Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Ride without a helmet - become an organ donor - Hmm

Belt Drive 1 Brain Bucket Magazine, Community, Pennsylvania’s motorcycle helmet law, Rider Safety, Safe Driving 5:56 AM

Although somewhat twisted at first glance (repugnant actually), the comment made by Mary Margaret Towey of Lancaster, PA on June 18th/08 could have some merit behind it. 
 
I was taking some time to catch up on some reading this morning after sifting through news feeds. I had scanned through a full 12 pages of motorcycle death and accident news and was depressed. 
 
I had tagged a few articles to be read and decided I needed to do some reading to take my mind off of the depressing statistics that are now cropping up over motorcycle accidents. 
 
The following article in in Brain Bucket Magazine was one of them.... 
 
 
"I also know that emergency-room personnel everywhere refer to motorcycles as "donorcycles" and not humorously. Well, with this helmet-optional law in place, why don't we make that grim nickname official? By this I mean, let's make it a law that every cyclist who rides helmet-less must have a new license (which the state will gladly provide for free) that identifies him or her as an organ donor." 
To read the whole article: <a href="http://www.brainbucketmag.com/News/article/sid=3902.html">http://www.brainbucketmag.com/News/article/sid=3902.html</a> 
 
Her theory - If you want the right to ride without a helmet, you must become an organ donor. 
 
She was responding to a medical article published June 12/08.: 
 
"To evaluate the 2003 repeal of Pennsylvania’s motorcycle helmet law, we assessed changes in helmet use and compared motorcycle-related head injuries with non head injuries from 2001–2002 to 2004–2005. Helmet use among riders in crashes decreased from 82% to 58%. Head injury deaths increased 66%; non head injury deaths increased 25%. Motorcycle-related head injury hospitalizations increased 78% compared with 28% for non head injury hospitalizations. Helmet law repeals jeopardize motorcycle riders. Until repeals are reversed, states need voluntary strategies to increase helmet use." 
 
Read the whole article here: <a href="http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/AJPH.2007.123299v1">http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/AJPH.2007.123299v1</a> 
 
I know how unpopular the helmet laws are. Helmets are uncomfortable, they take away from the feeling of being free. However, we know from many reports that in certain instances that helmets do save lives and in many cases reduce head trauma. 
 
Statistics vary state by state in the US, but consistently it appears that 4o percent or more of deaths involving motorcyclists come from brain trauma. 
 
So, here you have it. 
 
Motorcycle deaths are often preventable. And whether we like it or not, many of our community members who ride will or have died this year. 
 
All freedoms come with responsibility. 
 
If I as a smoker want the right and freedom to smoke, I must do so in such a way that it does not infringe upon your right as a non smoker to have cleaner air to breathe. 
 
If I as a motorcycle rider want the right and freedom to have loud pipes on my bike I must use them in such a way as to not infringe on the rights and freedoms of those who sleep (shift workers and small children), or are ill or infirm to have relative quiet. (Hospitals, seniors homes and residential areas) 
 
The Charter here in Canada and the Bill of Rights in the US are both written in such a way as to express exactly what I say above. 
 
Yes you have freedom to choose but know that your choice has consequences and responsibilities. Your rights and freedoms stop where the freedom of others begins. 
We are all supposed to be equal - remember. 
 
When you choose to exercise your right to ride without a helmet you are knowingly putting yourself at greater risk and you have chosen to accept that risk. That's cool in my way of thinking.... 
 
So my question is this: 
 
If you are willing to take the increased risk to experience the exhilaration and freedom of riding without a helmet, what would be wrong with signing a donor card? 
 
Some have expressed pretty strong gut level reactions - they have called this gal all sorts on names and slammed her pretty hard, but think of this idea......seriously. 
 
 
The main objection I see to Mary's idea is the license idea. Instead of a drivers licence that identifies you as a donor and another reason for cops to pull riders over, how about a sticker on your license plate that identifies you as an organ donor? 
 
 
Bikers have always been known as a community that give back, help out. 
 
Maybe we need to look at this idea as a compromise - as something in keeping with our own culture....you keep giving even after you are gone....is that such a bad thing? 
 
Living in a province where I am told I have to have a helmet to ride, well yah know, this almost sounds to me like a good compromise.... 
 
I have my feelings on this subject - what are yours? I'd love to know. 
 
Please - no matter where you ride, with or without a helmet, you are my brother or sister of the family Wind and I want you around tomorrow - so stay safe, ride smart.... 
 
Belt Drive Betty

Ride without a helmet - become an organ donor - Hmm

Belt Drive 1 Brain Bucket Magazine, Community, Pennsylvania’s motorcycle helmet law, Rider Safety, Safe Driving 5:56 AM

Although somewhat twisted at first glance (repugnant actually), the comment made by Mary Margaret Towey of Lancaster, PA on June 18th/08 could have some merit behind it. I was taking some time to catch up on some reading this morning after sifting th… Read more »

29Aug2008

Rider error is most to blame for many fatal accidents....

Belt Drive 2 In the News, Motorcycle Community, riding community 5:26 AM

I have been sifting through the news feeds this morning in my daily attempt to find news on motorcycling in Canada in the main stream media and I came across a number of articles out of the US that caught my interest. "Wednesday, the Washington State Patrol reported that 80 percent of all motorcycle fatalities in the state were the result of rider error, the most common causes being excessive speed and lane errors, usually a rider unable to negotiate a curve safely." 
 
