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Written Question
Motorcycles: Noise
Monday 22nd May 2023

Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2020 to Question 105392 on Motorcycles: Noise, whether his Department plans to publish its research into whether noise enforcement can be made more effective using acoustic camera technology; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The results of the Department’s initial research into the use of a prototype noise camera for the detection of excessively noisy vehicles was published in August 2021. This research showed that the technology demonstrated some potential but required further development to be suitable for enforcement.

Further trials were commissioned in 2022, which included the assessment of the latest noise camera technology on a test track and at the roadside. Roadside trials were undertaken at four sites between October 2022 and February 2023. The Department is currently reviewing the outcomes of the trial before considering any next steps and will publish the final research report in due course.


Written Question
Motor Vehicles: Carbon Emissions
Tuesday 1st November 2022

Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to encourage a modal shift from single occupancy cars to zero-emission L-Category vehicles such as mopeds and motorcycles.

Answered by Jesse Norman

As the Government set out in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, we increasingly expect people to travel in zero-emission vehicles. The transition to electric vehicles, including L-Category ones like mopeds and motorcycles, can reduce carbon emissions, fuel demand, congestion, and air and noise pollution.

The Department is preparing the Government’s consultation response on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-Category vehicles, and will publish it in due course. In the meantime, the Department for Transport is providing £350,000 to help grow the supply chain for zero-emission L-Category vehicles.


Written Question
Motor Vehicles: Noise
Wednesday 28th September 2022

Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to tackle motorists who add aftermarket mufflers to their exhaust systems in order to dramatically increase the noise produced by their vehicles.

Answered by Katherine Fletcher

The Government takes the impact of traffic noise on communities seriously . Manufacturers of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and mopeds, are required to demonstrate compliance with strict noise limits before placing products on the market.

The police have powers to act if they suspect an exhaust has been modified to increase noise above these limits The Department is engaging with the police on the role of 'noise camera' technology in more targeted, efficient and effective enforcement


Written Question
Motorcycles: Noise
Wednesday 28th September 2022

Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with (a) manufacturers and (b) other stakeholders to ensure that all motorcycles and mopeds do not exceed limits for vehicle volume.

Answered by Katherine Fletcher

The Government takes the impact of traffic noise on communities seriously . Manufacturers of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and mopeds, are required to demonstrate compliance with strict noise limits before placing products on the market.

The police have powers to act if they suspect an exhaust has been modified to increase noise above these limits The Department is engaging with the police on the role of 'noise camera' technology in more targeted, efficient and effective enforcement


Written Question
Motorcycles: Fossil Fuels
Monday 18th October 2021

Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the deadline for ending the sale of motorcycles that operate on fossil fuels.

Answered by Trudy Harrison

The Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP) was published on 14 July 2021 and sets out the Government’s commitments and the actions needed to decarbonise the entire transport system in the UK.

Zero emission powered light vehicles are a clean and efficient way of getting around and can reduce congestion, air, and noise pollution from transport. While cars and vans outnumber motorcycles on UK roads, motorcycles are an important and sizeable vehicle population, with 1.4 million licensed in 2020 and we do not want to see them remaining fossil fuelled as the rest of the vehicle fleet cleans up.

In the TDP, the Department commits to consulting this year on a phase out date of 2035, or earlier if a faster transition appears feasible, for the sale of new nonzero emission powered two and three wheelers (and other L category vehicles).


Written Question
Motorcycles: Noise
Tuesday 21st September 2021

Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 27 October 2020 to Question 105392 on Motorcycles: Noise, what further research the Government has undertaken on the effectiveness of acoustic cameras on reducing levels of noise pollution.

Answered by Trudy Harrison

On 2nd August, the Department published the results of research into enforcement against excessive noise pollution from vehicles using acoustic cameras. This research has shown that the technology has the potential to identify excessively noisy vehicles, but that there are still difficulties in accurately measuring noise from individual vehicles in busier traffic conditions. Further research is being commissioned to address these challenges, which will include further roadside trials of selected technology.

The Department has not held formal discussions with police forces on the enforcement of vehicle noise, but commissioned research in 2018 to better understand existing enforcement strategies and identify ways of enabling more effective approaches using alternative technologies. This research included a survey of police forces in England and Wales, including the Metropolitan Police. A report of this research was published on 8th June 2019.


Written Question
Motorcycles: Exhaust Emissions
Wednesday 30th June 2021

Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how any post-manufacture alteration to a motor cycle exhaust system is monitored to ensure that any changes conform with legislation.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

New motorcycles are required to meet strict noise limits in a range of driving conditions before being placed on the market. The current limit within the approval test is between 73 and 77 decibels (dBA) depending on the power to weight ratio of the machine and is not specific to types of roads.

Once on the road, regulations require that exhausts and silencers shall not be altered to increase noise above the level the motorcycle was originally approved to. The police also have powers to take action if they believe excessive vehicle noise could have been avoided through reasonable driver care.

The annual vehicle MOT test requires an inspection of the state of repair of the exhaust and the tester uses their experience to make a subjective assessment of the noise levels. A vehicle should fail the MOT if the silencer has been altered to increase noise above the level expected from a standard system.


Written Question
Motorcycles: Exhaust Emissions
Wednesday 30th June 2021

Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what motorcycle exhaust volume levels are permitted under current legislation; and whether the legislation only relates to tests undertaken as part of type conformity permissions.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

New motorcycles are required to meet strict noise limits in a range of driving conditions before being placed on the market. The current limit within the approval test is between 73 and 77 decibels (dBA) depending on the power to weight ratio of the machine and is not specific to types of roads.

Once on the road, regulations require that exhausts and silencers shall not be altered to increase noise above the level the motorcycle was originally approved to. The police also have powers to take action if they believe excessive vehicle noise could have been avoided through reasonable driver care.

The annual vehicle MOT test requires an inspection of the state of repair of the exhaust and the tester uses their experience to make a subjective assessment of the noise levels. A vehicle should fail the MOT if the silencer has been altered to increase noise above the level expected from a standard system.


Written Question
Motorcycles: Exhaust Emissions
Wednesday 30th June 2021

Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what restrictions exist, if any, on the volume levels of motorcycle exhausts when travelling (1) on dual carriageways, and (2) on roads with a lower speed restriction.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

New motorcycles are required to meet strict noise limits in a range of driving conditions before being placed on the market. The current limit within the approval test is between 73 and 77 decibels (dBA) depending on the power to weight ratio of the machine and is not specific to types of roads.

Once on the road, regulations require that exhausts and silencers shall not be altered to increase noise above the level the motorcycle was originally approved to. The police also have powers to take action if they believe excessive vehicle noise could have been avoided through reasonable driver care.

The annual vehicle MOT test requires an inspection of the state of repair of the exhaust and the tester uses their experience to make a subjective assessment of the noise levels. A vehicle should fail the MOT if the silencer has been altered to increase noise above the level expected from a standard system.


Written Question
Motorcycles: Noise
Tuesday 27th October 2020

Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to bring forward legislative proposals on tackling unlawful levels of noise from motorbikes.

Answered by Rachel Maclean

The Government takes the impact of traffic noise on health, wellbeing and the natural environment seriously. Vehicles are required to meet strict noise limits before being placed on the market and police already have powers to act if they suspect an exhaust has been altered to increase noise.

The Department is continuing to research whether noise enforcement can be made more effective using acoustic camera technology. A review of the current vehicle noise legislation may need to be considered if acoustic camera systems prove to be a reliable and efficient enforcement method.