The debate over noisy vehicles in Saskatoon is far from over and opposition to a proposed city bylaw that would muzzle motorcycles is growing louder.
The city wants to implement new methods to target excessively loud vehicles but some say that sets a double standard.
Motorcycle rider Neil Nemeth says he doesn’t think the proposed bylaw is being fairly applied. While it’s aimed at cracking down on all vehicles that emit excessive noise a separate provision sets decibel limits for motorcycles.
“The motorcycle no matter what is probably going to fail, where with a vehicle those standards are not going to be applied,” Nemeth says.
City council backed amendments to the noise bylaw during its meeting Monday night.
Nemeth and several other motorcycle riders wrote letters to city council prior to Monday’s meeting questioning why decibel limits between 92 and 100 would specifically apply to motorbikes.
The city says it's because there are national standards and decibel testing methods for motorcycles but not for other types of vehicles.
“There is no similar standard in the nation or North America respecting other passenger vehicles," city solicitor Patricia Warwick told council
Coun. Darren Hill pointed out those decibel standards were created by the motorcycle industry. The city later said it could not be applied to cars simply because there is no proper testing method.
Still, most councillors offered support for the changes.
“We are adopting the practice that has been established in over eight other cities in Canada that allows us, with motorcycles, to do that,” said Coun. Charlie Clark.
But two councillors voted not to support the amendments, arguing that singling out motorcycles would not be fair.
“I’m not going to support the 92 decibels on motorcycles just because if we don’t have the technology to do this for everyone, I don't think we should single out just one,” said Coun. Troy Davies.
