Are you kidding me?

I have been hearing about the coming changes in the regulations here in Alberta regarding Mopeds and I really didn't think this regulation would pass, but it has.

"Alberta’s reclassification of 50cc vehicles as mopeds and not motorcycles — effective July 1 — means people as young as 14 years old could be driving on roads in vehicles that can travel up to 70 km/h. " The link to the article in our news feeds: Laws Governing Mopeds Changed

The reason behind the change?

"Previously, Alberta regulations categorized mopeds between 35 and 55 kilograms and with a top speed of 50 km/h. That left larger or faster vehicles falling under the motorcycle classification, which requires a dedicated motorcycle licence.

With the new classification, a motorcycle licence is no longer required to operate the 50cc bikes.

According to Transportation Alberta, the changes were made to bring the provincial law in line with the federal law governing limited speed motorcycles and power-assisted bicycles.

Power and power-assisted bicycles can have a maximum power of 500 watts (down from 750 watts or 50cc) and a top speed of 32 km/h (down from 35 km/h). There is no weight restriction, which was previously set at 35 kilograms.

No driver’s licence nor insurance nor registration is required for the power bikes or power-assisted bikes, but the drivers must wear a helmet and be at least 12 years old."

The article sited accident stats for Alberta:

Between 2003 and 2007, 3,658 motorcycles were involved in collisions, resulting in 123 deaths and 3,815 injuries across Alberta, according to Henry.

During that time frame, July had the most collisions, half of which were on weekends and a third of which were between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Forty-five per cent of motorcycle-related collisions involved drivers committing an improper action (following too closely, for example), Henry said.

He noted that in 25 per cent of all injury collisions, motorcycle drivers were riding too fast for the conditions.

Would someone who is smarter that I am PLEASE tell me what these people are thinking...

We are now going to allow 14 year old kids to drive mopeds and put their decision making skills to the test pitted up against vehicles that weigh in excess of 2,000 pounds and drivers of motor vehicles who are preoccupied with more important tasks than driving with awareness...how freaking smart is that?

WE NEED MANDATORY RIDER TRAINING.

Maybe I am wrong, but I think we are putting our kids in an unnecessary risk position.
I would LOVE to hear your opinion on this topic!

In other news our friend and humor columnist Layton Park is finally at home sleeping in his own bed! He has a lot of physio ahead of him and no doubt there will be a lot of hurdles and challenges but he is home and his family is over joyed. To catch up on Layton and his road to recovery: http://backroadscholar.wordpress.com/
We leave on our Over Night Dice Run to Peace River this evening - part of the proceeds are going to Layton to assist him in anyway we can. Layton is a member of the Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists. If you find yourself with no where to ride your motorcycle this weekend, why not join us? It's $20 for your dice rolls, there are some fabulous ride prizes being given away AND we are supporting three causes - the Peace River Toys for Tots, The Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists & the Ride for Dad.

2010 will see the Peace Region with it's very own Ride for Dad and this event is paving the way for that! So come on out and join us and the film crew from Velocity video as we ride the Mighty Peace doing what riders do best, supporting wonderful causes. This event is being filmed as part of a broader motorcycle tourism DVD that Mighty Peace Tourism is creating!

If you are riding somewhere this weekend PLEASE - ride like everyone around you is blind, stay hydrated and please, use respect with that right hand.

Belt Drive Betty