Rider Friendly - what does that really mean - to you?

What does a business being Rider Friendly mean to you?

Part of the overhaul of what we do at Belt Drive Betty is putting together a training course for: Hotel, motel, campground and B & B operators, Gas Stations and Restaurants/Pubs and Bars on how to be “Rider Friendly”.

Part one is to actually create and teach a course to management and front end staff and part two is about “Phantom Shopping” these places to measure how well they do after they are trained.

We have not yet worked out the details to this rather interesting customer service program that would become a key feature of the Rider Friendly Business Association and the BDB Club for Riders.

I would love some feedback from you the riders to incorporate into our training program.

1: What one thing would you appreciate the most in a customer service experience at a hotel or motel?

2: If you are not pressed for time (it’s not too late at night etc) what is the BIGGEST deciding factor in choosing a hotel/motel to stay at?

Signage, parking lot appearance…what makes you decide to turn in?

3: What one thing pisses you off the most when you are at a hotel or motel?

4: Can you describe what a good customer experience should look or feel like to you?

As we build this program we are going to be coming to you guys and dolls to get advice, guidance – why? Even though I am a rider, mine is only one opinion and I want this program to improve customer service in a really large way. One person’s point of view will not be enough to impact the task at hand.

After we get done with this, our pilot project and we have worked the kinks out and fine tuned it, we will then be going to other provinces and jurisdictions to roll the program out.

We will be looking for phantom/mystery shoppers – we haven’t decided exactly what the program will look like but basically members of the BDB Club will be invited to become phantom shoppers, you will be given a list of objectives and a short report to fill out on your experience – you will be compensated for your efforts – again, we are unsure of what that will look like but we are thinking free meals and rooms, maybe gifts – we’ll see.

We have to talk to the Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association as well as Travel Alberta and other stake holders – but I think, finally – we are heading towards a time in the very near future where Alberta’s and perhaps all of Canada’s hospitality industry will become more rider friendly and provide improved customer service – period!

In the news today: what is being dubbed as the MOST Important Honda motorcycle to ever be unveiled  is this: the new CB Twister – a 9bhp, 186mpg 110cc that was unveiled in India yesterday. You sport bike guys/gals- I'd be interested in you impressions of this machine...

Harley is recalling over 100,000 motorcycles!

OUCH - that's gonna cost a  pretty penny. There are two articles on the recall: http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/286-news-international-/2997-more-than-111000-harley-davidson-touring-bikes-recalled?directory=26  (Powersport Business is the source of this one)

The other: http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/3000-harley-skids-but-survives

It does appear to be a simple fix - however it will still end up looking like a $40 repair on a 111,000 motorcycles (FL and FLH models) that's gonna hurt the pocket book ($4,440,000.00 would be the conservative estimate of the costs associated with this recall IMHA)

If you are fortunate/smart enough to live where it's not minus 40 and you are riding your scoot (U Suck and I am  green with envy) PLEASE ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP - A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com

Motorcyclists...

To those of you who took a few minutes to express your feelings about our new format  for the newspaper, thank you. It is deeply appreciated. The feedback has been very positive so far.

What could we do to make things even better? Your assistance as always is wanted.
I would like to take a moment to thank Gary from Stettler for his donation to our web site. We sure appreciate the help!

Have you heard of MotoRescue? It is Canada's first and only 24 hour road side assistance program just for motorcycles and scooters and we are now hooked up with them.

When you buy a MotoRescue membership you get a complimentary membership in the BDB Club complete with a subscription to the Busted Knuckle, a down load able savings card that is good at 140 locations, access to all of our on line support tools and event calendars.
It's the best $99.95 a year you will ever spend.

www.motorescue.ca 

Rod is still setting everything up but if you want the paper, membership in the BDB Club and MotoRescue Road Side Assistance - contact me and I can get you hooked up.

In the news today, the Ottawa Police released footage of an Acura they believe to be responsible in a hit and run in Ottawa that killed rider David Wray.

BCCOM is hosting another "Justice for all Rally" in Surrey January 15th..

And in sports Yamaha's R1 will not be allowed to compete in the Parts Canada Superbike Series - apparently if the manufactures isn't supporting the series their top level machines will not be allowed to compete, unless of course I have read the article wrong.

