The MIC is opposed to minimum noise levels from electric motorcycles? Seriously?

In today's news feeds comes an article out of the US that has me scratching my head.

MIC opposes minimum noise levels for electric motorcycles

According to the article: The NHTSA has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for FMVSS No. 141, Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. The rule would set minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles, including but not limited to, motorcycles. Pursuant to the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act in 2010, FMVSS No. 141 is designed to ensure that blind, visually impaired and other pedestrians are able to detect nearby hybrid and electric vehicles in a range of ambient environments. End quote.

It seems reasonable that in today's noisy world there should be some noise emitted from all vehicles in order that person's who are visually impaired and blind be able to detect the presence of a vehicle.

Why would the manufacturers be opposed to a minimum noise requirement from electric motorcycles?

According to the article the manufactures are concerned that the addition of a stereo system to an electric motorcycle would shorten the range of the motorcycle and that riders are better at detecting danger than the average motorist:

In the MIC’s comments, the organization argued that because of the unique attributes of motorcycles, the NHTSA should not need to require a minimum sound for them. The MIC says that motorcycle riders are better able to see and avoid pedestrians because their sight is unobstructed, and motorcyclists are more alert because of their vulnerability. The MIC also stated that electric motorcycles are not quiet, so they shouldn’t need to be subject to minimum sound requirements.

The MIC stated further that adding a speaker system to electric motorcycles to emit sounds would be an issue because motorcycles have less space to add such a system, the weight of the system would have a large effect on the motorcycle’s low-speed stability, energy consumption of the speaker system would have a greater impact on a motorcycle’s range and the price of installing the system would be higher than with automobiles. End Quote.

I am confused - I get that the electric motorcycle's range might be shortened - but seriously - motorcycles have less space for a sound system? I guess the MIC has never ridden a full dressed H-D or many of the other motorcycles that have onboard stereos.  And what's this idea of holding the motorcyclists responsible for the safety of others?

I sometimes wonder at the wisdom of the Manufacturers Industry Council - these are the same people who brought us the J2825 SAE test...

What are your thoughts on this topic? I'd dearly love to know.

There are numerous articles in the news feeds today that may have interest to you, check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com

We are getting some great name suggestions for my Beaver Mascot - have you recommended a name yet?

We have a week left for you to get your machine entered in our online show 'n' shine - it's free to enter and we have some great prizes up for grabs!

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends from Facebook and via emails...

Have a great day everyone.
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Here we go again....

Sturgis North was in the headlines again and it breaks my heart.  (The story begins at 2:05 into the newscast)

I resent having to give these people any airtime at all - but we have to.

Is there a way to prevent the people who run Sturgis North from hurting anyone else in our community? How about the businesses and regions they move to?

If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them.

The latest is the saga of Sturgis North involves a group of Salmon Arm businesses who would dearly love to get the money owing to them but according to the TV report, President - Joan Hansen, says it could take 5 years for those people to get their money back. I personally don't understand why these people who are owed so much money don't band together and just shut them down.  A lawsuit is what is needed here - something that will shut Sturgis North down for good. But that's only my opinion - I do not believe that anyone is going to get their money - call me a pessimist - but I just don't see it happening.

In the research I did on Ray Sasseville, I had uncovered a series of what appears to be fraudulent activities and what appears to be smoke and mirrors that have been put up by naming Joan Hansen President of Sturgis North...the last time I did a search, Ray Sasseville was still very much the CEO of the event company.

It's not bad enough that people are left owing money from the 2011 show or that there is also - from what I have been able to learn, a boat load of debt from the 2012 show but they are going to try it again and this time the people with the largest potential to be hurt? The poorest first nations band in all of BC.

The more people talk about this event and the experiences that have devastated so many, the greater the ability there is to prevent the devastation of the previous two years from repeating itself.

The protection of our community is now in your hands....

There is a ton of news in the feeds today that might affect your day and or life as a rider...check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed!

Have a great Tuesday everyone.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider



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