COIR, May 2010--Keeping You Informed

The City of Golden like so many cities and towns lately, is trying to rid themselves of motorcycles noise. With more people moving into Golden, business owners are finding motorcyclists bring in a great deal of revenue, but there is a price to pay, motorcycles are not as quiet as a few residents would like. It seems that the newcomers to the City of Golden are making more noise than the motorcycles. Is this noise actually noise or just a ploy on the part of the City of Golden and some business owners to rid Golden of motorcycles? It certainly appears to be the case.

Colorado Model Traffic Code: MTC 225. Mufflers-Prevention of Noise, states, “No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle….”

The City of Golden adopted this code in 2008 with the following addition:

“The Golden City Council has set the fine, paid to the city, at $100 for the first violation of this Code.” Golden then set up a city wide public campaign to promote this code under the name “Silence is Golden--Ride & Drive Community-Friendly.”

This campaign was taken to all downtown businesses to inform them and ask for their help to rid the town of the perceived noise problems caused by motorcycles. Many businesses did just that–asking their clientele to ride safely and ride quietly when exiting their city near the foothills. These business owners have done all that has been asked of them, and more. It has become common knowledge when riding motorcycles in downtown Golden that one should ride with as minimal noise as possible. The incidents of any rider trying to make noise, or even being inconsiderate, are few and far between.

It seems that the people doing the most complaining have moved into the downtown area knowing all to well that there are businesses that may have motorcyclist as guests, and that they rely on motorcyclists to bring much-needed revenue into this establishments, and thereby in to The City Of Golden tax coffers. Whether it is a new business to the area, or someone moving into a new loft downtown, these people seem to be making more noise than the motorcycles–via multiple complaints to the City of Golden Police Department or in numerous hearings at City Council.

One particular complainant is City Councilwoman Karen Oxman, who resides just a block away from Washington Street, downtown Golden’s main thoroughfare, and the location of a the Buffalo Rose Saloon popular with area motorcyclists. She is noted as calling the police so many times during events in downtown Golden, that police are now obligated to make appearances at events to over-enforce solutions to her many complaints.

Another example of excessive complaints is a new business downtown–a day spa, where customers presumably seek out relaxation and quiet. The choice of the location for this business was just wrong for this function. Downtown is full of excitement and events of all types. Noise is a byproduct of that. The new owner of this business either made a poor choice of location, or should have planned his remodel to include noise barriers for his clients. The establishments that owner allegedly has problems with cater to motorcyclists, and have been long established, so it should be no surprise when his clients hear a motorcycle pull up.

The City of Golden has even gone as far as to keep surveillance cameras trained on the Buffalo Rose, perhaps so the Golden Police Department can specifically monitor motorcyclists arriving and leaving this establishment. If motorcyclists appear to be in non-compliance in any manner, an officer is dispatched. Although legal, this is nothing more than profiling and targeting a specific group of motorists. Simply put, the City of Golden is just not biker friendly, or rather, is allowing itself to become that way at the behest of a few self-important individuals.

This type of heavy-handed enforcement has an effect on all motorcyclists.

One business owner, the Buffalo Rose has tired of these constant hassles targeting their clientele, and would like to hear of any issues--complaints, police stops, etcetera, stemming from this issue. If you have been ticketed, stopped or otherwise contacted by Golden police in regard to motorcycle exhaust noise or other motorcycle issues, e-mail the details, and a copy of the ticket/summons, to the Buff, which will then pass that information on to their attorney. For now, however, you will be responsible for dealing with the ticket, but your information may be valuable in confronting these abuses. Please contact them with any information that you may have concerning these issues. The Buffalo Rose can be reached by e-mail at thebuffalorose@hotmail.com or by calling 303-278-6800.