The City of Toronto’s dedicated Noise Bylaw Enforcement Team and Toronto Police are joining forces this summer to host two series of events to help address speeding and motorcycle noise, one focused on education and another on enforcement.
The City continues to receive complaints regarding excessive noise from vehicles and motorcycles, which is often a result of speeding. While the Noise Bylaw prohibits unnecessary noise, bylaw enforcement officers do not have the authority to pull over vehicles in motion. This specific authority is granted to Toronto Police under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA), who also have jurisdiction over speeding.
Under the Noise Bylaw, the noise from motorcycle exhaust outlets when idle, measured 50 cm away, should not exceed 92 dB(A) on a sound level meter. The City will host the following educational events to allow riders to have their bike tested to ensure sound levels are within acceptable limits:
No tickets will be given out at the educational events and all riders are welcome.
Toronto Police and bylaw enforcement officers will also hold joint enforcement events throughout the summer at strategic locations based on complaints received by 311 and in-field data. Those locations will not be made public ahead of time.
At these events, Toronto Police will be addressing infractions under the HTA such as speeding and illegally-modified exhaust systems in vehicles and motorcycles. The City’s bylaw enforcement officers will be addressing motorcycle noise, which includes measuring bikes when idle and issuing fines, when warranted.
City bylaw enforcement and Toronto Police continue to work with Mayor John Tory on further action to address street racing, stunt driving and increased noise. On June 30, Mayor Tory sent a letter to Chief James Ramer and Carleton Grant, Executive Director of Municipal Licensing & Standards, to outline his support for increased enforcement on street racing, stunt driving, and disruptive vehicle noise in the city from Toronto Police and City bylaw officers.
Quotes:
“Street racing and stunt driving is continuing to rise disrupting our neighbourhoods and putting the lives of pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers in the city at risk. We also know that noise from motorcycles and modified vehicles is also continuing to rise and frustrate residents across the city. This is just one way that we are working together to address this issue and ensure that those who are participating in this disruptive behaviour are held accountable and aware of the rules in place to keep everyone safe.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Toronto Police are committed to the City’s Vision Zero plan and delivering effective speed enforcement is a big part of keeping people in this city safe. We’ve also heard loud and clear from people that they’re fed up with the noise being unnecessarily created by modified vehicles and enforcement in this area is being stepped up.”
– Superintendent Scott Baptist, Toronto Police Service.
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