City council has voted to put a cap on how noisy motorcycles can be. The city will now impose motorcycle noise limits, which will see loud motorcyclists getting slapped with a hefty fine.
Loud motorcycles out on the streets will not yet be targeted as Edmonton police officers still need to be trained on the equipment that will measure the volume.
Edmonton will be the first municipality in Canada to approve a motorcycle noise bylaw. If a bike idles at louder than 92 decibels, the owner could be handed a $250 ticket.
The bylaw was passed Wednesday afternoon after plenty of debate between city councillors. Some said the bylaw itself is discriminatory toward bikers. But those for the amendment said it came down to the number of complaints.
"We have a lot of citizens out there who say it's affecting their quality of life and the fact is you're supposed to have a certain type of muffler, so if you have an illegal muffler you're not supposed to be having that in the first place," said Coun. Kim Krushell.
Many bikers tell CTV News they don't agree with the new amendment.
"Even the city police on their Harleys are louder than my bike. Are they gonna pull each other over?" said Rod Michaud.
The old bylaw carried a $115 fine but wasn't as specific, instead it focused on excessive noise that is considered to be a nuisance.
City Coun. Dave Thiele wanted the word motorcycle changed to motor vehicle so the bylaw doesn't discriminate against bikers. But, the councillor's amendment didn't pass
"Is that fair? That's picking on a pretty small segment," said Thiele.
Police will now be able to purchase eight noise-meter kits to begin enforcement on major streets including Jasper Ave. and Whyte Ave. They say the meters only work on motorcycles, not other vehicles.
And that's not sitting well with local bikers.
"I don't have a problem with making a law, but it's got to be a universal law," argues Les Deavu.
The Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada tested a number of bikes using the same method city police plan to use. It says the findings showed less than 17 per cent of bikes tested over 92 decibels.
No specific start day for enforcement has been established. But officers hope to start handing out tickets at the beginning of next month.
With files from Bill Fortier
