This seems to be closed given the weather.

As the weather improves, more and more motorcycle riders are hitting the roads throughout the country.

The New Haven Police Department is joining with federal, state and local highway safety, law enforcement and motorcycle organizations in proclaiming May 2009 as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.” Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a national initiative aimed at getting motorists and motorcyclists to “Share the Road” with each other.

In 2007, motorcycle rider fatalities increased for the tenth straight year. During 2007, 5,154 motorcyclists lost their lives in fatal highway crashes. Common hazards for motorcyclists are driver inattention, failure to wear a helmet, and operating while impaired. Motorcyclists also have an obligation to operate without creating excessive noise or traffic hazards.

Officers assigned to motor vehicle/noise enforcement will pay special attention to motorcycle and car noise violations which impact quality of life in the city. The area of enforcement will be downtown (North Frontage-State-Park-Chapel) as well as upper State St. (to East). Any equipment violations will also have a DMV warning ticket issued in addition to the summons/infraction.

Motorcycle Violations

14-40a(a)* no M/C license endorsement $92.00
14-80(a) unnecessary noise $225.00
14-80i(b) handlebar height (15” from seat) $75.00
14-289b(a) > 2 M/C operating abreast $96.00
14-289b(c) failure to have headlamp lit $96.00
14-289d(b) no face protection (glasses/goggles) $86.00

Lt. Joseph Witkowski
New Haven Police Department
Tel: (203) 946-6576
Fax: (203) 946-7498

i wonder why M/C are not allowed to ride abreast ? One would think it would be safer, singly only encourages a car to pass causing a potentially dangerous scene.
i strongly agree with the noise tix ,but not the fee - wow , that would only encourage the cop to look the other way and ignore/hide from the loud bikes ( saw that on State st.last summer)

Add townsend and woodward ave to this enforcement

This is really an annoyance. Loud motorcycles should be banned from city streets, and confiscated by the police.

Let them ride them out in the suburbs - when they are in my town, I don't want to hear the constant motorcycle noise, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Noise ordinance on motorcycles is completely ignorant. The louder the motorcycle the better possibility that you old @#$% can hear us, which would cause you to pay more attention. As for the Lt. comment Common hazards for motorcyclists are driver inattention, failure to wear a helmet, and operating while impaired. As these issues might contribute to accidents. I have seen that the majority of motorcycle accidents is due to (car) driver failure to see the motorcycle and either pulls out in front of the motorcyclist or slams into the back of them while the cyclist is stopped. It is not always the motorcyclist's fault for the accidents.

Attention should also be paid to Middletown and Quinnipiac Avenues as well as all residential streets between them. Summer is a wonderful time of year to be enjoyed by everyone, motorcyclists need to respect the law with regard to noise-maybe motorcycles need to be required to stop at weigh stations so officials can rid not only the streets but also the highways of all this noise pollution. Motorcyclists who truly love to ride don't need to add noise to the equasion, just enjoy the wind blowing in your face and the freedom of the road. Any rider who can't do without the noise should have their cycle pulled off the road until modifications bring it into compliance with the law.

cant hear motorcycle approaching. the muffer is pointed the wrong way, duh! so the loud noise does not make safety. also if one feels unsafe on a motorcycle, don't ride one, duh!

In response to NHPD... Motorcycles can operate side by side but not more than 2 per lane see the below law...

Sec. 14-289b. Operation of motorcycles. (a) The operator of a motorcycle shall be entitled to the full use of any single traffic lane, but the operation of more than two motorcycles abreast in any single traffic lane is prohibited.

(b) The operator of a motorcycle shall not (1) overtake and pass, in the same single traffic lane occupied by such motorcycle, any motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or (2) operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic.

(c) Any person operating a motorcycle manufactured after January 1, 1980, on a highway, shall illuminate the head lamp of such motorcycle at all times it is being operated.

(d) No provision of this section shall apply to a police officer during the performance of his official duties.

(e) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall have committed an infraction.

