May 1, 2006
Noise Free America
For immediate release
Contact:
Ted Rueter
877-NOISE-NO
[email protected]
Madison: Harley-Davidson has won this month’s Noisy Dozen award from Noise Free America for announcing plans to open its first retail outlet in China. Harley-Davidson will thunder into China in April, bringing obnoxious noise, air pollution, and clogged traffic.
Ted Rueter, Noise Free America’s director, commented that “the United States is already overrun with noisy, loathsome motorcycles. It is truly unfortunate that China is headed down the same loud, destructive path.”
Harley’s dealership will be located in Beijing’s Fourth Ring Road, just outside the downtown area, and just within the limits of where motorcycles are allowed.
The company concedes that they face major obstacles to blasting through China. One is that 170 Chinese cities limit or ban motorcycle use or ownership. Motorcycles have been banned from almost all streets in Shanghai. Also, Harley plans to sell its noisy machines for $20,000–in a country where most workers earn around $1,000 a year.
“Motorcycles are a major element in the culture of noise,” said Ted Rueter. “By allowing Harley-Davidson to enter its market, China will experience greater levels of hearing loss, sleep deprivation, irritation, and chronic fatigue. By allowing these noise machines, China is making a huge mistake.”
Noise Free America is a national citizens organization devoted to opposing noise pollution. Its web site is http://noisefree.org. Past “winners” of the Noisy Dozen award include Echo Manufacturing and Congressman Darrell Issa.