Edmonton Motorcycle Show

<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was a slow start on Friday - looking forward to a busier Saturday.</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Come visit us at our booth - # 613</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We'd love to see you! </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm late getting going...talk to you tomorrow!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Stay safe and warm</span><br /> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i>

Edmonton Motorcycle Show

It was a slow start on Friday - looking forward to a busier Saturday. Come visit us at our booth - # 613 We'd love to see you! I...

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Is MPP Jaczek misinformed or am I?

<link href="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/HP_ADM%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Helvetica; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1 -369098753 63 0 4129279 0;} @font-face {font-family:"\@Arial Unicode MS"; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1 -369098753 63 0 4129279 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} p {margin-right:0cm; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial Unicode MS";} p.trebushcet, li.trebushcet, div.trebushcet {mso-style-name:trebushcet; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:36.0pt 36.0pt 36.0pt 36.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:0cm; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style> <br /> --> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><i>It appears from what I am reading that Ontario <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MPP</span> Helena <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jaczek</span> and her staff have misinterpreted the statistics she has been touting from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Smartrisk</span> to further her cause. </i></span></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />It turns out, if you really read the stats that Pam Farmer of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Smartrisk</span> sent me (Supposed to be the same stats used by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Jaczek</span>) that they are for <b>RIDERS</b> and <b>NOT</b> for <b>PASSENGERS.</b> <br />If you look on our <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/Motorcycle_Media/busted-knuckle-news-home/news/1392-bill-117-in-ontario-and-why-every-rider-across-canada-needs-to-know-what-it-is-about-eroding-a-parents-right-to-choose-">News page</a> and scroll to the bottom of the Article called <o:p></o:p></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <u1:worddocument> <u1:view>Normal <u1:zoom>0 <u1:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </u1:zoom> </u1:view> </u1:worddocument> </xml><![endif]--></div> <div class="trebushcet"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>"Bill 117 in Ontario and why every rider across Canada needs to know what it is about. Eroding a Parent's Rights" </b>the links to the information I was given by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Smartrisk</span> are there so you can download them and look at them yourself) Interestingly these statistics are not available on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Smartrisk</span> web site:<a href="http://www.smartrisk.ca/home/"> www.smartrisk.ca</a><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />In fact, I was speaking with Robert <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">LePage</span> of <a href="http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/tp/tp3322/2006/page3.htm">Transport Canada</a> and he expressed that true solid statistical information on <b><i>passengers</i></b> injured in motorcycles accidents are simply not available. <br />He also expressed that mopeds are included in the statistics that are available from Transport Canada. According to him statistics for accidents are gathered by the police services and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">hospital</span> staff and if the right questions are not asked by these groups of service providers then the stats won't be very accurate.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The information on the <a href="http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/orsar/orsar05/chp6_1_05.shtml#ref_6a">MTO web site</a> does not give age break downs for passengers involved in accidents. In a call to the MTO I was told that age breakdowns for passengers injured is not available - period. Am I being misinformed? Ms. Jaczek seems to have access to different information than the public can get their hands on. (See her standard request for informtion reply below) </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In trying to find detailed and accurate information on <b><i>passengers</i></b> injured in motorcycle accidents I am told by every source I have tried so far "Good Luck".</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> We'll see what the insurance Bureau of Canada can provide, I am still waiting on them to get back to me. </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />On the <a href="http://insuranceinfo.imaginecanada.ca/node/394">Insurance & Liability Resource Centre</a> page on the <a href="http://www.imaginecanada.ca/">Imagine Canada</a> web site you can find interesting statistics on accidents in Ontario. </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />As I said, I have been looking everywhere and asking for information from a whole ton of sources and so far, no quality statistics are available from any of them. </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />So, how can an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">MPP</span> misinterpret the information that is there so badly? What is her motivation? Is she just a hater of motorcycles and trying to find a back door way of getting them off the road? Or is she trying to further her career? Ms. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Jaczek's</span> staff's appear not to have done quality research or interpretation. And if they have, they are not sharing it. I unearthed something in a standard request for information reply from her office. She touts the fact that 4 US States have age restrictions for passengers, <b><i>what she doesn't tell you is the actual restrictions.</i></b> </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><b>Here they are</b> (<a href="http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/laws/result.asp?state=AL">Info from the AMA Web Site</a>) <br />Child Passenger Prohibitions - <br />Hawaii: Under 7 <br />Washington: Under 5 <br />Arkansas: Under 8 <br />Louisiana: Under 5 </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><b>Here is the standard reply I received from her office:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am writing to thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts regarding my Private Member’s Bill, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Child Passengers on Motorcycles) 2008. <o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As you know, Bill 117, if passed, would amend the Highway Traffic Act to prohibit driving or operating a motorcycle on a highway while a person under the age of 14 is a passenger on the motorcycle, with a view to promoting safety on Ontario’s roads and protecting youth from preventable injuries. <o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This initiative would promote safety on Ontario roads and help protect youth from preventable injuries. The research is alarming:<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">According to Ontario <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">MTO</span>’s Road Safety Reports, a total of 199 motorcycle passengers between the ages of 0-15 sustained an injury in the years 1995-2005. 12 of these were between the ages of 0-4, 54 were between the ages of 5-9 and 133 were between the ages of 10-15.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">According to Smart Risk, in the fiscal year 2005-2006, 856 people were hospitalized in Ontario due to motorcycle related injuries. Of those, eight were aged 5-9 and 38 were between the ages of 10 and 14. <o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">According to Transport Canada, in 2006, 54 motorcycle passengers (between the ages 0-14) were seriously injured, across Canada. Four of these were between 0-4 years of age; and, 50 of these were between 5-14 years of age.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>In the USA, four states have age-related laws and this would be the first law of its type in Canada.<br /></b><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 100%;">Daniel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Gianasi</span></span></b></i><span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 100%;">Constituency Assistant</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 100%;">Office of Dr. Helena <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Jaczek</span>, M.P.P.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 100%;">Oak Ridges - Markham</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 100%;">137 Main Street North, Suite 201</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 100%;">Markham, Ontario L3P 1Y2</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 100%;">T - (905) 294-4931</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 100%;">F - (905) 294-0014</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 100%;">Toll Free - 1 866 531-9551</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://hjaczek.mpp.co/" target="_blank">hjaczek.mpp.co</a>@<a href="http://liberal.ola.org/" target="_blank">liberal.ola.org</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />So you see, I am finding it very difficult to get the same information out of the Stats that Ms. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Jaczek</span> is touting. It appears to me that the information that is out there is being taken out of context and being deliberately misrepresented by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">avoidance</span> of the facts (Re: age restrictions in the USA - Riders Injured, not Passengers etc.) and either the people I have been talking to don't have a clue or it's the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Jaczek</span> Crew that are out to lunch. Read the facts and then decide for yourself what's going on here. </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I have been told by one of the major organizers (Ironmaiden) in the fight to have this outlandish bill squashed that the fight must go on and that no one who is affected by this bill should feel confident that it will fall by the wayside. Such are the politics in this country. </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />When politicians interpret stats for their own agendas and further their own careers, it's a travesty to our system, but hey - that's just my opinion. </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Stay safe and warm and do yourself a favour, get educated on what's happening in our communities across Canada, from noise laws, pipes, helmets, and insurance to our children - there's a lot to know. <br /><i><br /><o:p></o:p></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>As taxpayers, as motorcyclists - you need to know. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.</i> </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><i><b>Belt Drive Betty </b></i></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]--></div>