It's unfortunate they don't read the law dealing with the loud mufflers on motorcycles
Bob

Noise levels varies on the year built and type of vehicle being tested
Sec. 14-80-1a. Definitions
(a) ‘‘Motor Vehicle’’ means any vehicle as defined in subdivision (26) of section
14-1, Connecticut General Statutes.
(b) ‘‘dB(A)’’ means the standard abbreviation for ‘‘A’’ weighted sound level
in decibels.
(c) ‘‘Sound Level’’ means the ‘‘A’’ weighted sound level obtained by use of fast
meter response and ‘‘A’’ weighting characteristics specified in American National
Standard S1.4-1971 ‘‘Specification for Sound level Meters’’.
(d) ‘‘Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (G.V.W.R.)’’ means the value specified by
the manufacturer as the maximum fully loaded overall weight allowed for a sin-
gle vehicle;
(e) ‘‘Gross Combination Weight Rating (G.C.W.R.)’’ means the sum total of the
G.V.W.R. of each vehicle or unit comprising a combination vehicle.
(f) ‘‘Hard Test Site’’ means any test site having the ground surface covered with
concrete, asphalt, packed dirt, gravel or similar acoustically reflective material
for more than one-half the distance between the microphone target point and the
microphone location.
(g) ‘‘Soft Test Site’’ means any test site having the ground surface covered with
grass, other ground cover or similar acoustically absorptive material for one-half
or more of the distance between the microphone target point and the microphone
location.
(h) ‘‘Ground Cover’’ means any of various low, dense-growing plants such as
ivy, myrtle, low weeds, or brush.
(i) ‘‘Traffic Railing’’ means any longitudinal highway traffic barrier system
installed along the side or median of a highway. For the purpose of this regulation,
a traffic railing must have at least thirty-five percent of its vertical height from the
ground surface to the top of the railing, open to free space in order to qualify as
an acceptable object within a noise measurement test site. Posts or other discrete
supports shall be ignored when ascertaining open free space.
(j) ‘‘Relatively Flat’’ means a sound measuring site which does not contain
significant concave curvatures or slope reversals that may result in the focusing of
sound waves toward the microphone location.
(k) ‘‘Motorcycle’’ means any vehicle as defined in subdivision (25) of section
14-1, Connecticut General Statutes.
(l) ‘‘Snowmobile’’ means a vehicle coming within the definition of the term
‘‘snowmobile’’ as defined in section 14-379, Connecticut General Statutes.
(Effective December 27, 1978)

I used to live on State St between Edwards and Humphrey and they're not kidding, it's a nightmare over there, especially after 10 pm at night - the beginning of the evening noise ordinance. I remember MOST nights hearing revving motorcycles as late (early!) as 2 and 3 am in the morning, after motorcyclists were leaving the bars en masse. Usually between 5-10 bikes for one bar alone.

I'd love to see this change. I've since moved but yeah, it really interferes with quality of life and it's certainly not quiet between 10 pm and 8 am.

Not to justify loud bikes but why don't they stop all the import cars with the coffee can exhaust on them ?? when they leave bars in mass not only are they loud but they are usually racing as well ... No instead they have to follow me around with my STOCK pipes ...Why is that because it's a Harley and it might be loud, not all guys change there pipes some of us ride them because they are built in America.................

i just called the police about a motorcycle going around with an after market loud @#$% muffler u could hear the thing a mile away. did they come? no as always 11pm! on atwater street. only in fair haven

I hear your frustration Maria, but I can tell you that the police care just as little (or maybe just feel like there's not much they can do minus a plate #) over here in the Upper State neighborhood. There was a truly deafening bike up here last night as well--maybe the same jerk.

Agreed,
This issues seems to be the one thing that police in New Haven will not respond to.

I have been told many a time that they will address the noise on Upper State with no follow through.

Every year there are more of them and they are louder.

I'll try to get some video with audio over the next couple of weeks.

Videos with audio would be good. The cyclists seem to relish making huge noises just because they can and it's fun for them. If they were in cars that loud, they would certainly gert a ticket!

Please keep posting the streets most annoyed be this. We are planning a ride for charity and would like to pass by your block. We'll all wave to ya as we go by! The next ride is going to be at 10:30pm on a Tuesday. Not sure which Tuesday yet! Thanks for your support in this matter!

