AN EVALAUTION OF STRATEGIES TO CONTROL NOISE FROM MINIBIKES

This report covers a series of potential control strategies for minibike noise which can be used in a metropolitan jurisdiction. Other jurisdictions would gain insight into their minibike noise problems from reading this report. These potential strategies include: a curfew alternative; a specific use area; prohibited use on public land except recreational areas and on private lands with permission of the owner; and an exploration of the possibility of a registration/licensing fee. The study was made in Montgomery County, Maryland, which is a large and wealthy suburban area that is part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Exploration of the curfew alternative indicates that it is not a particularly effective strategy in controlling minibike noise; parental curfews prevail as minibiker are frequently early teenagers. Other proposed control methods are similarly explored. The authors feel that the combination of strategies explored have resulted in a noise reduction for minibikes in the country. The reduction in minibike noise complaints would, undoubtedly, be greater if the specific use area strategy had been implemented in Montgomery County. Other jurisdictions are strongly encouraged to implement this strategy. The highlight of this study was a minibike rodeo to educate owner-operators on the operation of minibikes.

• Corporate Authors:

  Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

  1875 Eye Street, NW, Suite 200
  Washington, DC  United States  20006

  Environmental Protection Agency

  Office of Noise Abatement and Control, 1921 Jeff Davis Hwy
  Arlington, VA  United States  20460
• Authors:
  • Larson, S D
  • Dickman, DMC
• Publication Date: 1981-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 73 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Curfew; Licenses; Motorcycles; Noise control; Regulations; Urban areas
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00373832
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: EPA-550/9-82-408
• Contract Numbers: EPA-68-01-3952
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 30 1983 12:00AM