Link to the original article: <a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/376827_motorcycles01.html?source=mypi">http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/376827_motorcycles01.html?source=mypi</a> 
At Why Bike dot Com: <a href="http://www.whybike.com/motorcycle_search.php?find=motorcycle+accidents&field=descr&ser=y&search=Search">http://www.whybike.com/motorcycle_search.php?find=motorcycle+accidents&field=descr&ser=y&search=Search</a> 
 
Consumer Reports: <a href="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/2008/08/motorcycles.html">http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/2008/08/motorcycles.html</a> 
Another article on Motorcycle accidents - the Hurt Report from 1981: <a href="http://www.clarity.net/~adam/hurt-report.html">http://www.clarity.net/~adam/hurt-report.html</a> - this article is used widely as statistical information even though it is from 1981 
The common thread in all of the above articles? Rider error, inadequate training, fatigue and inexperience seem to be the causation of many motorcycle accidents. 
Many older riders who are getting on motorcycles these days got their bike license when they were a kid, took a 20 year break from motorcycles due to kids and responsibilities and are now riding again. The problem is that most of them have not gone to a motorcycle safety course. 
 
If you are one of those riders, taking a refresher course just might prevent you from being a statistic. 
 
Education of riders is every bit as important as educating cagers.... 
I read about so many deaths and severe injuries suffered by motorcyclists every day in my quest to find the news that it makes my heart heavy - so many of the accidents I read about are preventable. 
 
So how can you help yourself out there? Get some training. I for one plan on taking an advanced rider's course in the spring. 
 
Becoming involved in an organization like AIM - Can - the Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists might be a good idea too. To find out more about AIM and what they do please visit: <a href="http://www.aimcan.com/">http://www.aimcan.com/</a> 
 
PLEASE - Have fun, but ride safe and be smart....I want yah around for a while and I am sure there are others in your life who feel the same way. 
 
 
Belt Drive Betty

Rider error is most to blame for many fatal accidents....

Belt Drive 2 In the News, Motorcycle Community, riding community 5:26 AM

I have been sifting through the news feeds this morning in my daily attempt to find news on motorcycling in Canada in the main stream media and I came across a number of articles out of the US that caught my interest."Wednesday, the Washington State … Read more »

28Aug2008

Rights and freedoms, responsibility and education

Belt Drive 0 Community, Law & Politics, Motorcycle Community, Rider Safety 8:18 AM

I have been watching with much interest the answers to our latest polls over on www.beltdrivebetty.com 
 
The helmet law poll is pretty evenly matched - a 50 50 split on supporting helmet laws. 
 
The one that has me scratching my head is the Loud Pipes Save Lives but do they come with responsibility. 
 
I am not sure why it should surprise me that there are those who believe that being noisy is a right that they are entitled to. 
 
Having respect for the elderly, the sick and those who work shift work to me should just come naturally, but I see that for some it does not. 
 
The unfortunate consequence of that kind of thinking is that the rest of us - the 96%of us who think Loud Pipes come with responsibility are the ones who get penalized when those who do not understand the concept of respect exercise what they feel is their right. 
 
A previous poll we did asked what we do when we see a fellow rider doing something that brings disrespect on our community - 96% said - NOTHING - Shake my head - think what a jerk - but do NOTHING. 
 
I know that trying to educate some people could mean risking one's life - some people are hot heads and do not take guidance well. I also know that some how we need to get the message out there that being a show off is not only unnecessary but detrimental to the riding way of life. 
 
Right now a number of communities in the USA are attempting to shut motorcycle rallies down citing noise as their number one pet peeve. 
Yes there other reasons but noise is a huge factor. 
 
So how do we educate the young, the thoughtless and the obnoxious? 
How do we protect our way of life? 
 
It's an age old question that I do not have the answer for, but I think as a community we need to find one - because with the explosion of growth in our community - with the increase in fatalities - we are going to see more and more legislation clamping down us. 
 
Rider's have always policed themselves, but if we don't do something soon that ability might become greatly diminished as the police services enforce what our government deems best.... 
 
 
Please stay safe out there. 
 
Belt Drive Betty

Rights and freedoms, responsibility and education

Belt Drive 0 Community, Law & Politics, Motorcycle Community, Rider Safety 8:18 AM

I have been watching with much interest the answers to our latest polls over on www.beltdrivebetty.com The helmet law poll is pretty evenly matched - a 50 50 split on supporting helmet laws. The one that has me scratching my head is the Loud Pipes Sa… Read more »

27Aug2008

Home again after another very successful weekend!

Belt Drive 0 Community, Whitecourt Toy Run 12:41 PM

I had a wonderful time in Whitecourt for the 5th Annual Whitecourt Toy Run. 
 
I want to thank Maxine, Randy and all of the wonderful volunteers for making their event so great. 
 
The ride home was pleasantly unremarkable! 
Got home in one piece and it's all good - except the highway coming into Grande Prairie is disgusting - the frost heaves just about kill yah! From Bezanson in it sucks! 
 
Hope you have a great day and if you are riding, stay safe, be smart 
 
Belt Drive Betty

Home again after another very successful weekend!

Belt Drive 0 Community, Whitecourt Toy Run 12:41 PM

I had a wonderful time in Whitecourt for the 5th Annual Whitecourt Toy Run. I want to thank Maxine, Randy and all of the wonderful volunteers for making their event so great. The ride home was pleasantly unremarkable! Got home in one piece and it's a… Read more »

25Aug2008

Off to Whitecourt

Belt Drive 0 Central Alberta Toy Run, riding community, Whitecourt Toy Run 6:42 AM

Off to Whitecourt