Is MPP Jaczek misinformed or am I?

--> It appears from what I am reading that Ontario MPP Helena Jaczek and her staff have misinterpreted the statistics she has been ...

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Statistics - how do you read them

<i><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have been researching the statistics quoted by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MPP</span> Helena <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jaczek</span> from Ontario as she quotes them to support her private member's Bill 117</span></span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am awaiting a reply from her office to supply them and guidance on how to verify their origins.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What I am seeing on the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario web site leads me to believe that her statistics are extremely skewed.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I also have calls in to the Insurance Council of Canada and Statistics Canada.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The problem with any statistic is the logic behind how they are compiled and what questions are asked. It is vital when talking to the people providing them that one asks the right questions to get the most valid and accurate answers.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'll fill you in more and what I discover over the course of the next few days.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even though I live in Alberta, I think having all of the facts and being educated about what is going on around us vital - no matter where we riders live.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until tomorrow, stay safe and warm</span></i><br /> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i>

Statistics - how do you read them

I have been researching the statistics quoted by MPP Helena Jaczek from Ontario as she quotes them to support her private member's Bil...

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Tired but Happy!

<span style="color: #e69138;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am happy to have finally gotten our phone book yesterday and that we were able to get a decent amount out to the riders even though we missed the heaviest traffic days.</span></i></span><br /> <span style="color: #e69138;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We had a small type o in one of our business partners ads - Purple Slice's phone number is wrong. The last digit in their phone number should be a 5 not a 6 sooo it means going through all of the books we have on hand and us manually fixing them.</span></i></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Show schedules are grueling and I am a tired girl today.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am working on the paper today so it can be printed tomorrow.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With any luck we will be able to print the events calendars this week. I am just waiting to hear from the component developer to ensure we can pull end dates properly for all of our 2 and three day events.</span><br /> <span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="color: #444444;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I look forward to the Edmonton show and seeing old friends and making new ones this coming weekend and hope in the mean time that you stay safe and warm.</span></i></span><br /> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i>

Tired but Happy!

I am happy to have finally gotten our phone book yesterday and that we were able to get a decent amount out to the riders even though we mis...

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What a weekend

<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our phone book got held up in customs for three days, then got held up by avalanches in the pass but the truck driver called last night and he is here in Calgary and I am looking forward to being able to get them into the hands of riders today.</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have been gathering signatures to help our brothers and sisters in Ontario fight to squash Bill 117.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I remembered I had the petition at 1pm yesterday and in 5 short hours was able to gather about 250 signatures.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If our gathering signatures does nothing else for this community than help foster a tighter sense of community I think it's well worth the effort. The guys and dolls that live in Ontario need to know they have our support and I encourage every rider out there, no matter where you live in Canada to sign the petition. We can not let this law go in to effect - if it passes in Ontario it is only time before that fight will come to all of our door steps.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To read the Bill:<a href="http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2098&detailPage=bills_detail_the_bill"> http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BillID</span>=2098&<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">detailPage</span>=bills_detail_the_bill</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To sign the On line petition: <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/Cruise08/petition.html">http://www.petitiononline.com/Cruise08/petition.html<br /></a>Anyway - I have a truck driver to meet so I'd best go run through the rain locker and get ready for the day!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Stay safe and warm and if you live in Calgary - enjoy the warm weather and come visit us at the Calgary Motorcycle Show.</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i>

What a weekend

Our phone book got held up in customs for three days, then got held up by avalanches in the pass but the truck driver called last night and ...

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