Yarmouth Resident Wants to Curb Motorcycle Noise Again

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YARMOUTH – For the fourth year in a row, a Yarmouth resident is bringing his petitioner’s articles to town meeting in May in an attempt curb noise from motorcycle rides through Yarmouth.

Harris Contos submitted two articles calling for required muffler screenings before large motorcycle rides and the release of noise-testing results to the public.

If passed, the articles would affect two major motorcycle rides that are held in the town every year.

Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen in July and the First Responder Freedom Ride in May, which both travel through Yarmouth, are impacted by the articles.

Rick Gleason, legislative director of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, said that he has not heard about any complaints about motorcycles in the town.

“I’ve gone to the police department, I’ve met with police, they don’t get call about supposedly illegal motorcycles, they just don’t,” said Gleason. “I don’t understand what the background is, and he specifically mentioned motor vehicles, but he zeroes in right on motorcycles only.”

The Association is holding a special meeting on April 4 at 7 p.m. at the West Barnstable Community Building to discuss the articles and their ramifications and is open to all motorcycle riders.

Gleason plans to speak with Yarmouth selectman about the issue at their meeting tomorrow night.

He said that even if the articles pass at town meeting, the Attorney General may refuse to approve them.

“This is an over-reaching town by-law if it were to be passed,” said Gleason. “It’s more restrictive than the laws in the state and that just doesn’t hold up well for the Attorney General’s office.”

By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter