Police intensify crackdown on noisy bikes, stunt riders in Valley

Kathmandu, Aug. 28: Police in the Kathmandu Valley have launched a special campaign to curb the growing nuisance of modified motorcycles producing deafening noise and performing dangerous stunts, particularly during nocturnal hours.

Although the “No Horn” policy has been in place across the Valley since April 14, 2017, authorities say loud motorcycle exhausts and reckless riding have continued to disturb residents, especially late at night. Complaints of sleepless nights and rising public anxiety prompted police to intensify monitoring in inner city roads, lanes, and key intersections of municipalities.

“Riders speeding through market areas with modified exhausts, causing noise pollution and uploading stunt videos on social media, are now being brought under control and penalised,” said the Chief of Kathmandu Valley Police and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nabaraj Adhikari on Wednesday.

Almost every day, dozens of motorcycles with modified structures are impounded in the Valley. According to police, Royal Enfield “Bullet” and Crossfire bikes are among the most frequently modified, with riders replacing company-installed silencers with louder pipes. Officers have also seized altered handlebars, stickers, lights, seats, and mirrors used to enhance noise or aid stunt performance. Areas such as Shantinagar, Chandol, Bishalnagar, Budhanilkantha, Kapan, Nagarjun, Swoyambhu, as well as Bhainsepati and Imadol in Lalitpur, have recently witnessed a spike in such disturbances, forcing authorities to step up surveillance between 9:00 pm and 2:00 am.

Police say that between mid-July and mid-August alone, 61 modified motorcycles were penalised, generating Rs. 610,000 in fines. Each seized vehicle is referred to the Transport Management Office, where owners are fined Rs. 10,000 and required to restore the motorcycle to its original condition before release.

Although, there is a policy of ‘No Horn’ in the Valley, in recent times, the traffic police had become somewhat lax, leading to increased carelessness among drivers. Complaints have started to arise about the impact of indiscriminate honking on the health of pedestrians, especially children, the elderly and the sick. In response, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office has begun to enforce stricter implementation of the ‘No Horn’ policy, according to SSP Adhikari.

“Recently, there have been complaints that vehicles have started honking again in areas without traffic police or taking advantage of no traffic police, and this has begun to impact public health. Therefore, we are enforcing stricter compliance with the 'No Horn' policy,” said SSP Adhikari.

He said that they are taking action against vehicles that honk unnecessarily in various locations. The direct evidence of this can be seen in the data on vehicles that have faced penalties.

In less than the first two months of the current fiscal year, more than 237 motorcycles have already faced penalties just for modifying their bikes and loud honking. 

In the previous fiscal year (2024/25), a total of 10,123 vehicles were penalized for unnecessary honking Likewise, in the past two months of the current fiscal year from July to last week of August, the Valley Traffic Police Office has already taken action against 734 two-wheelers.

Generally, the average hearing capacity of a person is up to 26 decibels. However, sounds up to 60 decibels are considered acceptable for listening. Sounds at 70 decibels can be harmful to health.

Superintendent of Police and Spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, Dipak Giri warned that such practices not only cause severe noise pollution but also endanger lives through high-speed riding and reckless stunts designed for social media. 

He urged the parents to monitor their children’s activities and prevent them from engaging in such risky behaviour.

“We are increasing vigilance, but families must also take responsibility. Many offenders are youths aged 18 to 30. Without awareness at home, enforcement alone cannot solve this problem,” SP Giri said.

Authorities are also monitoring certain garages suspected of illegally modifying motorcycles. 

Police have confirmed that at least three individuals were detained for uploading stunt videos and were released after facing action.