Since when does raising money for a charity permit one to break the LAW???

I wouldn't take the bait on this-- unless it's a charity ride to benefit motorcyclists who end up going deaf due to poor life choices.

This is not an issue that will be addressed. Fire fighters and police alike have a large group of motorcyclists among them. As long as aftermarket exhausts are available for sale in the US, you will never get any resolution. If you chose to live near places bikers hangout that's your choice. When Blake street in Westville started to become a ghetto it was time to move. Now people are getting shot in that area. When it's time to move, it's time to move.

i got a $225 ticket leaving Firside Cafe for load pipes. They ticketed about 20- 30 bikes that day. So the NHPD is out there trying. but then again, i just sent mine in no-guilty, and it was nollied. Nice!

Ok, but I'm sure they will ticket you again, you can take a day off from work (lost pay), and maybe they will also send you to D.M.V. for an inspection next time around.

Not exactly, I took a vacation day, I have 6 weeks. So grabbed some lunch (Louie's Lunch) and made a day of it on the bike. I did get a DMV inspection ticket. I put the stock exhaust on, passed, then put my dual exhaust back on, really didn't take that long either. Now i have the e"passed" DMV inspection ticket on me to avoid any further tickets. Worked out rather nice all summer.

It's a joke. The whole phoney BS system. The decibels levels set are ridiculous, and everybody involved knows it, the police, the bikers, the DMV, and especially the prosecutors! It's a waste of tax payer money.

Sure some a-hole riding like a bat out of hell threw a residential neighborhoods should be ticketed, but that snot what they do. They hit the guy who works for a living, and goes for a beer with a few friends, or dinner with his girl. That's not the demographic you want. So unless the police change their tactics, and their profiling technics, it will be the same every summer. Sorry.

wow, so much sarcasm from some folks i see! when is time to move is time to move cuz certain street are beginning to become ghetto! how petty and ignorant is that, and the other one bout the charity ride and using this site to find out whos complaining to do it more down those streets! its not the streets you morons its people like you's that got that ghetto mentality, clearly you people can care less about the quality of life around here, but when is one of your kids or family members getting hit by a car speeding down the street or when a bike doing tricks to show off goes out of control and hits a child in your family then you care. none of us are against motorcycles, we are against the lack of respect of some like the one that was testing his bike at 11pm up and down the street for an hour which happen to have an aftermarket exhaust, its the lack consideration cuz a day like that one my kids were jumping everytime he came around, it could be ur sick granma laying on a bed one day or your sick child cause u can be all high and mighty today but god knows where youll end up tomorrow. Ignorance! lord forgive them for their stupidity and lack of values and morals. lol

Loud Pipes OK,
Are you implying that because you give money to charity it is ok to effect others quality of life?

I give money to charity to but It does not give me the right to come and trash your neighborhood.

Hey JR,
I agree that the highways are not a big deal for loud pipes but this is a residential neighborhood. State Street and Humphrey street is not a playground for motorcycles.

There are hundreds of apartments on the street with Children and others that are physically effected by this noise.

We welcome regular respectful riders but revving a modified pipe at the corner of Humphrey and State or anywhere else in this neighborhood where this frequently happens needs to be discouraged amongst bikers if they want to be treated with respect.

Well, I see so many of you know nothing about motorcycles. If it's a Harley, most likely it will be loud. That's just the nature of the beast. If it's an import, some 19 yr old fool will most likely be acting like a jerk and being a pain in everyone's @#$%. Its sad that society is so ignorant and judgemental. Loud pipes do save lives becaues alot of people in cars are just plain stupid, thinking that because a car is bigger, it can just push the bike out of the way. It will never change so you all need to adjust.

I could listen to Harleys roll by all day,nothing like the sound of true American made to brighten up your day or night,Now jap bikes they are as annoying as hemorrhoids,and so are those import cars with the potato launchers and their bass playing rap crap,Why aren't the residents complaining about those noises,Leave the Harley riders alone,they do alot for charities,how many of these imported jap cars or rice burning wannabes do you see doing charity rides.I guess its a Harley thing.Oh the sound of freedom.If its to loud, you're too damm old!

