| << Back 12/21/05 Let motorcyclists enjoy themselves SMN To the Editor: I just read the column in the Smoky Mountain News regarding motorcycle rallies in Maggie Valley by Guest Columnist Lee Shelton (“The downside of motorcycle tourism,” Dec. 7, The Smoky Mountain News). My wife and I live in west Kentucky and have contemplated moving to the Maggie Valley/Waynesville/Boone or Black Mountain area when we retire, hopefully in the next 10 years. You live in a wonderful part of the country and I can understand your concern with the disruptions caused by hundreds of visitors flocking to your area. As a motorcyclist, I enjoy riding in your area because of the great roads and scenery. As a backpacker, I have experienced the upset caused by a noisy Harley when I’ve been on the Appalachian Trail for a couple of days, and all other noise from civilization has been left behind. (Well, except for the occasional jet flying over.) When I read an editorial like yours, it concerns me that a community like Maggie Valley might consider banning motorcycles. I ride a Harley myself. It has the factory exhaust and is no louder than a stock Honda or my wife’s PT Cruiser for that matter. There is an irresponsible minority of motorcyclists (some of those loud pipes you’re hearing are on Hondas, Yamahas, or Suzukis) that feel it is their “right” to create an uproar wherever they go. Most communities already have noise pollution laws in effect. Enforcing those laws, yes, even during rallies, should have the effect of weeding out the loud pipes crowd. Cracking down on those individuals that feel it is necessary to blip their throttles at every stoplight and generally call attention to themselves might be a reasonable compromise to banning rallies. We don’t attend rallies but, during a calendar year, do spend a week, sometimes two at the Jonathon Creek Inn in Maggie Valley. (The last time was in August of this year.) I hope your beautiful community will not make a move to ban all motorcyclists from your area, and I’m afraid a ban of motorcycle rallies would be a step in that direction. Joe Roetteis |
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