Complaints of loud motorcycles have prompted the Casper City Council to propose a new ordinance that would limit vehicle noise within city limits. Casper City Council met two weeks ago to discuss the new ordinance, mentioning a desire to limit exhaust fumes and noise.

An article in the Casper Journal described the new ordinance, specifically mentioning how motorcyclists and motorists will be affected. New regulations in Casper would require all vehicles to use mufflers that meet Environmental Protection Agency regulations. In addition to requiring mufflers, Casper law enforcement would be given more authority and discretion to pull over loud motorcycles for suspected speeding.

City Council members claimed to have modeled the ordinance off an existing one in Fort Collins, Colorado, but with a few adjustments. Under the altered ordinance, police officers would have more flexibility to connect loud motorcycles with speeding.

Can Noise Help Prevent Motorcycle Accidents?

Having a loud motorcycle does have benefits, most notably by increasing visibility to other drivers. Quiet motorcycles might present a safety risk, making it more difficult for motorists to spot riders. A majority of motorcycle accidents happen when motorists fail to spot riders.

In 2008, Casper City Council tried to pass a very similar ordinance. After protests from motorcyclists, who were concerned about their safety, the Casper City Council abandoned the ordinance. One of the riders present during the 2008 protest was quoted as saying, “Loud pipes save lives.”

That quote has some truth. A 2009 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety report found that vehicles turning left in front of motorcyclists caused 42 percent of motorcycle accidents.

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