Harleys are just loud therefore there can't be any noise objections? That is just kind of, well..dumb.

The loud pipes as a safety thing is another lame justification. These riders are deliberately generating as much noise as they can late at night in a residential neighborhood. They're doing it for fun, so go to a Walmart parking lot.

This would never be tolerated in the suburban neighborhoods where these riders live. Should I be allowed to bring a 100 watt guitar amp to YOUR neighborhood at 1AM and blast away?

Loud pipes saves lives? If you're AFFRAID to ride, then DON'T!

I am talking about reving engines with modified pipes of any bike at intersections. That has nothing to do with saving lives. That is simply disrespectful. I also am talking about unusually loud bikes not a stock Harley with which I have no problem with the decibels.

The Sport bikes have not been a problem to date in the neighborhood because they have not been that loud and their are not many of them on the street.

This is not a charge against bikers just disrespectful bikers. You are sticking up for people that are making you look bad. Aren't we on the same team here?

So as to end the back and forth: i'll get a video with audio of one of the types of riders and bikes I'm talking about and we can have a conversation about whether its appropriate or not.

This is for Ted. Riding a Harley is not a hobby where you go "ride around Walmart" . It's a LIFESTYLE , of which you know nothing about. These bikes are worth up to $50 grand once you get it the way you want it. Loud pipes "is a lame justification" just shows YOUR ignorance. I have seen cars cut bikes off, get so close you could touch them. Justify that Ted.

Thank you Janet.. Ben when you shoot your video why don't you show all the Harleys that go by as your standing there not just the 1 or 2 % that are obnoxious, if you do the math I bet you will find more cars and metric bike have louder than stock exhaust than the Harleys, and what about the bass in some of these cars.....So lets not insinuate that ALL Hogs are loud and law breaking, Have you ever heard a group of Blue Knights go by on there bikes ???

Janet by that logic I can play a 1000 watt guitar amp next to your bedroom just because I spent 50 grand on it. Hey, it's my "lifestyle".

Ted, the season is only another month or so. Maybe you need to just accept the fact that people on motorcycles are here, be it loud or not. And I get that you do not understand any part of this culture, with your childish remark about 1000 watt guitar.
Stop judging and get over it, it's not going away....but if it bothers you so much, maybe YOU should. Have a nice day Ted.

Janet, you can't change the issue by adding political buzzwords like lifestyle or culture. You would not tolerate a group of people waking up your neighborhood with their "culture".

Good Lord Ted, don't you have anything else going on in your life? Political buzzword?...are you kidding me. It IS a culture..it IS a lifestyle, and if you really are that narrow minded I'd be more than happy to introduce you some people who may be able to explain it to you better. You remind me of one of those lonely old people who sit by the window all day, complaining about everything and generally being a pain in everybodies @#$%. You bore me Ted.

Hi Janet,

You don't have to sit by the window to be bothered by the bikes that I'm concerned about and that is an invasion of private not public space.

Janet, I agree that it is both a culture and a lifestyle.

You would not tolerate a group of people waking up your neighborhood with their culture and lifestyle.

Ben, alot of things bother alot of people. No one has the right to say get rid of this, I don't like it.
Frankly, I love my Harley, with all the chrome, loud pipes, and everything else. What I am so damn sick of is being judged by people who know nothing. Let's take a quick minute and talk about oh...car steros, jacked up plymouth neons, and all the other nonsense that really bugs ME. But that's they're choice and I respect it.

Janet,

If your "lifestyle" requires you to wake up families and children at all hours of the night, you've got bigger problems than Ted being boring. If you're really looking for excitement, send me your address and I'll swing through your neighborhood making a racket for no conceivable reason. Then, when you complain, I'll conveniently quote "culture" and "lifestyle." Face it: you rationalize your behavior so that you can sleep at night (unlike the folks being kept up by your bike's pipes). You have no business calling anyone "childish" or "boring" (other than yourself -- and there's a couple of other adjectives I'd throw in there but I'll restrain myself).

*comment removed for violation of terms of use.

