Archived Topic
Topic ID 2921
08/07/2007 by shunt
The holy motorcycle of god?
Recently a distant neighbour knocked on the door to complain about the noise of me putting my bike away. Now, if this had been an immediate neighbour, I'd not find this strange, though perhaps a little picky since it doesn't occur late at night. To explain, my bike is not quiet and emits low frequency pulses, being of large capacity and only two cylinders, but is not louder than, say, a bus or lorry passing at 30mph once you take the tyre noise of the latter into account. It takes between 45 seconds and two minutes to manouver the machine into it's secure parking space and the engine is at low revs throughout the operation. Being of some 800lbs in weight, there is not the option of not running the engine, but I am careful not to run it for a second longer than necessary.
Anyway, this set me thinking (oh good grief, I hear you all say) as I was woken at nine this Sunday morning by the usual and lengthy clanging of church bells. This was compounded by a repeat performance at four o'clock this afternoon, rendering conversation in my garden difficult, despite the church being some distance away. We are treated to practice every Tuesday evening too. There have been several threads on HOL in the past complaining about various music/party events, but is it the type of noise or the level which leads complaint? The local church is certainly louder and more persistent than any other noise maker in the area.
Can one gain exemption from noise pollution laws by claiming to be making noise on behalf of a etherial and faith based entity? Why is it that even I, being non-religious, don't feel the need to complain when I know that if I played Hip/Hop in the street at 9am every Sunday at the same volume, I'd quickly meet my local environmental health officer?
In Hertford, there are many who live in close proximity to a church. Would those of you who do be more likely to complain about a one-off party, vehicle, business or private individuals activities, than the much louder, more frequent bells and if so, why?
What bugs you in Hertford's noisy mix? Does the time of day or day of the week make a difference and if so, should it, considering many people work shifts, work from home, or have sleeping children during daylight hours?
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 42517
08/07/2007 by James007
Shunt - whilst Sunday is, and should be, a day of rest, go and ride your motorbike. Don't let neighbours knock you down. The problem I have outside my home is the unreasonable engine revving of the occupants showing, 'my throttle is bigger than yours' type of thing. You go and rev your engine Shunt, and let the bells ring. Bells are harmony after all.
Reply ID 42518
08/07/2007 by shunt
quote:
Originally posted by James007
Shunt - whilst Sunday is, and should be, a day of rest, go and ride your motorbike. Don't let neighbours knock you down. The problem I have outside my home is the unreasonable engine revving of the occupants showing, 'my throttle is bigger than yours' type of thing. You go and rev your engine Shunt, and let the bells ring. Bells are harmony after all.
That would be my point of view too, but I do have an moral obligation to not be a nuisance to my fellows, so adjustments within reason are always made. The revving thing that you describe is not giving due consideration, bordering on aggressive. That would annoy me too!
Reply ID 42524
08/07/2007 by Tigger
Shunt, I think they are being a tad petty, especially if it is not a problem to your immediate neighbours. I agree with the the Church bell racket aswell. Lived just off Railway Street, the Catholic Church in St. John's Street certainly knew how to ring their bells (play their tape) Used it as as alarm clock in the end. Dependant on wind I could also hear All Saints and St. Andrew's. Now, the other side of the river I can still hear the Catholic Church! People adjust to noise, when I first left home and moved to my first property I found the silence difficult to adapt to, for a whole couple of days, then didn't notice anymore. Enjoy your Bike, they are probably jealous. Happy riding and parking [:D]
Reply ID 42527
08/07/2007 by shunt
quote:
Originally posted by Tigger
Shunt, I think they are being a tad petty, especially if it is not a problem to your immediate neighbours. I agree with the the Church bell racket aswell. Lived just off Railway Street, the Catholic Church in St. John's Street certainly knew how to ring their bells (play their tape) Used it as as alarm clock in the end. Dependant on wind I could also hear All Saints and St. Andrew's. Now, the other side of the river I can still hear the Catholic Church! People adjust to noise, when I first left home and moved to my first property I found the silence difficult to adapt to, for a whole couple of days, then didn't notice anymore. Enjoy your Bike, they are probably jealous. Happy riding and parking [:D]
Oh I don't object to the bells, it was just an example and if a neighbour is annoyed by my activities, I'd rather they politely mentioned it than seethed in angry resentment. I was just wondering what makes one noise more than a nuisance than another for others. It doesn't seem to be connected to loudness or duration, but type. I actually have a preference for a busy neighbourhood over rural peace.