IN BDB Club News:
If you are a member of Belt Drive Betty 's Network of Riders - either on Face book or on our own web site, you need to check out Rose's Front Room in Blackfalds AB or her Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=36101812098&ref=nf


Rose will ship anywhere and trust me people - her prices are pretty hard to beat.
Rose is a member of the Rider Friendly Business Association and one of our 140 locations where your BDB Club membership card is good at for savings and specials.

Pomeroy Group is getting ready to open a new hotel in Bowmanville Ontario - they now have 13 hotels/motels that are part of the Rider Friendly Business Association - great service and discounts!

Leather & Steel in Fruitvale BC have some killer Christmas Specials happening - check them out, again, Randy & Sherri will ship anywhere! www.leatherandsteel.ca

Insane Customs in Edmonton has gone through a huge make over and are offering some great gear for Christmas...www.insanecustoms.ca

If you are a member on www.beltdrivebetty.com go to Business, Rider Friendly Directory and find the BDB partners in your region to work with - you just might save some money and make a new friend in the process!

If you are a smart/lucky human being and you live where you can ride - please, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists Canada (A.I.M. Can)
www.aim-can.com

Our Newspaper's new format

So, I am on pins and needles wondering how everyone is going to feel about the new look of the paper. Many of you should be opening them now....

I personally, am thrilled, I think it is far easier to read and enjoy - and it's printable right there on your home or small office printer.

I am trying something else that's new - because we are converting so many of our print subscribers over to the electronic paper, we decided to chop the paper into sections for our dial up friends to see how that would work for down loading. It is my hope that it works pretty good for them - again, I can't wait for your feedback!
If you are on high speed you can download your whole paper like normal - if you are on dial up, you can select the sections or down load it all by section - your choice.

If you like this format and are agreeable - I have even figured out how to embed web site links into our advertisers ads! The only thing is that when you click on the ad to go to the web site this little pop up comes up telling you that the document is trying to open a web site link - if you want to go to the site you click OK and if not, you click no. I didn't want to do that yet and freak out those who are not yet comfortable with the internet.

I didn't want to do what I usually do - which is to overwhelm everyone with a whole ton of new stuff all at once! So we'll wait for some feedback from you guys and dolls today...

I am SOOOO tickled pink with our 2010 Show 'n' Shine.

The prize line up looks like this so far...
(And believe me folks we aren't even close to being done!):

Event Tickets:
Wharf Rat Rally - Digby Nova Scotia
River Rat Rally - Gananoque ON
Thousand Islands Foundation for the Performing Arts - Gananoque ON
Heartland Bash - Wostock AB
Toad Rock Rally - Nelson/Balfour BC
Kooteney Gut Buster - Nelson/Balfour BC
Horse Thief Hideout - Invermere BC
Birkenstock - Whistler BC

Other Phenomenal Prizes being supplied by:
FYTNESS FANATIK - Only the BEST Fytness Magazine on the planet!

MotoRescue - Canada's First 24 Hr Road Side Assistance Program for Motorcycles - Home Office Toronto ON

Loving Hands Family Restaurant - Kerrobert SK - home of incredible mushroom soup and other delectables!
Bandit Art Freehand Engraving - Edmonton AB
LP Custom Embroidery - Montreal PQ
Gypsy Art - Edmonton AB
Author Jim Victor's Book - Pulling your Tail
Tranquility Therapeutic Massage - Carstairs AB
Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Assoc.- Grande Prairie AB

Mighty Peace Tourist Assoc.- Berwyn AB

Chromedreams Motorcycle Appraisals - Delta BC
Wild Horse Leather Works - Stony Plain AB
Dr Skinstitcher - Bentley AB
Native Arts Tattoo - Red Deer AB
Insane Customs - Edmonton AB
Adelle Lauden - Author - ON


If you are an advertiser who is looking for a little extra exposure in these weird economic times - how about supplying a prize for our show 'n' shine or our New BDB Rewards Centre?

I am so excited! I can't wait to see everyone's bikes -if all goes well we will have prizes from just about every province! We might even be able to give out first and second prizes this year...Yes, exciting stuff!

In the news today it appears that two members of the Hells Angels got an early Christmas present. They won't be being tried for assault as the victim says he has nothing to say. The victim is in contempt of court...