This isn't a discussion anymore, it's a flame war.

Ted, I live in fair haven, across the street from a bar that caters to a largely hispanic crowd. I do live it

Janet, you have my respect on that. But, honestly, don't you think you are the rare person who can tolerate it? My lifestyle (and I mean no offense here) does not intrude on other people.

In my experience as a musician, there is a time and a place to be loud and another to compromise. I don't like banning stuff.

Ok Ted,
Let's just agree to disagree

Hey Janet,

I understand where you are coming from in regards to freedom of speech and expression but loud noise is restricted in cities because it is physically harmful to others.

This is not an attack on motorcycles it is a plea to be respectful of your neighbors and obey the noise ordinances and DMV standards.

Loud motorcycles are a good reason why people leave neighborhoods with their children.

I thought rednecks came from the south. What a bunch of stupid, ignorant, a$$holes! Asking these tards to be respectful is a waste of time. Unfortunately, they breed faster than they die.

Big talk for someone who's afraid to leave a name.
reading your pathetic excuse of a comment, you do sound like a real live "redneck" "tard"? Man, read a book.

*EDITED FOR CONTENT NOT CONFORMING TO SEECLICKFIX'S T.O.S. There is a place for loud bikes and it is not on city streets at night. People live there. *EDITED FOR CONTENT NOT CONFORMING TO SEECLICKFIX'S T.O.S.
Mark

*content removed for violating Tos

(*edited for content violating SeeClickFix's Terms Of Use) And my bike will be twice as loud next year.

*edited for content

Janet,

Don't feel empowered by the fact that I decided it was useless to try to convey sense to the clinically insane. If you don't understand that your "choices" are limited to the extent they substantially harm other people, you're a sociopath. I might choose to throw rocks at your windows, hell, that might be my "lifestyle" and "culture," but it's still illegal and immoral. *content removed.

Anika

janet,
what type of person threatens to beat people up over the internet? i'll let you figure it out. You have no idea who you are adressing, and the stupidty of your comments to anika confirm that.

wow, what is all this? and who is anika? i stop in to check whats going on in the area and find this! i live in fair haven and my name is Anaika again Anaika not Anika so i just hope to god that someone is not posting things using what they think my name is. so if there is another Anika out there more power to you, but if one of these ignorant $%^&'s whom may know me "Anaika" confuses me with "Anika" and tries to bring drama or trouble into my life be ready to suffer the consequenses. seems that some of those arguements are ignorant and cowardly from some people anyways, and much of it has gotten out of context. i agree and disagree with some especially those that sound racist. come on people most of us love motorcycles we just dont think is appropiate the way some people purposely in the neighborhood dont consider their neighbors at certain times that all. go to atwater and chatham and look at all the skid marks on the street, thats abuse and neighbors acting a mess and having no respect thinking is cool to use the street as a race track. i had a motorcycle and never once went wilding out on someones street up and down up and down all all times day or night becuase anyone that has any values and was raised with dignity respects where other people live

Streever. If you can read properly, I did not threaten to beat up Anika. She asked for my address. YOU have no idea who YOU are addressing so why don't you just stay out of it. This started out as people trying to explain differences. It became a ridiculous exchange of threats because some people have no other way to express themselves. As for the comment about skid marks on Atwater St. , those are street bikes. Jap bikes are built for speed and the people who own them are the ones doing the street racing. I get very annoyed by alot of things people do on the street in front of my house. But for the ignorant, here is a reminder. THIS IS AMERICA. LIVE AND LET LIVE. If ift bothers you so much, leave, because bikes aren't going anywhere.

anaika, get over yourself hun, nobody was talking to you. it was A N I K A .

Anyone else buying Janet's fake patriotism? I'm not!

Anyone think Janet gives a @%!@$! about what anyone of you think?

