ST. PAUL -- For people who survive winter's claustrophobia, there is nothing better than sliding open a window and letting in spring's fresh, warm breezes. That is, unless a loud motorcycle goes by.
More Minnesotans are riding motorcycles than ever before. The Department of Public Safety reports that the number of riders in Minnesota jumped 75 percent in the past 10 years, which follows a national trend.
And with more motorcycles comes more noise.
To some, the noise is an auditory insult; to motorcyclists such as Tom Gallagher, the noise alerts distracted motorists that he's near.
"People, they don't see motorcycles because we're smaller," he said. "They look in the mirror and they're looking for that giant SUV, and they don't see it so they just move over and, 'Whoa, wait a minute, I'm over here!' The next thing you know I'm doing an evasive maneuver to save my life," Gallagher said.
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The problem isn't the pipes; it's the riders. Motorcycles don't come from the factory with loud pipes; riders add them later. Enthusiasts like them because they provide faster acceleration -- and increased noise. Under the law, every vehicle is supposed to have a muffler. The so-called straight pipes have none.
Motorcyclist Ruth Busman's black Harley is loaded with chrome and aftermarket pipes. Like Gallagher, she said the loud noise has kept her safe. Unlike Gallagher, she doesn't wear a helmet. She said it blocks her peripheral vision. She said motorcyclists are highly individualistic souls and modifying their bikes to reflect their personalities is key to the riding experience
"There's a certain sound and a certain look that to me is very important. This motorcycle is unique and you make it yours by adding and switching out aftermarket products to make it truly your own," Busman said.
Pat Hahn of the state of Minnesota's Motorcycle Safety Center said he understands individual expression. But he said the idea that loud pipes save lives is a myth. Hahn, who writes books and articles on motorcycle safety, said there's a problem with the safety theory because the pipes direct the sound backwards.
"Seventy-seven percent of all motorcycle accident hazards come from the 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock direction, from in front of the motorcycle rider. And people that are 500 feet in front of you that may turn in front of you that will violate your right of way -- they can't hear it because it's pointed the other way," Hahn said.
Hahn said there are better ways for riders to be seen: wea ring bright-colored clothes and helmets plus riding brightly colored bikes. He said a study found wearing bright colors lowered the chance of a motorcycle-vehicle crash by 37 percent.
There is no surefire way to gauge whether there is more motorcycle noise over the past decade. The State Patrol didn't have numbers on how often troopers cite motorcyclists for noise; city police departments in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth did not have them readily available.
Sgt. Curt Sandell, who is in charge of the St. Paul traffic enforcement unit, is supervising a training course for motorcycle cops who practice breaking maneuvers. Sandell said any motorcyclist can make loud pipes sound no louder than a car; and can make even stock pipes sound loud. He said it's all in the right wrist and how they throttle.
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Gallagher agrees there are motorcyclists who make noise just to show off. But he said there are many others who use it solely for safety.
"I understand that these loud noises are disturbing and annoying to people, including to me, but I think that when it comes to motorcycles, there's a legitimate reason for it because they do in certain circumstances provide a significant safety advantage, which could save my life or the life of someone you love, and therefore, I think it's worth it," Gallagher said.
