New York City has many visitors. It is an important part of our economy. And generally speaking we embrace all - outsiders, outcasts, iconoclasts. The melange of characters and people already here dilute things that it is difficult for one person or group to really ruffle any feathers. But there are abrasives that even in New York City can rub one the wrong way. And one of those things are motorcycle gangs. They seem curiously out of place here but for the most part are tolerated. Dilution in the world of New York generally makes them a fleeting image. They frequently congregate in various locations such as near Gray's Papaya in the Village. Time is spent eating, cavorting and sporting their hardware. And off they go in a roar.
However, the roar of a pack of bikers is one thing but when some use straight pipes (no mufflers), the sound can be deafening. It is illegal, but prosecution is difficult. I have witnessed sounds that are literally like explosions. I am sure most bikers are law biding, but the few bad apples really spoil the barrel and the outlaw image is strengthened.
There are things that can not be diluted. Like sand in water ...
5 comments:
These bikes present the same problem in Vancouver and I imagine most big cities. The type of bike seen here probably doesn't need a modified exhaust to make an incredible amount of noise. I can literally hear these bikes from several blocks away when they deliberately wind them out.
I used to ride motorcycles and I'm not against them but I'm all for courtesy and consideration which is the formula that ultimately determines how livable a city will be.
Ah! I like the conclusion and title.
I sympathize although I've never really noticed them (I guess the UWS is not their neighborhood of predilection).
Yup, a few rotten apples can really spoil the whole barrel — and I'm obviously not just talking about bikers. It's sad really, because I think that there are actually more good people than bad. Except that the bad ones are louder, just like those bikes.
It's funny but to me this is welcome sight, not the gangs but the bikes. The TT road races here, once a year, bring in bikers, well behaved ones, who are a boon to the economy.How onw photo can inspires such different reations.
I like the loud bikes personally...hearing the roar out of my window is kind of fun. Beyond that, loud pipes save lives. I hear that sometimes when cars are merging left and right, loud pipes can make the car more aware of their presence. I can understand that they may not need to be as loud as an explosion for that...but I dunno...kinda like em.
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