Is the "noise" threatening to kill the classic car?
06/03/2020
With Corona, it seems that people have become more sensitive to noise. Never before have there been so many reports of so-called "car posers", i.e. people who "present" modified and often loud modern cars and sometimes let them roar. This does not go down well everywhere, and the reaction from politicians and the police is correspondingly harsh.
But that's not all, motorcyclists also seem to be getting a raw deal. In Austria, more precisely in Tyrol, motorcycles that produce a stationary noise of more than 95 dB(A) at close range will be banned from certain roads from June 10 to October 31, 2020. And this by no means only affects noise-optimized modern motorcycles; old motorcycles, which have always been somewhat louder, could also fall through the cracks.
Driving bans are apparently also being considered in Germany, where noise emissions for new motorcycles are to be limited to a maximum of 80 dB(A). And driving bans on Sundays and public holidays are apparently already being debated.
An online counter-petition has even been launched as a counter-movement, which has already been "signed" by over 140,000 enthusiasts.
It's only a small step from a motorcycle to an old car. Even old cars can get pretty loud and this is even completely legal, because of course there were no noise regulations 100 years ago. For us fans, the noise is of course part of the overall experience, but residents living near busy mountain passes or excursion roads probably think differently.
So it could happen that it is not CO2 or NOx emissions that are most dangerous for the old car, but noise emissions. We are not there yet, but it is worth remaining vigilant and keeping a close eye on the actions of politicians and lawmakers.
Apparently, the issue of possible motorcycle driving bans due to noise is already being discussed in the various commissions of the FIVA, the world classic car association. That's good!
P.S. One more note: In many cases, you can influence the noise level of your vehicle yourself. Most classic car drivers are aware of the sensitivity of local residents and are disciplined in their driving, especially as senseless revving is rarely good for the engine.
