UP TO SPEED
MOAB, UTAH’S NOISE ORDINANCE TARGETS MOTORCYCLISTS The City Council aims to cool tensions between residents, but motorcycle advocates argue the measure misses the mark By Kali Kotoski
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strict new noise ordinance passed by Moab’s City Council in late April — if fully enforced — would unfairly target local motorcyclists in the area, claim advocates that see the ordinance as heavy-handed, predatory and potentially devastating to riding opportunities in eastern Utah. They also say that the ordinance does not address the root causes of the problems, nor works to find a fair solution based on real-world sound testing. After years of surging recreational tourism largely fueled by the growing popularity of UTVs, noise pollution has become one of the most controversial issues in Moab, dividing the community with some residents casting blame on all
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OHVs while motorcycle riders insist that practical regulations can cool temperatures without infringing on motorcyclist’s rights, explained Clif Koontz, executive director of the nonprofit Ride with Respect. Meanwhile, tourism-related OHV businesses worry that harsh restrictions could cap growth potential. “Noise has been a legitimate concern in Moab for decades, but the issue became critical in 2015 with the influx of UTVs on the streets,” Koontz said. “We need pragmatic and enforceable solutions like stationary sound testing, but that needs to account for differences in vehicle types because UTVs operate at consistently higher RPMs and generate more sound.”
By lumping all vehicle types to a single stationary standard, the ordinance winds up being stricter toward motorcycles and automobiles than they are toward UTVs, he added. The Moab City Council on April 27 voted to adopt a noise ordinance for all vehicles stricter than nationally-recognized standards, with additional restrictions during the nighttime and on weekends. The council agreed to a 92-decibel limit following an adoption of the same level by Grand County officials a week prior. While the Moab 92 dBa limit is in effect between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, the window is shortened to 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. Nighttime limits drop drastically to 85 dBa with no seasonal changes. Street-legal OHVs, including motorcycles, would be tested for compliance using a stationary test with the engine revved to 50 percent of its maximum RPM, according to the ordinance. The ordinance also sets other specific decibel limits for tests from 25 and 50 feet away. The Moab City Council argues that the 92 dBa limit is achievable because most stock OHVs can meet this standard, or can be modified to meet it with aftermarket parts. “I do feel like if this noise ordinance can reinstate confidence in our relationship between residents and the
