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Who We Are
The Motorcycle Noise Problem
A Call to Action about Motorcycle Noise
How to Contact Us
Welcome! This first version of our web page is mostly about our biggest problem, motorcycle noise, but in the future, we hope to use this space to tell you both about other issues facing us and about the fascinating history of our dynamic block.
Who We Are:
We are residents of a single block of 8th Street, the central artery of Greenwich Village. Ours is the only block of this street that is west of Fifth Avenue, so we come by our name precisely. Running between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, our block connects with south-running MacDougal Street at its center. Vehicular traffic on our block runs one way, west to east. We have wide sidewalks for shopping on either side. The block is zoned for mixed commercial and residential use, and people live above almost every storefront.
Our organization was formed by residents in August 2003, primarily in response to motorcycle noise. The block is a meeting place for motorcyclists from all over the tri-state area — we have counted as many as 70 cycles parked at one time just on the half-block between Sixth Avenue and MacDougal. Our lives are sometimes made miserable by intrusive, deafening motorcycle noise that shatters our peace at all hours of the day and night.
The Motorcycle Noise Problem:
Responsible motorcyclists have shown that their bikes don't have to be deafening. In 2003 voluntary tests by cyclists near Albany, NY, showed that their motorcycles, measured from 50 feet away, generated as little as 68 decibels of sound when operated at 35 mph or less. It is other motorcyclists, the irresponsible ones, that we have to oppose — the ones who make noise as a form of exhibitionism, some of them even switching their mufflers for "straight pipes" to make their bikes as loud as possible. Some visitors' motorcycles have been loud enough to set off car alarms.
These people hurt themselves. In 2004 a University of Florida study of 33 motorcycles showed that nearly half produced more than 100 decibels of sound at full throttle. The study cautioned that permanent hearing loss can occur with prolonged exposure to any noise measuring 85 decibels or higher.
They hurt themselves, and they hurt us too. According to the League for the Hard of Hearing, the long-term effects of excessive noise can include not only deafness, but also sleep disruption, elevated blood pressure, and digestive disturbances.
We welcome responsible motorcyclists to our block, just as we welcome all other considerate visitors; but we have to resist those who come to our home and disrespect us. We live here.
A Call to Action about Motorcycle Noise:
We currently have a brief, rare opportunity to help control motorcycle noise more effectively. Last summer Mayor Bloomberg introduced major legislation that would rewrite the City's noise code:
http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Int%200397-2004.htm?CFID=166376&CFTOKEN=35269852.
This is the biggest overhaul of the code in 30 years. The 45-page bill addresses everything from construction sites to barking dogs. It discusses motorcycle noise in just once sentence:
"No person shall cause or permit any motorcycle to operate on a public right-of-way where the muffler or exhaust generates a sound that is plainly audible to another individual at a distance of 200 feet or more from the motorcycle."
This is a big improvement over the old code, but it doesn't go far enough. We want two improvements.
1. Reduce the 200-foot audible limit on motorcycle noise. The 200-foot limit was put in the proposed code arbitrarily; no tests were conducted to determine the distance at which people who have normal hearing can plainly hear motorcycles with the required, standard mufflers. We propose a distance that will be easier on the ears and nerves of the people who live here. In the absence of public tests to determine fair limits, the motorcycle limit should be set at 50 feet.
2. Limit the distance at which groups of motorcycles may be plainly audible. The Mayor's bill takes bold steps forward by restricting "cumulative" sound from groups of circulation devices such as air conditioners, and restricts "aggregate" sound from construction sites. The noise code should also restrict cumulative sound from groups of motorcycles. Every motorcycle contributing to sound that is plainly audible at 50 feet should be equally subject to penalty.
We are reaching out to other New York City residents, asking them to call on the City Council to make these changes to the Mayor's bill before it comes to a vote. There are three ways you can help:
- Petition — We have begun a petition drive calling on the Council to make the changes discussed above. Click here to download the petition, see tips on gathering signatures, and find instructions on how to return signed copies to us by April 30. We will gather them together and submit them to the Council.
- Pass a resolution of support — We are asking community organizations to pass resolutions in support of the changes discussed above. Click here to view a draft resolution and instructions on how to return your resolution to us. We will gather the resolutions and submit them to the Council.
- Testify — The City Council's Environmental Protection Committee is holding a public hearing on the noise bill in May. If you are affected and disturbed by motorcycle noise, you can testify at this hearing, either in person or by letter. Click here to see details on how to do this.
Noise is a citywide issue, and excessive motorcycle noise is something that can be controlled. Please help us improve the Mayor's noise code and make New York a better place to live!
How to Contact Us:
The West 8th Street BA has remained very flat in its organization. Started by the efforts of a single thoughtful individual with a vision for what we could achieve collectively, our association remains a motley collection of such individuals. Apart from Carol Wilson, who initiated our gathering, a few other individuals take a leadership role from time to time. Currently, Ron Barney serves as organizer and facilitator of our meetings and other activities. Various others represent our BA at local meetings, draft documents or provide other outreach to residents and other interested parties. You can contact us by e-mailing Carol at chaddonwilson@aol.com.
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