VIJFHEERENLANDEN – Municipalities around the Lekdijk receive many reports every year about noise nuisance that is mainly caused by motorcyclists. The municipality of Vijfheerenlanden wants to tackle this hard by purchasing a noise meter together with other municipalities. This afternoon they are giving a demonstration to other municipalities in the hope that they will help (financially) to reduce this problem.
Alderman Huib Zevenhuizen of the municipality of Vijfheerenlanden tells Radio M Utrecht that the nuisance is quite large. “We are receiving an increasing number of complaints about this. We have already taken a number of steps previously, but we now want to expand that approach against noise pollution.”
A year ago, targeted noise reports were made on the Lekdijk. “Then it turned out that a large number of motorcyclists also went over the noise limit.” According to Zevenhuizen, the offenders are therefore shocked by the fines they will receive. “That starts with 450 euros until not being able to drive the engine any further if the noise is far above the limit.”
Although he would like to reduce the nuisance, it is not the case that motorcycling on the Lekdijk is completely discouraged, says Zevenhuizen. “It’s about getting rid of the excesses.”
Police Sound Meter
Although the police are willing to do something about it, the resources are limited. “There are only a few noise measurements available at the police, but they are used in various places in the country,” says Zevenhuizen. For that reason, the alderman of Vijfheerenlanden wants to call on other municipalities to jointly buy a sound meter and make it available to the police. “This would then be used in places where noise pollution is reported.”
Two engines are on display at this afternoon’s demonstration: one with an engineered exhaust and one that meets factory standards. “After that, we will enter into discussions with other municipalities around the Lekdijk and ask them whether they are interested in purchasing a sound meter together.
‘serious money’
A device for performing noise measurements is not cheap: 20,000 euros. There are also annual maintenance costs of 1000 euros. “So it’s about serious money. That’s why the proposal for cooperation.”
Yet Zevenhuizen also understands motorcyclists who let you hear how loud the sound of their bike is. “I also ride a motorcycle myself, I like that too,” says the alderman. “But in some places it really isn’t possible. And we can see from the number of reports that something is really going on.”