Reply ID 42528
08/07/2007 by Tigger
I didn't object to the bells - it is the difference of what people do find acceptable. I do actually enjoy the sounds and you do get used to them, even the planes.
Reply ID 42529
09/07/2007 by JohnSmith
Simple solution. Ban motorbikes [:)]
Seriously, can't see what the problem is. As you say, it's not as if you sit on the thing outside your house revving it for half an hour.
One of my neighbours has a diesel van that he/she starts at some unholy hour in the morning and leaves the thing idling for ages. Problem is that they do it at that point where I can hear it but I'm too tired to fully wake up and see who it is.
Reply ID 42537
09/07/2007 by Marilyn
I suspect that there was more too it probably had a bad day you you got the brunt of it.
The bells yesterday afternoon were for a wedding at 3.30!
Reply ID 42538
09/07/2007 by shunt
quote:
Originally posted by JohnSmith
Simple solution. Ban motorbikes [:)]
Seriously, can't see what the problem is. As you say, it's not as if you sit on the thing outside your house revving it for half an hour.
One of my neighbours has a diesel van that he/she starts at some unholy hour in the morning and leaves the thing idling for ages. Problem is that they do it at that point where I can hear it but I'm too tired to fully wake up and see who it is.
I understand that one. When Bengeo Stores was a paper shop, the papers used to turn up in a diesel van in the wee small hours and it would then chug and clatter outside my bedroom window while the papers were unloaded. That's just the type of thing I was after, little noises which are too small to complain about, but drive you nuts.
Reply ID 42539
09/07/2007 by Marilyn
quote:
Originally posted by shunt
quote:
Originally posted by JohnSmith
Simple solution. Ban motorbikes [:)]
Seriously, can't see what the problem is. As you say, it's not as if you sit on the thing outside your house revving it for half an hour.
One of my neighbours has a diesel van that he/she starts at some unholy hour in the morning and leaves the thing idling for ages. Problem is that they do it at that point where I can hear it but I'm too tired to fully wake up and see who it is.
I understand that one. When Bengeo Stores was a paper shop, the papers used to turn up in a diesel van in the wee small hours and it would then chug and clatter outside my bedroom window while the papers were unloaded. That's just the type of thing I was after, little noises which are too small to complain about, but drive you nuts.
They still do at the Co-Op etc I often see them when I am on my early morning buying runs, wonder if your near neighbour is nearer the Co-Op ??
Reply ID 42540
09/07/2007 by Steve
My neighbour has a Ducati. It's never bothered me (nor the church bells).
Reply ID 42541
09/07/2007 by Deveraux
Holy Motor Cycle of God?
I guess that would be "The roar of Moses Triumph!" [:D]
Reply ID 42543
09/07/2007 by sloopjohnb
More like 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'. Now £5.98 on Amazon.[8D]
Reply ID 42548
09/07/2007 by Rooster
Have I missed something?
This is the Bars and Pubs recommendations thread, and even Steve has responded to the initial post.
Reply ID 42551
09/07/2007 by Steve
oops [:I]
Reply ID 42552
09/07/2007 by shunt
quote:
Originally posted by Steve
oops [:I]
Oops, indeed.[:I][:o)] Sorry folks. Can you move it Steve?
Reply ID 42562
09/07/2007 by shaun
Do not have a problem with moterbike's, the really annoying ones are the 50cc mopeds that you can hear coming from about 1/2 a mile away!
Reply ID 42565
09/07/2007 by shunt
quote:
Originally posted by shaun
Do not have a problem with moterbike's, the really annoying ones are the 50cc mopeds that you can hear coming from about 1/2 a mile away!
It may be that it just takes them so very long to cover that half mile and pass out of earshot.[:D]
Reply ID 42577
09/07/2007 by Mr P
Sounds like your neighbours are having a problem accepting that they have neighbours, that they probably make noise too but don't realise it and are not accepting in the fact that they live in a town and as such have to be a little forgiving of others.
We tolerate most noises - as we not only have neighbours but are also in a flat - up until 11pm on weeknights and midnight on weekends - and we monitor our noise levels accordingly. Having lived through the stress of wondering if we'd get a dose of drunken elvis karaoke at 2.30am on any given night, the sound of a motorbike being put away is small banananananas.
18 replies