Editor: So, okay, it鈥檚 warm and sunny summertime again and motorcycles are everywhere back on the road. That鈥檚 great!

I get on my cruiser every chance I get, though it鈥檚 not nearly often enough. My reason for writing is that I鈥檝e got a bouquet and a beef on this subject.

Here鈥檚 my bouquet: on behalf of my fellow riders, I just want to offer a big thank you for the advisory notices the provincial government issues on overhead signs on major highways that advise drivers to look out of us two-wheelers. Much appreciated.

You can鈥檛 remind drivers often enough to look out for us.

But I鈥檝e got beef as well. Too many bikes 鈥� especially the big cruisers, though it鈥檚 not just them 鈥� have loud pipes, very loud. Whenever the subject comes up with bikers it generally goes in the direction of, 鈥渓oud pipes save lives.鈥� That鈥檚 just plain hogwash.

Bikers who install and defend loud pipes just don鈥檛 know how (or want) to drive defensively.

It鈥檚 that simple. I鈥檝e been riding a cruiser for years. The best thing I did to get noticed is add a couple of daylight running headlights.

Visibility has never been an issue since.

Loud pipes are entirely unnecessary, plainly obnoxious and socially offensive.

I鈥檝e never studied psychology, but it seems to me that little people need loud pipes. To all the cops out there 鈥� tickets for loud bikes? Bring 鈥檈m on!

All the best and safe riding.

Ali Apetrots,

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