Pass a Resolution of Support
Do you belong to an organization -- a coop, a tenants' union, church or synagogue, for instance -- that will support the cause of controlling motorcycle noise? Would you ask your organization to pass a resolution showing support for amendments that tighten the Mayor's noise bill? Organizational endorsements show the City Council that a measure has broad constituent support.
The West 8th Street Block Association has prepared a draft resolution that you can adapt to your needs. Call Ron Barney at (212) 253-2633 to discuss presenting your resolution to the City Council.
We will be happy to present your resolution for you. Or, If you can attend the next Council hearing on the noise bill, we would be delighted to have you present your resolution as part of official testimony.
The City Council's schedule is very fluid. As this web page was written (early April), the Council's Committee on Environmental Protection had a meeting scheduled for May 4 that could be used for the next noise bill hearing. However, the hearing may be held at a later date. If your organization can pass a resolution on motorcycle noise, we will work with you to make sure it is presented to the Council at the appropriate time. |
DRAFT RESOLUTION IMPROVING THE MAYOR'S NOISE BILL
WITH REGARD TO MOTORCYCLE NOISE
WHEREAS, the City Council is now considering Int. No. 0397-2004, a proposed local law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York in relation to its noise code; and
WHEREAS, motorcycle noise in said proposed law is discussed only at §2-236(b), which states in its entirety "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"; and
WHEREAS, to our knowledge, no part of City government has performed tests within ambient sound levels of City streets (1) to establish the decibel level required for a motorcycle sound to be "plainly audible" at 200 feet or (2) to determine whether a limit of less than 200 feet would be more in keeping with desirable quality of life standards; and
WHEREAS, a number of other municipalities in the United States have enacted noise codes that prohibit motorcycle noise that is "plainly audible" at distances of 100 feet or less; and
WHEREAS, the proposed law restricts "cumulative" sound from circulation devices such as air conditioners, and restricts "aggregate" sound from construction sites, but does not consider either cumulative or aggregate sound emitted by motorcycles operating in groups; and
WHEREAS, motorcycles operating in groups make more noise than motorcycles operating individually;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that [name of your organization] joins the West Eighth Street Block Association in urging the New York City Council to amend Int. 0397-2004 to reduce the limit for plainly audible motorcycle noise to 50 feet, so that §24-236(b) reads "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 50 feet or more from the motorcycle"; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that [name of your organization] joins the West Eighth Street Block Association in urging the New York City Council to amend Int. 0397-2004 to penalize each member of any group of motorcycles which, while operating, emits cumulative sound that is plainly audible at 50 feet or more.
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