Small bikes are way worse. These 50cc two stroke engines, often illegally modified with loud exhaust. Not only they are as loud if not louder than a big motorbike but they are so slow they linger around for a while, often it populated area like cities.
They are popular in France because you only need to be 14 to ride one (vs 18 for cars) and you don't need a license.
That's true that there are big as well as small bikes with an horrendous sound, they are equally harmful.
I agree that they should very quickly belong to history (or museums). I wish that this new Yamaha concept will accelerate bikes electrification.
A difference is that some of them are not trying to be loud on purpose while others are. That's what triggers me. Their violence.
If smoking is not allowed I don't understand why this is, or why rules are not enforced. Changing homes is much harder than changing sidewalks.
At least there's hope. Seeing silent electric bikes go by makes me smile.