Anti-noise radar: advocacy for electric two-wheelers

The government wants to automate the fight against noise pollution from certain motorized two-wheelers. The first anti-noise radars will be installed ahead of the first citations this year.

New step toward the implementation of sound radars: after an initial design phase on a test track, the first real-world tests are underway. Ecology Minister Barbara Pompili will inaugurate a control point this Tuesday, January 4th, according to a (subscriber-only) article from Le Parisien.

Three devices for “automatic noise emission level control of vehicles” from three different manufacturers will be installed along departmental road 46 in the Chevreuse Valley (Yvelines), a winding road popular among motorcyclists. Additional control points will be installed in the coming days in seven other cities, including Île-de-France, Bron, Nice, and Toulouse.

The trigger threshold has not yet been decided, but Jean-Noël Barrot, the deputy behind the project, assures that “the system aims to sanction behaviors that are extremely minor, such as people tampering with their motorcycle or scooter.” After an approval phase in the first half of the year, citations are expected to begin in 2022. The fine would be 135 euros.

Sound radars are a response to the abandonment last year of the technical control for motorized two-wheelers, which would have complicated the use of non-approved exhaust systems.

The dream of a noise-free city

According to the Noise Observatory in Île-de-France, noise causes Parisians to lose eleven months of healthy life expectancy. And according to the Agency for Ecological Transition (Ademe), due to health effects related to lack of sleep and the devaluation of exposed properties, the cost of noise is estimated at 147 billion euros per year. As a result, 87% of Parisians support increased controls and penalties.

If we can imagine that noise contributes to the pleasure of driving, let’s briefly imagine the tranquility of cities where only electric two-wheelers would circulate. Perhaps even equipped with fake exhaust pipes, as Porsche is considering for its cars?

Also read: What if electric cars had exhaust pipes? Porsche considers it