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

Getting Excited!

I am getting excited...we are having an Over Night Dice Run tomorrow!
It's a fundraiser for AIM-Can - we are raising some $ for Layton Park
It's also our inaugural Ride for Dad!

The whole event is being filmed for Mighty Peace Tourism.
Our friend Mike Cole from the Winter Ride for Diabetes is coming for the run, it will be good to see the crazy lad again!

Our goal is 50 bikes on the run. I hope you can join us - it's $20 to get involved - we have all kinds of giveaways, a few silent auction items. Friday night we have a meet 'n' greet with free appies and on Saturday we have a free lunch and end of the run BBQ!

Other than in the parking lot I haven't had much time on my motorcycle so I am really looking forward to the run.

My trip to Wasaga Beach is all arranged, I am looking so forward to seeing my sisters of the Chrome Divas!

Layton is doing better, hubby's still having some challenges...speaking of hubby, there is an article about hubby and I in Fytness Fanatik Magazine Amanda, the editor is a rider and the whole magazine this month is devoted to motorcyclists.

One thing I am really loving about my job of late is "meeting" all of the other business people who ride. It is interesting to know the depth and variety of people who ride!

If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you, stay hydrated and PLEASE, use respect with your throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty

And the winner is....

Scott from McCool's Street Bar & Grill phoned this morning with the information on the winning logo. "It was a tough decision, there are so many fabulous entries!" said Scott

In the end it was agreed by Scott and his staff that the logo on the left is the one that best represents his Bar & Grill.

Thank you to everyone who entered.

Congratulations to our member - SAS from
Olds AB!

You just won a $500 Gift Certificate to the dealership or shop of your choice!

In other news, there is an interesting story out of Tuk in the news feeds on www.beltdrivebetty.com - it would appear the love affair with Jesse James is on rocky footing.

If you are riding your motorcycle today, Please - ride like everyone around you is blind, stay hydrated and use respect when using the right hand.

Belt Drive Betty

A coordinated effort

For 6 years my dream, my goal has been to provide riders with a central clearinghouse of information. A place where you can go to find out the news about what's going on in motorcycling, where all of the events are etc...

Very soon, and I do mean VERY SOON, our web site will be relaunching and with it a whole whack of sharing tools that is going to make it easier than ever for riders to share what's shaking.

A while back we asked the question, what can we do to make the site better and overwhelmingly the response was make it more like Facebook - so - we are!

Some of the tools and functionality that will be available to we riders is going to rock your socks!

I got a sneak preview last night of all of the tools and components that Ali has been feverishly configuring for us.

I think you will be totally impressed.

I am so excited and can't wait until Ali gives me the word that we are ready to show it to you all!

Just a few more sleeps as long as no other major gremlins rear their ugly heads...

In other news, McCool's Street Bar & Grill has not been able to decide on their logo winner. Scott says he and his staff are still debating between a couple. He promises an answer very soon.

I look forward to seeing which of the over 50 entries has been chosen.

It's cold, gloomy and raining her in GP - good thing I have a lot of paperwork to do here!

If you are riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you, stay hydrated and PLEASE - use respect with that throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty

Wow!

Man - you guys are pretty terrific!

I have a 94 Fatboy to ride and an airplane ticket coming...how's that for a quick overhaul of plans!

So there you go, sometimes you just have to ask for help.

The news feeds were nothing short of depressing this morning. So many riders who are loosing their lives. There were a few good stories in the main stream news - but as usual, mostly sad and negative.

The paper is locked up and at the printers...I need three people who like doing sales. If you have a computer and a phone, that's all you need. We pay a decent commission and I sure need the help>

It's cold here in GP, been raining off and on all morning, so guess no parking lot time for me today.

If you are lucky enough to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you, stay hydrated and use respect with that throttle hand!

Belt Drive Betty

Changing plans...

Well, originally I was going to ride from Grande Prairie to Wasaga Beach Ontario for the Chrome Diva's International Female Ride Day on July 25th.

However, hubby has been on this roller coaster with his health and so I looked into flying to Toronto and renting a bike. Looks like that is what I'll be doing.

I was really looking forward to a 4,000 km ride one way but the time away from home with hubby in the shape he's in, no - can't be gone that long.

Rocky's in London has a Street Glide I can rent for the weekend with unlimited kilometers and with airfare so cheap I can do the whole trip, bike rental included for under a $1,000

So, I won't set any mileage records on my own machine this year but hey- I am still riding and right now that counts for a lot.

I spent some time in the parking lot just up the street from my house practising the Ride Like a Pro Techniques.

I can now ride over a two by four with out spitting it out and the 12' cone weave, I actually am getting that...after practice, I went to the local Timmy's to hand out some fliers for our upcoming Ride to Peace River for AIM-Can & Ride for Dad...I still had the foam on my crash bars and I was amazed at how many people knew what I was up to.

"You were practicing the Ride like a Pro?" And we now have 4 or 5 people geared up for some time in the college's parking lot to practice and help each other. I was amazed at how many men were willing to admit they needed to know more and become better riders!

That I know of now, at least 15 people in the area have bought the DVD's and only one remembered to ask for the discount that Motorman offers BDB Club Members...

I am excited to be learning new skills - lifelong learning is important to staying young and healthy!

Ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you, stay hydrated and PLEASE, use some respect and restraint with that right hand...

Belt Drive Betty