Save your Stock exhaust.. You may
need to put them back on your Bike..

 

Dec.
12, 2008

FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact:
Pete terHorst

Phone: (877)

E-mail: peter.terhorst@

 

New York City Council unfairly targets motorcycle sound

PICKERINGTON,
Ohio -- The New York City Council is about to give final approval to a bill
that the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) says discriminates against
motorcyclists and imposes severe, out-of-line penalties.



The AMA also complained that the measure languished in the Council for two
years and then, in a surprise move, was revived just a week before the
scheduled final vote, allowing little opportunity for public comment.



"This is outrageous. This is no way to operate in a democracy,"
said Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager. "The Committee on
Public Safety considered the bill on Dec. 14, 2006, and then suddenly
approves it and sends it to the full Council on Dec. 10, 2008?"



The measure, up for full City Council approval on Thursday, Dec. 18, would
make it illegal for any motorcycle to be on city streets unless it has an
exhaust system with a stamp that states it is approved by the federal
Environmental Protection Agency. Essentially that means the bike must have
a stock exhaust system.



Motorcyclists caught without an EPA-stamped exhaust system would face fines
of up to $1,000 for a first offense and temporary forfeiture of the
motorcycle until the fine is paid. A second offense would result in a fine
of up to $2,500 and permanent forfeiture of the motorcycle.



City officials apparently believe that requiring motorcyclists to have
EPA-approved exhaust systems is easier to enforce than trying to prove a
motorcycle exceeds the city's vaguely defined 80-decibel sound limit.



Szauter stressed that the AMA has long opposed excessive motorcycle sound
and has funded information and public relations campaigns in support of
quiet motorcycle use.



"The issue is that the New York City Council is unfairly singling out
motorcyclists because motorcycles are the only vehicles covered under the
bill," he said. "If New York City officials believe they have a
sound problem, then the problem should be handled through the existing
noise ordinance and not through piecemeal legislation targeting specific
modes of transportation."



Szauter added that requiring motorcycles--and no other motor
vehicles--to have a stock exhaust system is particularly discriminatory.
When the muffler wears out or breaks on a car, the car owner can go to a
local muffler shop and get an aftermarket system that costs much less than
an original equipment system. The proposed New York City law wouldn't allow
a motorcyclist to do that, forcing the motorcyclist to potentially spend
hundreds of dollars more for an original equipment system, assuming that
system is even still available.



"If a motorcyclist can't find a stock system, then the rider faces
stiff fines and forfeiture of the machine, Szauter said. "These
penalties are too severe and out of line when compared with other city
laws."



Szauter urged all New York City motorcyclists to contact their City Council
members immediately and ask that they reject this discriminatory measure.



Concerned motorcyclists living outside the area, especially those who work
in or frequently visit the city, should contact Speaker of City Council
Christine Quinn by telephone at (212) 788-7210; by letter to City Hall, New
York, NY 10007; or by e-mail by visiting http://council.nyc.gov/D3/html/members/home.shtml.




To see the measure, go to http://tinyurl.com/6mo2yo.

About the American Motorcyclist
Association

Since
1924, the AMA has promoted and protected the motorcycling lifestyle. AMA
members come from all walks of life and they navigate many different routes
on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the
world's largest motorcycle organization with nearly 300,000 members, the
AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and
federal government, the committees of international governing organizations
and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and
partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition events than any
other organization in the world. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.
For more information, visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.