Is it okay to call 110 to report motorcycle noise pollution? What to do if you're reported.

Report Noisy Motorcycles to the Land Transport Bureau

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If you are bothered by noisy motorcycles, you probably first think of reporting them to the police, and if you call 110, police officers will come to the scene.

If you are chronically bothered by a noisy motorcycle, in addition to reporting it to the police for action, it can be more effective to report it to the Land Transport Bureau.

What to convey when reporting

When reporting a noisy motorcycle to the police or the Land Transport Bureau, provide the date and time you were disturbed by the noise, the location, and if known, the make, color, and license plate number of the noisy motorcycle.

Also, if you call "#9110", a police officer will listen to your concerns, so if you are troubled by motorcycle noise, it might be a good idea to consult them.

When reporting to the Land Transport Bureau, just as with reporting to the police, you should provide the date and time, location, and the characteristics and license plate number of the motorcycle. However, it's difficult for them to take action without the motorcycle's make and license plate number, so you need to obtain this information.

If the noise problem isn't resolved after reporting

Even if reporting doesn't immediately yield results, don't give up. It's recommended to report to the police multiple times.

Noisy motorcyclists dislike being cracked down on by the police, so if they believe they will be reported to the police for making noise, they will likely reduce the noise they make.

While results may not be immediate, continuing to report can sometimes lead to the resolution of noise problems.

Is the reporter's information protected?

Some people may be concerned that if they report to the police, their identity as the reporter might be revealed. However, even if you report, your information will not be leaked to others.

Furthermore, even if you report to the Land Transport Bureau, your information will not be leaked to those who are causing a nuisance. So, if you feel you can no longer tolerate the noise, please report with peace of mind.

Why doesn't the police crack down?

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Even if you report noisy motorcycles to the police, the problem may not always be resolved, which might lead you to wonder if reporting is futile.

The police respond to reports and head to the scene, but it's often difficult to crack down on noisy motorcycles at the right moment, which can prevent the noise problem from being resolved.

Difficulty in cracking down on noise

For noisy motorcycles, a noise measurement is taken to determine if there is a violation. However, there are rules for noise measurement, and it is difficult for responding police officers to conduct sound level measurements.

However, if the motorcycle has been intentionally modified to produce loud noises, such as by cutting the muffler at the bottom, it can be cracked down on for muffler defects or violations of safety standards.

In Kagawa Prefecture, there are cases where crackdowns are carried out by applying all relevant laws and regulations, such as the Road Transport Vehicle Act. Therefore, if there are annoying noisy motorcycles, you should report them to the police.

Reference: https://www.pref.kagawa.lg.jp/kocho/kocho/koe/k1626040225.html

(Kagawa Prefecture: List of Residents' Voices)

They're gone by the time the police arrive

Even if a noisy motorcycle is reported, it's often the case that the troublesome motorcycle has already left by the time police officers arrive at the scene.

On average, it takes about 8 minutes for police officers to arrive at the scene after a report is made, and in 8 minutes, a noisy motorcycle would likely have driven away from the location.

Thus, there are many cases where police officers rush to the scene after a report, but the noisy motorcycle has already departed, making it impossible for them to take action.

If you repeatedly witness it, report it to the Land Transport Bureau or local government.

If there's a noisy motorcycle in your neighborhood or you frequently see one, it's advisable to report it to the Land Transport Bureau.

Furthermore, if there is a noisy motorcycle in a multi-unit dwelling such as an apartment building, directly warning or confronting the owner carries risks such as retaliation. Therefore, it is best to report it to the building management company or residents' association.

Additionally, local government offices have resident consultation services and complaint hotlines, so if you are continuously bothered by noise, consulting with the local government is another option.

Self-help is generally prohibited.

The law has a principle against self-help, which means that even if you are troubled by motorcycle noise to the extent that it interferes with your daily life, actions such as destroying the motorcycle yourself or verbally abusing the motorcycle owner are prohibited.

If you take direct action, such as damaging the motorcycle or verbally abusing the owner, you could face criminal penalties for property damage or other offenses.

Do not attempt to resolve the issue yourself; always consult with the police or a government office, and work through them to resolve the noise problem.

History of Motorcycle Noise Regulations

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Motorcycle noise regulations have tended to become stricter over the years, and newly sold motorcycles must comply with the current, more stringent regulations.

Surprisingly, the first noise regulations in Japan were introduced a long time ago, in 1952, and the 1971 regulations that followed include what are now considered vintage motorcycles.