Suzuki sold 20% of it's company to VW.   It will be interesting to see what happens with this merging as they will be able to share so many technologies.

The Wharf Rat Rally in Digby Nova Scotia won the Ambassadors Award from Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia - Please note - we are giving away tickets to this events special functions as part of our show "n" shine this year!!!!

If you are fortunate enough to live where you can be out riding - PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you! If not and you live in Ontario - go kick some tires at the Toronto Motorcycle Show - it will help with that PMS - I promise...
(PMS = Parked Motorcycle Syndrome for those of you not familiar with the term)

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com

The Justice for all Rally

I read with much interest this morning all about the Justice Rally in Surrey, alternately wishing that I could have been there and glad I wasn't.

I have not had the best of experiences with the RCMP, even though I have uncles who are now retired from the force. As a rider and someone who used to host motorcycles shows I have had experiences with a number of officers who have had me feeling terrified and yet furious/indignant - it's a very scary and uncertain place to be.

Way back, when I held my first bike show, I remember the grilling I got - the first question out of the Staff Sgt's mouth was "Are the Hells Angels Coming?" My answer was rather flip - I mean I was stunned to be asked that question - "How the HE Double Hockey Sticks would I know? It's not like extended a personal invitation, it's a public function, they might come."

I was put through the ringer - they even enacted a no colors on city property bylaw here in Grande Prairie to convince the Hells Angels not show up for that show. I had to have extra insurance and we had to make sure no one wore any kind of patch or colors - we handed out bags at the entrance....because the event was on city property. (they did this to me 10 days before the event.)

My experiences with the RCMP never improved as a show coordinator simply because I refused to tell people they couldn't come to my event based on the clothes they wore,(the people could stay but the patches had to be taken off - that made no sense to me),
which is why in year two we moved to Wembley and why in year three we moved to central Alberta. I was trying to find a jurisdiction that understood that 99% of riders are just PEOPLE who have no criminal intent, they just enjoy their motorcycles.

I damned near lost everything I own and almost got thrown in jail over the bike show in Olds. Why? Because the RCMP decided they were going to teach me a lesson - and I got it, loud and clear. They walked through the venue 6 wide, they blocked our gates, they parked 4 and 5 cruisers at our gates, stopped people and diverted people - they made sure we had NO spectators and they made sure that our costs were way over what they would normally be. In order to get our licensing we had to prepare for 50K people when we know we'd be really lucky to get 15K and we never hit 5K. Insurance went from 18 -$1900 to $3,700, port o potties went from 2,500 to $11K...

$100K in debt later - I won't hold bike shows anymore, the financial risk is just too great and the RCMP have absolute power. I have been chastised by many for saying we live in a police state but then most of the people who have chastised me - who have held Canada up as this wonderful example of freedom are people who are on the right side of the RCMP and by that I am not referring to whether or not one is law abiding, but more whether or not one just does the RCMP's bidding. If you have no reason to challenge the system - you'll never experience what the system is capable of. I have and people, and from my experience - it's not pretty.

Had I simply said, yeah I don't care, we'll ban colors at a motorcycle show - my experiences would have been so very, very different - I KNOW THAT!

I also know one should not tar any one group with a sweeping brush of discrimination - I know that there are many on the force who are good people and who do their jobs because they want to serve and protect. I also know that there are many on the force who have major egos, who are power hungry and who know how to use the law to further their own personal agendas/vendettas. These have been my personal experiences.

Cpl Robinson appears to be a man who is either in crisis OR he has major psychological issues IMHO. The job of being a peace officer is far from easy and can be very hard on the head - you see the worst that human nature can offer. Some break - they can't take the horrid things they see. In the cases of soldiers and accident victims it's called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I think that term could apply to many on the force and those who work in the other emergency services - fire and ambulance. They are the hardest jobs imaginable - I used to date a firefighter - some of the things he saw and experienced...

Did the rally in Surrey serve any purpose? Yes. It got more recognition for BCCOM, always a good thing. It made 100 riders feel better. It gave the newspapers something to talk about. It may cause a few people to be better drivers - awareness may be heightened for the moment.

But did it really do anything to effect positive change on a broader long term level?

