Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

February 26

Sides speak up on motorcycle noise

SUSAN M

— By . COVER

Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA — Grace Nowacki of Kennebunk told legislators Tuesday that loud motorcycles scare her.

She hopes they will pass a law to do something about it.

''When I don't have a chance to cover my ears, the noise from the motorcycle hurts my ears very badly,'' the 7-year-old told members of the Legislature's Transportation Committee, standing on a chair to reach the microphone. ''Sometimes, it takes me a very long time to feel right again after a loud motorcycle passes by.''

Grace was one of several people who spoke in support of LD 1675, ''An Act to Reduce Noise Caused by Motorcycles and Improve Public Health.''

Its sponsor, state Sen. Nancy Sullivan, said she hopes the panel can find a solution because her constituents are ''emotionally, physically and mentally affected by motorcycle noise.

''At the very least, we must do something to address motorcycle noise, and I am hopeful for a solution,'' she said.

The Biddeford Democrat's bill is a concept draft, which means it seeks a solution to a problem but outlines no specifics.

Those who testified complained of motorcycles so loud that they drown out coffee shop conversations, elevate blood pressure and keep people from using outdoor patios, particularly in southern Maine.

The bill drew opposition from the United Bikers of Maine.

Eric Fuller -- chairman of the Maine Motorcycle Political Action Committee, which is affiliated with the United Bikers -- said car alarms and lawn mowers also produce loud noise, yet motorcycles are being singled out.

''Maybe, just maybe, it's time to use the laws already on the books,'' he said.

State police Lt. Chris Grotton testified neither for nor against the bill, saying he will bring more information to the committee's work session on Friday.

''We support the development and implementation of an objective, reasonable, enforceable policy to reduce the frustrations created by this problem,'' he said.

State Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, who represents Munjoy Hill and downtown, said she has spent a year working on ways to address the problem of motorcycle noise.

She suggested a pilot project using a sound test created by the Society of Automotive Engineers and backed by Harley-Davidson.

Also, she said, motorcycles should be required to have inspection stickers displayed, just as cars do.

Russell said while most bikers are responsible, a small group has made it necessary to find a way to crack down on excessive noise.

MaineToday Media State House Reporter Susan Cover can be contacted at 620-7015 or at:

scover@centralmaine.comState Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, said she has spent a year working on ways to address the problem of motorcycle noise.