To the editor,
Re: Loud engines need to be muffled, Sept. 5.
I read a letter to the editor blaming “hot rods” for causing significant noise. To clarify, hot rod is a modified car or truck, usually from the ’30s to ’60s era, with a modern drivetrain and custom bodywork. The vast majority of these vehicles are owned by baby boomers, who are not generally running around town with their right foot to the floor, especially late at night. While these vehicles may be equipped with an exhaust system that is louder than the average new vehicle, they are usually not louder than a contemporary factory performance vehicle.
The biggest offenders, next to motorcycles, are a certain make of six-cylinder full-sized diesel pickup trucks with three-to four-inch-wide exhaust systems. Like motorcycles, many of these modified trucks are audible from blocks away. Other major offenders are four-cylinder imports with loud, high-pitched exhaust systems which can also be heard for a substantial distance.
There are also numerous loud off-road-only motorcycles being ridden illegally on public roads within city limits. I’ve ridden motorcycles for half a century, so not a motorcycle ‘hater.’
As has been proven in California and many European countries, effective noise enforcement is possible, if the will is there. Then we can once again sleep with our windows open in the summer.
Hello, RCMP, politicians?
Gary Purvess, Nanaimo
To the editor,
I too am sick and tired of hearing the loud revving of motorcycles, souped-up trucks and sport cars. My kids are scared and disturbed by the awful roaring sound breaking the peace and calm. The sound also carries from distant roads remarkably. Just like a previous letter writer mentioned, this does not impress girls. It just shows us that you want to be noticed but have nothing else you think is impressive enough about yourself to advertise to those around you. The City of Nanaimo should start to enforce the rules.
K. Wiebe, Nanaimo