Tonight is your night to speak on a possible new noise ordinance in Casper.

The Casper City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed change in a noise ordinance that reads:

"No person shall operate any motor vehicle in the city in such a manner that the public's attention is drawn to the noise created by the motor vehicle."

The ordinance gives an exemption to noise created by the government in the "performance of its official duty."

A change in Casper's existing ordinance, which requires a decibel reading to decide if someone is illegal, was spurred by complaints to the city council about loud motorcycles.

After the council members debated a solution in several meetings, they decided to possibly change the ordinance to mirror one in Portland, Maine.

Casper's current ordinance may be enough to help control the noise if its enforced properly, said Russ Reddick, a local motorcyclist and representative of the National Association of Motorcyclists. Reddick noted that revving engines is already prohibited.

Reddick hopes the council will work with the motorcyclists in Casper to educate young cyclists on how to ride respectively. He also wants people to understand that some noise is necessary.

"We don't condone abuse of a motorcycle, but we need to be loud and have a right to be heard," he said. "It's a safety issue for us."

Reddick mentioned programs such as Pipe Down in Town, and campaigns to educate about safe riding and an increase in driver education.

"We want to go there and present them with options," Reddick said about today's council meeting. "We want to tell them that 'Look, we know there is a problem with excessive motorcycle noise, and we want to be part of the solution.'"

Casper Mayor Paul Bertoglio said this is exactly the kind of response he was hoping for.

"The real solution needs to come from the biking community itself," he said. "And to have a group step forward and say they will champion the cause is tremendous, it's wonderful."

Bertoglio said the ordinance won't solve everyone's problems, and the city will never have 100 percent compliance with a noise ordinance, but this is "a great start."

He wanted the ordinance change to start a discussion and bring awareness to the issue.

The public needs to create the solution, he said, government can't fix it completely.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com

News tracker

Last we knew: The Casper City Council discussed a change in the noise ordinance that would prohibit people operating a motor vehicle in a manner than draws public attention.

The latest: The council plans to hold a public hearing on the ordinance change today.

What's next: If the ordinance passes in the public hearing, it will require two more approvals before becoming law.

To attend

The Casper City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. today in City Hall, 200 N. David St.

Last we knew: The Casper City Council discussed a change in the noise ordinance that would prohibit people operating a motor vehicle in a manner than draws public attention.

The latest: The council plans to hold a public hearing on the ordinance change today.

What's next: If the ordinance passes in the public hearing, it will require two more approvals before becoming law.]]->

The Casper City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. today in City Hall, 200 N. David St.]]->