Road bans as a result of complaints about excessive noise are a serious problem in countries like Austria and Germany. Regina Stiller, chair of Bikers’ Voice, the Austrian motorcyclists’ organisation, calls on all motorcyclists to stand together in the fight against these road bans.

What if the unfortunate 95 dB stationary noise regulation in Austria (90 dB in Germany) remains and even expands to other parts or all of Europe? Because we own vehicles that could not have been registered for the European market or even sold without the EU homologation process, I and many, many other consumers would like to have my/their money back or compensation payments, including interest.

The consumer has no influence on the approval process. The criteria for this procedure are being developed behind closed doors between EU political leaders, noise emissions experts and other experts and should be met by the manufacturers. This process is subject to independent quality control and the end consumer, the motorcyclist, should therefore be able to assume that the product purchased in Europe and left in its original condition complies with these requirements. If it doesn’t, the question arises: who neglected their part in the procedure, perhaps tricked or even consciously manipulated it? Were false reports accidentally created on which the homologation process was based? Who takes or has responsibility now? We as road users are currently being attacked and neither drivers nor cyclists would submissively accept that.

‘We can only defend ourselves with professional lawyers and experts if the motorcyclists’ community provides us with the means to do so.’

79% of bikers are affected by a 90 dB stationary noise regulation. Since buyers of e-bikes in Germany are now also subject to a driving ban on various routes, this can no longer be justified by noise emissions and excessively loud stationary noise. Together with our lawyer, we are thinking about possible legal steps to get to the bottom of all this nonsense and put a stop to it.

For the sake of all bikers, please stop talking about a hobby! You make it too easy for those in charge and for residents; it is easier to ban or limit a hobby than it is to ban or limit fully-fledged road users that are part of our mobility system. Many bikers already use the motorcycle to get to work or school. Many commuters ride every day, even in winter (except when there is snow/ice). For these riders, a driving ban or a 95/90 dB stationary noise regulation is a true catastrophe.

Your support is extremely important now. Whining on Facebook doesn’t change anything, it just robs us all of the much-needed energy. We can only defend ourselves with professional lawyers and experts if the motorcyclists’ community provides us with the means to do so, because we are only strong together, so join your national motorcyclists’ organisation today!

Written by Regina Stiller

Top photograph courtesy of News5/Merzbach

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