Have your motorcycle tested for excessive noise

News Release
Have your motorcycle tested for excessive noise
The Edmonton Police Service will be conducting a free noise level testing clinic for motorcycles to help owners determine whether their bikes are compliant with the City of Edmonton Community Standards Noise Bylaw.

“The noise testing clinic provides a good opportunity for motorcycle owners to have their bikes checked for excessive noise emission, and to learn how to bring them up to industry and community standards,” says Const. Vince Pillay with the EPS Traffic Section. “Motorcycles off the assembly line already meet the industry standard for acceptable noise levels. The problems occur when owners modify their motorcycles with loud exhaust systems, and then citizens complain about the excessive noise.”

Motorcycle noise testing, education and enforcement are part of the EPS response to citizen concerns regarding excessive noise and its impact on quality of life. Citizen concerns came to the forefront when the City of Edmonton amended the Community Standards Bylaw in 2010 to deal with excessive motorcycle noise.

The motorcycle noise testing method, the SAE J2825, was developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and is endorsed by the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council (MMIC). It represents a simple, fair, and consistent method of identifying motorcycles with excessively loud exhaust systems.

The SAE J2825 is a stationary roadside test that is conducted by a specially-trained Traffic Section Officer, and involves holding a sound meter behind the exhaust outlet at idle (to screen mufflers), or at a set RPM (to identify excessively loud exhaust systems). Edmonton’s Community Standards Bylaw 14600 18.1 (a) and (b) are based on industry noise standards of a maximum 92 db (A) at idle and 96 db (A) above idle.

Motorcyclists are invited to attend the free EPS Motorcycle Excessive Noise Level Testing Clinic to learn more and have their bikes’ noise emissions checked. Motorcycle owners whose bikes are not compliant with the City of Edmonton Community Standards Bylaw will not be issued a ticket by police at the testing clinic. Noise testing for motorcycles is also available year-round from Echo Cycle at 15311 – 118 Avenue.

Motorcycle Excessive Noise Level Testing Clinic
NAIT Souch Campus Parking Lot, 7110 Gateway Boulevard
Saturday, May 24, 2014, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Weather permitting, will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather

In 2013, 125 noise tickets were issued to motorcycle owners under the Community Standards Bylaw, and 137 noise-related tickets were issued to other motor vehicle owners under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act. Since July 1, 2010, there have been 371 Community Bylaw and 763 Traffic Safety Act noise-related tickets issued.

For more information, please visit http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/excessivevehiclenoise.