Bikers worried that a proposal to crack down on vehicle noise would target them filled the Fort Dodge City Council chambers Monday, prompting elected officials to back away from the plan.
Council members seemed surprised by the plan, drafted by City Attorney Maurice Breen at the request of the Police Department. Several of the elected officials said they hadn't received any complaints about motorcycle noise.
After about 45 minutes of discussion, the plan was set aside. However, council members said they'd like to draft a law to address noisy engine brakes on semitrailers.
Under the proposal unveiled Monday, vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 pounds would be in violation if they could be heard 300 feet away.
Vehicles that weigh 10,000 pounds or more would be in violation if they could be heard 600 feet away.
''Is this a perfect solution? No,'' Breen said. ''Does it give the officers a better opportunity to deal with the noise? It probably does.''
When questioned by Councilwoman Cindy Litwiller, Assistant Police Chief Kevin Doty couldn't say how many vehicle noise complaints the police force has received.
About 65 people, many wearing clothes bearing Harley-Davidson logos, attended the meeting. Some of them, fearing their beloved ''Hogs'' were the target of the plan, spoke against it.
Harley-Davidson owner Kelly Moore, of Fort Dodge, said the few noise complaints seem to come from a couple of spots in town.
''Why should most law-abiding Harley owners have to suffer for problems in a specific location?'' he asked.
Doug Smith, the district director for the motorcycle group A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education, told the council that the proposal could deter bikers from visiting For Dodge.
'We do a lot of good things with the motorcycle runs,'' he said. ''This ordinance would maybe cause my district to not play in Fort Dodge anymore. Let's promote Fort Dodge, not put down a bunch of rules that say we don't want you here.''
Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net