Statements on the subject of motorcycle noise: that’s what stakeholders say

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Motorcycle noise

Debate about the volume of motorcycles

Statements on the subject of motorcycle noise: that's what stakeholders say
Michael Schumann

counselor

traffic & business

Statements on the subject of motorcycle noise: that’s what stakeholders say

Statements on the subject of motorcycle noise
Discussion about driving bans for motorcycles

Whether an open letter from the BVDM, a statement from the Industry Association (IVM), ADAC, Biker Union and the Federal Guild Association for Two-Wheeler Crafts – we summarize the positions for you.


Uli Baumann,

Dina Dervisevic,

Slawomir Niewrzol

07/21/2020

Open letter from BVDM

The subject of driving bans due to too loud motorcycles continues to dominate the headlines in the motorcycle industry. At the beginning of June, the Federal Association of Motorcyclists (BVDM) also spoke up and asked the motorcycle industry in an open letter to voluntarily produce motorcycles that are socially quiet in real driving conditions. Among other things, the BVDM calls on manufacturers to develop and sell quieter and affordable retrofit solutions for the best-selling models. The BVDM appeals to the Motorcycle Industry Association (IVM e.V.) to use its influence to induce manufacturers to produce quieter vehicles. Below we provide you with the complete BVDM document:

Manufacturers see responsibility in motorcyclists

The Motorcycle Industry Association (IVM) as the representative body of motorcycle manufacturers in Germany has so far been reluctant to make an official statement. In an interview with the “taz” Association spokesman Achim Marten spoke up: “First of all, start running the machines more quietly”, Marten appealed to the biker community. “We see the main responsibility with the drivers themselves.”

Driving bans discriminate against motorcyclists

When it comes to driving bans on Sundays and public holidays, however, most industry insiders largely agree. Above all, the Federal Association of Motorcyclists in the person of Michael Lenzen made clear statements on this topic to colleagues from Spiegel and even described such a driving ban as discrimination: “Those who do not talk about sports cars and quads, but at the same time want to shut out motorcyclists on certain routes on weekends and holidays, discriminate against four million people. Before passing new laws, the available options should first be exhausted. The anger of the residents is absolutely understandable, but we should solve this problem together without locking out decent motorcyclists across the board.”

ADAC

The ADAC describes collective penalties against motorcyclists as inappropriate and instead calls for other solutions, such as noise displays and increased police checks.

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Biker Union

The Biker Union, representing the interests of bikers, rockers and motorcyclists, has also taken a position on the Federal Council initiative. “Of course we know that there are problems with unacceptably loud motorcycles in some scenic areas”, says Rolf Frieling, Chairman of the Biker Union e.V.. “That is why we have been working with various municipalities and districts to solve the problem for years. Because a lack of consideration for residents on busy motorcycle routes is not a trivial offense, even from our point of view. In doing so, however, we repeatedly find that tuned cars and other sources of noise also lead to unacceptable noise pollution for residents. We don’t want to point the finger at others. Since the Federal Council only targets motorcycles in its resolution, the issue is obviously not at stake. Instead, a witch hunt is used on motorcyclists.”

“The closure of roads only for motorcycles due to noise pollution would be a clear violation of the principle of equality and the introduction of family liability for the mass of motorized two-wheelers who drive considerately and adhere to the rules. That would be completely disproportionate”, so Frieling. “In addition, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled that owner liability was unconstitutional as early as 1989.”

Noise avoidance is limited due to the design

Manfred Bach, board member of the BU, adds: “The Federal Council’s catalog of demands suggests that there was a lack of expertise in its formulation. An absolute noise limit of 80 dB (A) in all driving conditions would mean the end of the internal combustion engine in motorcycles. In contrast to cars, the options for avoiding noise in motorized two-wheelers are limited due to the design. Even with modern machines, which are usually extremely quiet, there can be operating states that occur extremely rarely in real road traffic, but in which the limit would be slightly exceeded. Even if such a limit were introduced, it would only apply to new vehicles. With a current vehicle fleet of around 4.4 million registered motorcycles, it would take at least 10 to 15 years for this to become noticeable on the roads.”

Federal Association of Two-Wheeler Crafts

From the position paper of the Bundesinnungsverband Zweirad-Handwerk (Association of the Bicycle and Motorbike Industry) from June 2020: Not every motorcycle or sports car driver is allowed to answer the problem in general “Traffic noise” Discussions and measures must be carried out objectively again: the main causes of noise caused by motorcycles are the improper driving style as well as the inadmissible”Screwing around”at the vehicle. Road closures and speed limits for a single traffic group would rather lead to more provocations of individual road users. And precisely by those who are already largely responsible for the conflict. The setting up of enemy images and the discrediting of an individual group of road users also represents unequal treatment and a violation of the rule of law. Not all motorcycles and their drivers may be lumped together.

Conclusion

Much ado about loud. From the point of view of many residents, rightly so. When it is no longer possible to enjoy beautiful weather in the garden, because it feels like every fifth machine is roaring and roaring. And not just when driving past, but – depending on the location – for miles after the place name sign. Nevertheless, not all motorcyclists can and should not atone. Mainly because by far not all loud road users are restricted equally. At least three standards are measured here, which is why the legitimacy of the current demand for driving bans is questionable. Nevertheless, everyone is asked: Politicians should finally ensure practicable and realistically mappable limit values ​​and measurement methods, the manufacturers for good sound, the “noisy” not at all necessary and motorcyclists for an adapted driving style that avoids high engine speeds.

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