STOP SENATE BILL SB5544!
PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO RIDE YOUR ORV/ATV

Pocatello, ID (3/13/2007) -The Washington State Legislature is currently considering drastic changes to the offroad vehicle noise laws.

The proposed changes would include creating maximum sound levels for riding near any residence, regardless of where that residence is located or how it is zoned. It would become illegal to ride if your bike is either plainly audible or exceeds 45 decibels from inside of, or with 10 feet of any residence. This would even include residences that are on farm land, forest land or in an industrial area. It would also be illegal to ride if your bike exceeds 55 decibels at the property line. The fine for this new crime would be a minimum of $100, going up to a maximum of $800.

These new limits would only apply to your dirtbike or quad. It would not apply to other, more common sources of residential noise such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, cars, trucks, boats, airplanes, stereos, playgrounds, ball fields, etc. It is just plain discrimination against ORV use and has nothing to do with keeping neighborhoods quiet.

If this becomes law, forget about riding any track in the State of Washington. Also, you can count on the vast majority of riding areas shutting down.

You can find additional information on this subject at http://www.stumpjumpers.org/legislative/

Contact your State Senator and two House of Representatives members NOW! Let them know what you think of this discriminatory piece of legislation.

Find them on the web at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

Or send them a phone message using 1-800-562-6000

DO IT NOW - YOUR RIGHT TO RIDE IS AT STAKE!

Tod Petersen
Vice President NMA

Brian Hawthorne
BlueRibbon Coalition
brbrian@sharetrails.org