help you.

Why? Are you the only one allowed to ask questions? Biker community? I do ride a motorcycle.

That question alone tells me much about your mentality.

There you go again, always the insults.

 Do you think that operating a motor vehicle that emits 100+ decibels without any constraints and without regard to anyone within a 1/2 mile radius is the trait of a person with any decency?

I don't like that either. Surprised?

And if you are not one of the majority of Harley owners that can't separate creating noise from riding a motorcycle, then you have no dog in this fight.

I do have dog in this fight sir and it has everything to do with your foul manners, insulting everyone on this site out of hand. I have great deal of respect for the members of this site and I find it insulting that you think you can say whatever disrespectful, ignorant thing to them as you see fit. It's wrong.

Permalink Reply by Joshua Herndon on March 6, 2012 at 5:21pm

Papa, I take it that you are defending Rickie against my comment about his rambling in your comment above. It is my opinion that he rambles. Have you read his eleven page letter to his governor?

Also, do not presume to disparage me with comments about getting away with a petty criminal pastime. This is the type of comment that I think precipitated the reference to you insulting the posters here on this board. You don't know me and have no idea what my pasttimes are. You insinuate that I am one of the 'noise mongers' that you and Rickie are railing against and you are WRONG. Did you not read the original post for this thread? I am against the inconsiderate riders who feel it is their right to inflict their excessively loud motorcycle exhaust noise on the general public. I have been fighting for motorcyclist's rights since the late 1970's but I don't feel like anyone has a RIGHT to ride loud. I believe that there has to be mutual respect from both sides if we are ever going to solve this problem. There is a long history of lack of enforcement on law enforcement's part and total disregard for anyone other than self on a lot of the riders part which has created this problem. My dog in this fight is protecting my ability to ride my motorcycle and not be subject to laws that are unworkable, all in the name of a quick fix. I am not against reasonable laws and there are plenty on the books presently that could make an impact on the noise issue. There is however a matter of priority that is applied to enforcing those laws. Noise in the scheme of things is way down on the list when it comes to the limited resources available to law enforcement agencies. That is why I think it is important to work to try and change the mindset of the loud riders and try to show them that they are really the answer to this problem.

 

As for your comment to Artlee. I know Artlee personally and I can tell you he is not one of the loud crowd. He happens to be one of the concerned riders who rides respectfully and he DOES have a dog in this fight because we as riders all have a responsibility to find a solution to the noise issue pertaining to motorcycles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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