Doubtful. Had there been 10K people out, 100K - then yeah, maybe we'd see some change but you see politics/law are numbers games and our numbers as motorcyclists - united motorcyclists aren't anywhere near large enough to cause the powers that be to change their attitudes on anything to do with us.

Until the general public decides to hold a protest - until there are hundreds of thousands of people saying "ENOUGH" - nothing will change. The RCMP operate with virtual impunity in my humble opinion. The news is filled with examples of that impunity all of the time, think back to Ottawa and Giuliano Zaccardelli the former RCMP Commissioner, or the other Surrey/Delta area officers (5 if memory serves me correctly) who last year were charged with impaired driving - all around this time of year. I can cite cases where officers have committed acts of indecent exposure in a Toys are Us store, or beaten their spouse. They are human and they break the law sometimes...do they get off easier for their offenses.
I think they do...but hey that's just my personal opinion - I'd LOVE to know what your opinion is.

If you are fortunate enough to live where you can ride, PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com

So much to learn...

Like everyone out there I am learning how to work with in the environment of the internet. Now I have worked here for a while but only in a limited way.

I am learning so much about on line stores and group programs that are supposed to, once you have them set up, make it easier to help people and keep them informed. It's a learning curve to say the least.

I was wondering what other people, both those in business and those who use the internet for research and info find to be the most challenging thing to learn.

In the news today, don't forget the Rally in Surrey for those for you on the wet coast (and no that's not one of my famous type o's - I mean wet coast) who think that a message needs to be sent to the courts.

PEACEFUL Rally organized by a fellow motorcyclist.

Surrey Provincial Court 14340 57th Avenue Surrey, BC V3X 1B2

December 8,2009 12

Noon Main Lobby

Wear your Motorcycle jacket

B.C. Coalition of Motorcyclists
Email: office@bccom-bc.com
Website: www.bccom-bc.com
Phone: (604) 580-0111 or 1-877-580-0111
"Working for Your Freedom to Ride!" 

Bike Shows this year are having a hard time attracting vendors which means spectators aren't too happy - this appears to be a world wide problem with consumer trade shows period. The NEC show - if you go to the article on it, has a number of reviews that seem indicative of the feelings of many show goers. It appears that our external links aren't working this morning for some reason and this is WAY beyond my scope and ability to fix, so ALi will need to do that later this morning, but in the mean time, here is the direct link to the NEC article not just the internal link to the news feed...http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2009/December/dec0709-nec-show-numbers-down/?&R=EPI-120641

Many, spectators were apparently disappointed or at least noticed that Harley, Honda and Ducati were not present...

Let's hope our upcoming Canadian Shows are better attend by the general public and that all of the manufacturers are at least present. I know there are a ton of small businesses that would normally attend these shows that aren't planning to this year simply due to expense and their lack of confidence that sales will cover the costs.

Unfortunately that is the economic climate we are living in.

I hope you have a fabulous day and if you are lucky/smart enough to live where you can ride, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com

A Peaceful Rally at Surrey Provincial Courthouse

As Belt Drive Betty, I sometimes forget that I should keep my personal opinions personal and be the conduit for discussion - so instead of me expressing how I feel....Thank you for guiding and coaching me to be the best that I can be people...I appreciate the feedback. BDB

This was submitted by Ron of Chromedreams Appraisals - I offer it here for your consideration.

Written by a fellow biker, and making sense to me, I pass this on for your consideration.
Hope to see many of you there, Ron

Please read the following news release. I know you are a fellow rider and many of you have children who ride or are planning to soon. If it makes you angry, you are not alone as I too am sick & tired of what is happening in regards to this case and many like it involving members of the R.C.M.P. I am at a point where if we do not do something or protest what is wrong with the system, more of us will find ourselves either dead or injured by the same people we pay to uphold such laws.

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. PERIOD !!

After you read the following, if it makes you angry as how the officer worked the system to his advantage, please join me and others at this peacefull rally to let the public, court and officers know that enough is enough. I really hope and pray to see you there.

