September 1, 2011
Noise Free America
www.noisefree.org
For immediate release
Contact:
Kevin Keefe
[email protected]
Ted Rueter
877-664-7366
[email protected]
Albany: Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson in Loveland, Colorado has won this month’s Noisy Dozen award from Noise Free America for sponsoring the 7th annual “Thunder in the Rockies,” from September 2 to September 5. Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson is the largest Harley-Davidson dealer in Colorado and the fourth largest in the world. Its four-days of “non-stop entertainment” will, in reality, be four days of non-stop noise. A crowd of 30,000 is expected.
The “Thunder in the Rockies” event has something for every noise-lover. Motorcycle “enthusiasts” and “hard-core bikers” can enjoy such events as the “Full Throttle Saloon,” a “suicidal lifestyles” stunt show,” midget wrestling, a “burnout pit,” and a tattoo contest. For lovers of female flesh, there will be a bikini car wash, a “Dunk a Hooters Girl” dunk tank, a Hooters wing-eating contest, and a “Miss Thunder in the Rockies” pageant. There will be over 100 biker-related product and service vendors. Musical Entertainment will be provided by Vince Neil of Motley Crue.
Apparently, these individuals are very proud of their altered exhaust systems, because they want all of us to hear the illegal noise which they produce. They parade by businesses, hospitals, and our neighborhoods, seemingly oblivious to the obnoxious noise they produce.”
Keefe noted that Colorado law and federal law “make it illegal to alter an exhaust system to cause an increase in noise. If it is illegal, how do these motorcycles constantly get away with it? I believe that most people assume that motorcycles are naturally noisy and that nothing can be done about it. That is not true! A legal bike is a quiet bike. All motorcycles are quiet when they come out of the factory. They are noisy only because of the deliberate, illegal actions of individual motorcyclists. Americans should expect law enforcement officials to enforce the law–just as they enforce every other law. We need to silence the thunder. It’s the law!”
Even the President/ Chief Executive Officer of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company agrees that motorcyclists should stop breaking the law by equipping their bikes with illegal loud pipes. Jim McCaslin states: “Negative news stories regarding motorcycle noise have increased 400 percent over the past 10 years. In the last year, communities across the United States have upped their efforts to curb motorcycle noise. Some communities have instituted outright bans on motorcycles. Even traditional motorcycle rally locations like Laconia, Daytona, and Myrtle Beach have had controversies regarding noise at their events this past year.”
McCaslin also noted that “worldwide, motorcycle noise is becoming more heavily restricted. Europe and Japan now require lower than U.S. dB(A) levels for new motorcycles right out of the box. In Australia, for example, a permanent label must be affixed and remain on to signify legal pipes. Annual inspections are also required.”
Ted Rueter, Noise Free America’s director, stated that “the ‘Thunder in the Rockies’ event is an absolute disgrace. Thirty thousand people will gather to make noise, violate state and federal law, and disrupt the entire region–and law enforcement will do nothing. Local, state, and federal officials need to start strictly enforcing anti-noise ordinances, so that peace-loving individuals may enjoy their right to peace and quiet.”
Noise Free America is a national non-profit organization devoted to noise reduction. Past “winners” of the Noisy Dozen award include Harley-Davidson, the Wisconsin state legislature, and
the Governor of South Dakota.