I must respond to Tammy Nadeau-Mallory’s letter concerning Bentley’s Saloon (“Bentley’s is an asset to area,” June 19, page 9). Is Ms. Nadeau-Mallory aware that while she and her friends are on their merry way for fun and games at Bentley’s that hundreds of community residents suffer from the noise of their mufflers? Every weekend many of us must suffer the continuous roar of motorcycle noise invading our homes and disturbing our peace.

Motorcycles do not have to be loud. The Environmental Protective Agency sets noise emissions standards for motorcycles at 80 decibels. That is only 10 decibels louder than a car traveling at 40 miles an hour; so new motorcycles have fairly quiet mufflers. All motorcycles are required to display an EPA label that warns that tampering with the muffler system is in violation of federal law. Yet many bikers ignore this warning and install loud pipe mufflers. People exposed to this kind of noise on a regular basis suffer from sleep deprivation, chronic fatigue, anxiety, hostility, depression and hypertension. Also, removing the stock muffler eliminates the catalytic converter, which results in greater air pollutants.

Riders often claim that loud pipes save lives because they are more likely to be heard by distracted motorists. There is no study on record or statistical correlation between the noise level of a motorcycle and its ability to reduce accidents. In fact, the noise decreases a rider’s ability to hear pedestrians and other vehicles, including emergency vehicles. Let’s face it, bikers install loud mufflers because they like the noise. Repeatedly I have witnessed bikers revving unnecessarily at a red light and then loudly accelerating when the light turns green. 

I noticed a sign at Bentley’s that reads: “Respect the community. Leave the area quietly.” If Bentley Warren is truly concerned about the community, he should encourage his patrons to obey the law and ride with EPA approved mufflers. Anyone with a loud pipe muffler should not be allowed to participate in his benefit rides.

Because Bentley’s attracts so many bikers riding with loud illegal mufflers causing disturbance in our community, I would be greatly relieved if the Arundel selectmen revoked its license to operate.

Claire Unsinn

Kennebunk