• psycho_driver@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1136·
    2 months ago

    I’m fine with bikes being noisy. Bikes can be hard to see, sometimes I hear them before I see them.

    I’m not fine with douchenozzles intentionally revving them up in otherwise quiet subdivisions as the OP describes.

    • stoy@lemmy.zipEnglish
      121·
      2 months ago

      This is the classic argument for loud bikes, and it shows a lack of understanding physics and human nature.

      Physics, the sound is generated by the exhaust pointing backwards, this means that the sound doesn’t propagate well ahead of the bike, but way better behind the bike.

      Human nature, human nature when hearing a loud sound is to find the source, however, by the time a driver has heard the sound the source have often passed, causing a needless distraction. Also, bikes tend to make a very basy sound, this is terrible for humans to hear the direction of.

      Finally, if bikers are so concerned about being noticed by other drivers, why don’t they wear high visibility vests and trousers?

      • iamdefinitelyoverthirteen@lemmy.worldEnglish
        22·
        2 months ago

        Most bikes are not bassy it’s mostly thumpers and harleys that are bassy. Just wait until you get passed by a bunch of squids on sport bikes with parallel twins and I4s, those are much higher, and represent a large percentage of the bikers out there.

        Also, I’m grateful that my bike is loud. I don’t rev it to high hell though, but an additional sensory input for the fuckhead texting on the freeway is not a bad thing. A lot of people where I live (Seattle) don’t pay attention on the road and it’s pretty scary on a bike surrounded by them sometimes. Sometimes it is simply not possible to have a decent safety bubble when there’s traffic.

        • stoy@lemmy.zipEnglish
          1·
          2 months ago

          Most bikes are not bassy it’s mostly thumpers and harleys that are bassy.

          Fair critisism.

          Just wait until you get passed by a bunch of squids on sport bikes with parallel twins and I4s, those are much higher

          I know, they attract idiots who refuse to keep the playtime to the track, and endanger everyone else.

          an additional sensory input for the fuckhead texting on the freeway is not a bad thing.

          The depends on the stimuli, a sudden loud noise as a bike zooms past a distracted driver is a TERRIBLE “sensory input” as you say, it could easily cause the driver to swerve causing a big accident which would not happen if not for the noise triggering it.

          You could, and should argue that the distracted driver should not have been driving distractedly, I would however add that the biker should not have driven past at so high speed that they other drivers only notice them once they have passed.

    • FuzzyRedPanda@lemm.eeEnglish
      121·
      2 months ago

      I agree with you, and I absolutely don’t wish harm or accidents to anyone on a motorcycle.

      A guy in my neighborhood just bought a motorcycle. He doesn’t rev it up or try to be inconsiderate, but just the act of twisting the throttle to drive away at a slow speed violates the city noise ordinance and can be heard for a half mile or more.

    • Malfeasant@lemm.eeEnglish
      61·
      2 months ago

      sometimes I hear them before I see them.

      Maybe you should try looking?

      • ByteOnBikes@slrpnk.netEnglish
        5·
        2 months ago

        Not sure why you’re being downvoted.

        I’ve been riding for years but had to renew my license. The motorcycle tests now has a section where you have to find the motorcyclist in the rain.

        And honestly, that section broke me. I love riding in dark colors on my dark bike. But I’d be god damn near invisible in the rain.

        And I wished this test was forced on everybody (motorcyclists, car heads, hell even bike riders).

        • captainlezbian@lemmy.worldEnglish
          5·
          2 months ago

          Yeah something like flashing or cycling cym on the back and sides. As long as it’s unmistakable it’s good. Noise is a huge disruption and it isn’t clear about location. Lights are

          • Andonyx@lemmy.worldEnglish
            5·
            2 months ago

            It’s only visible from the back, but more bikes are coming equipped with brake lights that strobe for a second when activated to get more attention. (We only have one rear brake light, compared to three on cars). And now it’s easy to find add-on helmet lights that also activate with the brakes. Not the all-rounder lighting you’re talking about, but early info seems promising.

            • captainlezbian@lemmy.worldEnglish
              2·
              2 months ago

              That’s good. I want y’all to be visible and safe, I just really don’t want y’all to wake the dead riding past