24 motorcycles went down on a highway in Oreegon because the CAR in front of them stopped suddenely. 4 dead, 17 gritical. I'm sure all the haters out there will celebrate this. YOU make me sick with your ignorance. As for the attacks on Janet, I speak only to her. Don't waste your time babe, these rigid fools will never get it.

dave NONE of us want anyone hurt. we simply want people to respect our need for quiet.
the issue here is the people who line up their motorcycles @ 2 in the morning and reve up their engine over & over. we need to get up at 6 in the morning to go to work, and don't understand why suburbanites think it's ok to wake us at 2:30 in the morning.

if that's not you what you are doing why are you here? isn't our desire to not be woken up at 2 am on a week night reasonable?

your objections-that we want people to DIE are hysterical and inaccurate and unfair. please respect our desire to sleep through the night in our homes. Many of the people commenting here are tax paying residents who are bewildered at the tone and direction you all are taking this argument. you would be angry if people woke you every night. please understand what is being asked and stop attacking us. and be thankful none of us are inconsiderate enough to be so rude to your neighborhoods.

This is a serious quality of life issue.

This is the main reason why people avoid State Street, at least when they are looking for a place to live (or, if they already live there, thinking about renewing their lease).

I would love to live on State Street, but would never consider it for one very simple reason: motorcycle noise.

Hope this helps some of you put things in perspective.

You have the right to ride your motorcycles all over rural roads throughout Connecticut -- but when residents, property owners and politicians wish to control noise so that their neighborhood can simply survive as a livable place, they have the right to ask for enforcement of city laws.

I hope that the city will swifly crush this type of antisocial behavior.

Fines need to be raised because they are not in proportion to the damage done from these motorbikes. The fine should be at least $1,000 per offense.

In addition to muffler-generated noise, wheelies and speeding are a serious problem as well.

They were horrible today.

They were horrible today.

whatever name is its or whomever u are who cares, i just wanted to make sure that some of my neighbors werent using my name to say what they r scared to say, ill still give u respect after ur sarcastic remark because after all i happen to agree with a lot of the points u had, i missed out on what went on between janet and u, but it seems it got blown up. this site it to inform, post and hopefully get solutions like streeder said the rest of you get a life, go to a blog site or chat room. and no those marks arent only jap bikes they are from cars that stop a the corner and peel out the rest of the way,i had a jap bike and i didnt spend hours at 1am trying out new tricks and burning rubber on a corner for hours at 1am because its built for speed. come on. the issue here not a back and forth patriotic debate and so on its the lack of respect of some poeple that find it cool to hang out in front of ur house at 1am on bikes or cars being inconsiderate thats all, we pay taxes, while around fairhaven most that adapt to that lifestyle either sell drugs or live off their girlfriends on wellfare the rest of us still have homes here and moving for some because the neighborhood got rough its not always the option. what kind of life is that some have, that hanging in front of someone elses house gathering with the neighborhood crew making noise and praticing new tricks or having your buddies come by in the car to see who peels out the best...........im sorry but thats pathetic and this is our only poing of discussion from day one. its never been an attack on bikes, just to those individuals that have no respect. and for the police nad aldermen being aware of some problem areas and not addressing it the way they should.

Jeeez, what an unbelievable connection between dumb people and motorcycle riders. Threats of physical harm and idiotic arguments! I guess they are as dumb as they look. Sorry to fan the flames but I don't take kindly to stupid threats. Internet threats are not tough and real physical threats by adults are even dumber. Grow up.

Janet, zip it. Nobody cares who you are or how tough you are. Most people quit the tough guy bs after high school. I live in NYC and there is very little motorcycle noise, even when I lived a block from the Hells Angels. New Haven is a little out of control. Period. It is a quality of life issue for most people. I think it comes down to maturity of the populous, police enforcement and downright respect for ones neighbor, all of which New Haven could improve upon.

Zip it? You don't even live in Ct. so don't tell me to do anything. Mentioning HA on here? Are you kidding me or just incredibly stupid? Janet is out.
You, and everyone else on this page really need to back off. I was threatened, insulted, and completely misunderstood. I don't believe one group has the right to dictate how another lives or what they drive.
Go back to NY. This can and has gotten very ugly. I am too "associated" to deal with these common folk so as far as i'm concerned, it's a dead issue.

Blah, blah, blah! Blah, associated... laugh my butt off, blah, blah, blah! Ha ha ha!

not interested