How lucky we are to have the warm weather back, along with the obnoxious, illegal, loud bikes.

More than a month ago, I contacted the state police about this ridiculous problem and their response was they were short on manpower and they didn’t have any decibel meters.

Last May, Gov. Paul LePage signed a law that went into effect immediately and there is no provision in it or any other law in Maine that requires a police officer to use decibel meters.

The new law states that if, in the opinion of an officer, a bike is too loud, the operator can be issued a ticket. He then has the option of challenging the ticket by taking his bike to a mechanic who is certified to conduct a SAE J2825 test. If the bike passes the noise test, the operator can use this test in his defense. If not, he will more than likely have to pay the fine.

If we could figure out why less than 5 percent of our population can ruin our summers and get away with it, then we may be able to answer why we pay people to pass laws that get ignored.

I tried to contact the sheriff’s office to ask how many tickets they have issued in the last two years for loud exhaust or no inspection sticker on bikes. I was told that I had to file a complaint and then I could call and ask about the complaint.

It is my understanding that all law enforcement officers are sworn to uphold the law and enforce it — that is, all laws, not just the ones that is convenient for them.

Joseph Rocque Jr.

Windsor

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