<h3>1971 Noise Regulation Values</h3>

	Stationary Noise Level	Acceleration Noise Level
Light two-wheelers (126cc to 250cc)	74dB	84dB
Small two-wheelers (over 251cc)	74dB	86dB

Under the noise regulation values introduced in 1971, light two-wheelers (126cc to 250cc) had a stationary noise level of up to 74dB and an acceleration noise level of up to 84dB. For motorcycles over 251cc, the stationary noise level was up to 74dB and the acceleration noise level was up to 86dB.

Stationary noise level refers to the sound level measured when driving at 60% of the engine's maximum output rotation speed. If the speed exceeds 50 km/h, it is measured at 50 km/h.

Acceleration noise level, on the other hand, is the sound level measured 10 meters from the point where full acceleration begins from a stationary noise measurement state.

1986 Noise Regulation Values

The 1986 regulations, a significant tightening from the 1971 regulations, introduced not only stationary and acceleration noise levels but also proximity noise levels.

	Stationary Noise Level	Acceleration Noise Level	Proximity Noise Level
Light two-wheelers (126cc to 250cc)	74dB	75dB	99dB
Small two-wheelers (over 251cc)	74dB	75dB	99dB

Proximity noise level is a measurement method performed with the engine warmed up, in neutral gear, and at 75% of maximum output (or 5,000 rpm if the rotation speed exceeds 5,000 rpm at that point).

The position of the measuring device is also stipulated: it is placed 7.5 meters away from the exhaust direction at a 45-degree angle.

2001 Noise Regulation Values

	Stationary Noise Level	Acceleration Noise Level	Proximity Noise Level
Light two-wheelers (126cc to 250cc)	71dB	73dB	94dB
Small two-wheelers (over 251cc)	72dB	73dB	94dB

Domestic motorcycle manufacturers were already scrambling to comply with the 1986 noise regulations, but the 2001 regulations further tightened restrictions on sound levels, leading to the discontinuation of some models that couldn't meet the new standards.

Although the stationary noise level appears to have only changed by 3dB from the 1986 regulations, comparing silent (0dB) and 3dB to a radio, 3dB is a level where broadcast content can be clearly heard.

Motorcycle manufacturers have made painstaking efforts to comply with the regulations, such as using rubber to suppress engine vibrations and installing sound-absorbing materials behind chain covers.

2014 Noise Regulation Values

In the 2014 noise regulations, motorcycle categories were renamed to classes, divided into three classes: Class 1 to 3.

	Stationary Noise Level	Acceleration Noise Level	Proximity Noise Level
Class 1 (50cc)	Abolished	73dB	Abolished
Class 2 (125cc)	Abolished	74dB	Abolished
Class 3 (over 126cc)	Abolished	77dB	Abolished

Furthermore, stationary noise levels and proximity noise levels were abolished, and measurements are now taken only for acceleration noise levels.

The 2014 noise regulations were introduced for new models starting January 2014, for existing models (those sold since the previous year) starting January 2015, and for imported models starting January 2016.

From 2016, global standards

Under the new standards implemented from April 2016, international standards were adopted for the exhaust sound and mufflers of motorcycles sold from October 2016 onwards.

These new standards prohibit the new registration of motorcycles that do not meet them. Motorcycles manufactured before the implementation of the new standards can still be newly registered if they are fitted with mufflers that state their performance and sound levels.

The safety standards of the Road Transport Vehicle Act have also been revised in accordance with the new standards. Mufflers other than those certified by JMCA (Japan Motorcycle Accessories Association) or genuine mufflers are now considered not to meet safety standards, and will no longer pass vehicle inspections.

Even if the sound level is within the regulated range, motorcycles equipped with mufflers without a certification mark are subject to police crackdowns for violating safety standards.

What to do if you've been reported?

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There are sensitive people who find the exhaust sound of motorcycles unpleasant, regardless of its volume, so you might get reported even if you're riding normally without revving the engine.

Let's look at how to respond if you receive a complaint from the police or a condominium management association about your motorcycle being noisy.

Apologize honestly.

If you receive a complaint or report and you are at fault, apologizing honestly can be effective, so apologize sincerely depending on the situation.

Also, if you can, inquire about the complainant's circumstances (e.g., they work night shifts and sleep during the day, have small children, etc.) and explain that you will try to be as considerate as possible when riding your motorcycle. This can sometimes resolve the issue.

If you don't know who made the complaint, try to be mindful of where you start your engine, as this can sometimes stop complaints from coming in.

