'We need loud exhaust; Police, drivers don’t respect us'- Biker
Addressing the contentious issue via a Facebook post, the entity said bikers have declared: “We need loud exhaust!”
It explained that while bikes may be “viewed as noisy”, riders are forced to face the law with "your story vs mine.”
We are not respected
“Drivers don't respect us. I'm not condoning the irresponsible riders. I'm not condoning the swerving in and out of traffic and also stunt riding. I am addressing the concerns of why scooters are so loud. I've had a silent pipe before. I can be riding, obeying the speed limit with my crash helmet on etc., going about my merry way and when you look, Boom! A driver caused me to slam on my brake because they couldn't see nor hear me. I am riding. Cars see me from a distance. The car will still pull out in front of me causing me to get in a near miss or worse, a collision,” Drax Media claimed one rider ranted to his colleagues in a private debate among motor scooter riders in the community.
The post further quoted the scooter rider, who was not named, as saying: “The police don't respect us. As they come to a scene, automatically the innocent has to suffer for the guilty. The rider is always wrong no matter the circumstances of the accident".
Drax Media said the general consensus from scooter riders indicates that “if more persons would pay attention on the road, there would not be a need for loud exhaust systems installed.”
The post has since attracted a number of reactions and comments.
Comments
Several commenters took to Facebook to share their views on the topic.
“I've moved to England for a few months now, and I've never heard them which is a huge relief because they were invading sage mountain ...imagine up there always dead quiet .to have these inconsiderate people ruin your early morning racing up and down and they don't even live in the area for the most part.... someone own an ATV, but that's a next story...but like I was saying I live in one of the biggest cities here, and so far I've never heard them, and I've seen them…they even cone to deliver my food now that we are lockdown and they certainly don't pull up roaring in this quiet neighbourhood... so this reason that you need to be seen to avoid accidents is comical ...just follow the road rules and be cautious and you should be ok,” a Kisha Douglas wrote.
“I [have] been riding longer than most. Its true drivers are insensitive to cyclists both scooters and bikes. However, I disagree with the noisy exhaust analogy. I've owned several bikes, and only 1 had any aftermarket exhaust. Tho[ugh] I love the bike life I can't agree. It's annoying, and for the innocent, they will always suffer for the guilty,” a Rick Smith added.
In the meantime, Kenton Sanmoogan blogged: “That's a lame excuse with those concerns of the scooter riders.”
In the first half of 2020, there was a night-time ban on scooters due to the excessive noise pollution. There also have been several calls for the police and the government to do something about the growing trend of the loud exhaust, particularly at nights, since it prevents the young and elderly from getting a good night's sleep.
Bikers fire back!
The post by Drax Media comes on the heels of Minister for Transportation Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) stating that Government will be seeking to amend the laws regarding fines and penalties for motor scooters.
Speaking during a Saturday, January 23, 2021 community meeting in Baughers Bay, Hon Rymer said Government will be looking to address the issues once and for all.
“As we sit here, we hear motorcycles ride by with a loud noise and that is something I just want to let you know that this government, we are looking towards making some amendments to the legislation where we will work to change the fines, the penalties, because we have done as much as we could with the motorcycles,” Hon Rymer said.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
19 Responses to “'We need loud exhaust; Police, drivers don’t respect us'- Biker”
The loud noise of the scooters is very disrespectful to the people of the BVI.
Elderly and sick people here are constantly disturbed by these scooters.
The BVI is the only island that has no enforcement and no noise control laws that fine drivers for the loud noises.
We have a curfew here and even during curfew we are plagued by them.
Please riders try and respect yourselves and the people of the BVI and the respect will come back to you!
Finally, enforcement is needed in the BVI to curtail this disrespected act -- the loud scooters.
Follow the laws, wear your helmets, pay attention AND STOP PULLING UP BETWEEN VEHICLES...IT IS ILLEGAL
That does not give me the right to go put a big muffler on my car to be a nusance everyone so that drivers can notice me.
I don't agree with the law taking the bikes, However, once you start with the bikers, this will devour your votes next election, so expect that.