WHEREAS the Motor Vehicle Act of BC requires that all motor vehicles have mufflers to ensure exhaust is expelled without excessive noise, yet with modifications of these muffler and baffler exhaust systems, the result is excessive motorcycle and motor boat noise; AND WHEREAS the standards of noise levels established by the Society of Automotive Engineers; which were reviewed, evaluated and supported by the Canadian Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council and Transport Canada; have been set at 92 dBA when engine is at idle and 96 dBA when engine is at 2000 rpm and are measurable with appropriate decibel reading equipment: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government amend the Motor Vehicle Act to require that exhaust noise emitted from motorcycles and motor boats meet the noise level standards supported by Transport Canada, thus providing police officers clear definitions of excessive vehicle noise; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that police officers be provided the legislative tools necessary to enforce the Motor Vehicle Act prohibiting noise in excess of 92 dBA at engine idle and 96 dBA at 2000 rpm.
Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure The Small Vessel Regulations under the Canada Shipping Act requires that pleasure craft operating within five nautical miles from shore have an operating muffler with no modifications. Using authority in the Community Charter, municipalities may enact bylaws to restrict noise emissions and some have bylaws applicable to marine pleasure crafts. With respect to motor vehicles, the Motor Vehicle Act provides an offence for excessive motor vehicle noise, but the technology for reliably measuring noise in the field has only recently been recognized through the Society of Automotive Engineers SAE technical standard. The BC Association of Chiefs of Police is working with the Ministry to implement the SAE standard as a means of measuring motorcycle exhaust noise at roadside.