WYOMING BIKERS FEND OFF NOISE ORDINANCE-- A proposed noise ordinance is on the "back burner" after scores of motorcyclists flooded the Casper City Council chambers. The council voted unanimously and to a raucous applause to table the proposed change to a noise ordinance, which means it will not be discussed again unless a council member brings it back.

The proposed change read: "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."

One biker after another spoke before the council to testify about how "loud pipes save lives." Loud exhaust keeps drivers aware of bikers and prevent accidents, said Jim Siri, a member of Wyoming Central A.B.A.T.E., a motorcycle advocacy group. “Many things distract drivers, and if they aren't paying attention they won't always see motorcyclists, but they may still hear them,” he told the Jackson Hole Star-Tribune.

Abuse of a motorcycle on city streets is unacceptable, but motorcyclists also don't want to be unfairly targeted, said Russ Reddick, vice-president of Wyoming State A.B.A.T.E. and co-director of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) in region three. He told the newspaper that he wants to educate riders on how to ride respectfully and also educate drivers on how to be more aware of motorcyclists.

Motorcyclists and the council plan to work together to help solve "irresponsible riding" through residential neighborhoods, both groups agreed.