Be mindful of where you start your engine.

By being mindful of where you start your engine and doing so a little distance from residential areas or apartment complex premises, complaints may cease or you may be less likely to be reported.

Especially if you start your engine within an apartment complex, the sound of your motorcycle can be heard by many households, making you more likely to be reported. Therefore, push your motorcycle a little distance from the premises before starting the engine.

Also, when returning home, stop the engine a little distance from the premises or residential area and push the motorcycle back, which will make you less likely to be reported.

Replace the muffler.

If you have a custom muffler, the sound can be surprisingly loud, so try switching back to a genuine muffler.

Also, mufflers manufactured before 2016 tended to be louder because regulations weren't as strict. Therefore, it's effective to replace them with mufflers that have the certification mark from after the regulations were put in place.

However, even genuine mufflers can have reduced sound-dampening effects due to age or become extremely loud due to holes. So, replace any deteriorated mufflers with new ones.

Communicate with neighbors.

Greeting your neighbors when you see them and engaging in communication can sometimes make you less likely to be reported.

If you get to know them, you might be able to tell them when you ride your motorcycle, which could prevent them from reporting you.

If you don't communicate with your neighbors, such as not even greeting them when you meet, they won't have a good impression of you, which can easily lead to a report.

Motorcycle Noise Reporting FAQ

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This section summarizes frequently asked questions and answers regarding motorcycle noise.

If you are troubled by motorcycle noise or have been reported, please refer to this information for future reference.

Is motorcycle noise illegal in the first place?

Whether motorcycle noise is illegal or not depends on whether it exceeds the noise measurement values. If the muffler's sound level is measured and found to exceed the legally prescribed standards, it is illegal and subject to enforcement.

Note that noise measurement values tend to become stricter year by year, and the standard values vary depending on the motorcycle's model year.

Additionally, if a muffler that produces louder noise than the new vehicle condition is installed, or if a non-government certified muffler is installed, it is illegal under the Road Transport Vehicle Act's prohibition on unauthorized modifications and is subject to enforcement.

Is there a way to check if the noise is within an acceptable range?

You can check if motorcycle noise is within an acceptable range by checking the "proximity exhaust noise level," which can be easily measured by an individual using a smartphone app or a sound level meter.

The proximity exhaust noise level has a defined measurement position: it is measured at a distance of 50cm from the muffler tip (exhaust outlet) at a 45-degree angle and a height of 50cm. If it is within the standard value, it is considered acceptable.

The proximity exhaust noise level varies depending on the motorcycle's model year, and the detailed standard values are described in the previous section "History of Motorcycle Noise Regulations."

Smartphone apps and meters for noise measurement

For iPhone, a smartphone app that can measure motorcycle noise, "Sound Meter - Noise Measurement," can be downloaded for free from the App Store.

For non-iPhone devices, "Free Noise Meter" can be downloaded from Google Play, so it is recommended for those who can measure with their smartphone to use one of these.

Additionally, measuring devices such as "Thanko Compact Digital Sound Level Meter RAMA11O08," which can be purchased for around 2,000 to 3,000 yen, can easily measure noise.

App Store: Sound Meter - Noise Measurement

https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/88/id6456264270

Google Play: Noise Meter

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.splendapps.decibel&hl=ja&pli=1

Thanko Compact Digital Sound Level Meter (Amazon)

www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B007IDREAQ

Are there any tips to avoid trouble when reporting?

Even if you report a noisy motorcycle to the police, the reporter's information will not be revealed, so call 110 as appropriate.

When reporting, if you promptly provide the "date and time," "location where the motorcycle is making noise," and "make and color of the motorcycle," police officers will rush to the scene. However, if the motorcycle is not there when they arrive, the police cannot take enforcement action.

Are there alternative solutions other than reporting?

In addition to reporting to the police, you can also consult with the police or your local government's environmental consultation service about motorcycle noise.

You can consult with the police by calling "#9110." If residents of an apartment building or other multi-unit dwelling are causing noise, it is effective to have the management company (or management association) handle the situation.

Summary

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If you're bothered by motorcycle noise, report it to the police or consult with your local government's office.

Your information as a reporter will not be disclosed, so you can report with confidence. Also, if you ride a motorcycle, you need to be considerate of your neighbors to avoid being reported yourself.

If you are reported, consider changing your custom muffler back to a genuine one, or avoid starting your engine near residential homes, to prevent the situation from escalating into a major problem.