In regards to Mark Gaboury's Letter to the Editor (July 7 – 'Muffling the mufflers') my guess is that you don't ride a motorcycle.
I do and I believe in the saying, 'Loud pipes save lives.' Just as a confirmation to that saying I will relate a little story.
As I drove through downtown recently in my vehicle, radio on, not too loud, checking my mirrors as I drove, I saw no motorcycle but all of a sudden I heard one.
Hearing him made me do more mirror and shoulder checking and he came into view – out of my blind spot. An earlier lane change and he would have been wiped out.
Both my husband and I have taken the motorcycle course and you are taught to ride as if you are invisible.
People do not see you on a motorcycle. Many motorcycles are in accidents from drivers turning left in front of them. "I just didn't see him" is a common statement. Honking your horn is a laughable defence. You would be on it constantly.
Mark, you should ride for a day and see how bad the drivers are regarding motorcycles. You may become more tolerant of loud pipes.
My feelings are, "If you can't see me I hope you can hear me." Loud pipes do save lives.
Susan Barker
Red Deer