By ourselves, we are strong. Together we can move mountains. If you tell others about this rally, we can let them know in strength and sheer numbers that something has to change because while we cannot bring back Orion Hutchinson to his family, we can stop this from happening to others like our own sons and daughters. There is information on the rally at the bottom of this story that takes place at the Surrey courthouse on December 8th.Thank you for taking the time to read this and pass it on....Sam Singh

Mountie Monty Robinson left crash scene then drank alcohol as Orion Hutchinson lay dying Robinson most senior of four RCMP officers involved in Tasering death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver International Airport in 2007

While Orion Hutchinson lay dying, Monty Robinson raced home and had two stiff drinks, but that's not enough to penalize him with a stronger charge.

Simon Fraser University criminologist David MacAlister raised questions Wednesday as to why Cpl. Benjamin "Monty" Robinson was not charged under Sec. 252 of the criminal code - failure to stop at the scene of an accident causing death.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of life in prison - the same as impaired driving causing death.

"It sounded like this charge seems to most closely fit the facts of the case," MacAlister said.

"He did stop and give his driver's license but the section also requires you to provide assistance and based on what I've heard, there isn't any indication he did that."

Delta police recommended charges of impaired driving causing death be laid against Cpl. Benjamin "Monty" Robinson for the death of Orion Hutchinson, 21.

However, the attorney-general's office charged the Mountie Tuesday with the lesser charge of obstruction of justice for his alleged actions after the collision, citing lack of evidence.

The obstruction charge, which carries no minimum sentence, has a maximum of 10 years.

Neil MacKenzie, Criminal Justice Branch spokesman, said there was not enough evidence to support impaired-driving charges nor failure to stop at the scene of an accident.

"That was among the charges that the branch considered . . . it did not meet our charge assessment standard," Mackenzie said, declining to elaborate further.

Under Sec. 252 of the criminal code, a failure to stop includes an accident where the driver fails to stop to escape civil or criminal liability, or provide his name and address, as well as where a person has been injured and appears to require assistance and none is offered.

While the Crown is not commenting on the case as it is before the courts, MacAlister pondered whether the obstruction of justice charge stems from Robinson's knowledge of the law.

"By virtue of the fact that he knew the law and he knew what the police had to do to put a case together, for him to make the decision to go home have a couple drinks, he may have known that could interfere with their ability to get a breathalyzer test," MacAlister said.

"I think it's that conduct he engaged in after the accident that constituted the obstruction.

"It's a very serious incident and it calls into question his integrity and how honesty and forthright he is."

On Oct. 25, 2008, Robinson's Jeep crashed into Hutchinson's motorcycle at a Tsawwassen intersection. Robinson, who was off-duty at the time, identified himself to witnesses, then left the scene with his two kids, without checking on the dying Hutchinson.

In March, in a bid to have his driving ban overturned, Robinson told a B.C. Supreme Court that he had two shots of vodka at home before returning to the scene of the accident, where he then failed a breathalyzer test.

The court rejected his version of events.
Robinson is the most senior of four Mounties involved in the Tasering death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver International Airport in 2007. The Crown has decided not to lay any charges.

Robinson is scheduled to appear in Surrey Provincial Court on Dec. 8.

PEACEFUL Rally organized by a fellow motorcyclist.

Surrey Provincial Court 14340 57th Avenue Surrey, BC V3X 1B2

December 8,2009 12

Noon Main Lobby

Wear your Motorcycle jacket

B.C. Coalition of Motorcyclists
Email: office@bccom-bc.com
Website: www.bccom-bc.com
Phone: (604) 580-0111 or 1-877-580-0111
"Working for Your Freedom to Ride!"

And a good time was had by all....

We had the best time shopping yesterday. I don't want to spoil the newspaper article I am writing but man we had fun! One of the best parts of the whole morning for our group of Toys for Tots is when Zeller's customers look at the line of 8 or so carts waiting for our private check out and you can hear their comments.
In the aisles too - "look at how much stuff that gal is buying"..."Did you see the stuff in his cart, how many flipping kids does he have?" The comments and looks are priceless and when they find out who we are and what we are doing well the looks and comments that happen then are just as pric41eless.

Our Salvation Army here in Grande Prairie takes all of the toys and clothes that we donate to them and they put them out in store fashion so that the parents can pick what will fit or be right for their child/children when they come in to pick up their Christmas Hampers.

I have decided to volunteer at the Sally Ann store this year to help with the filling and distribution of hampers. If anyone else who lives in my area (Grande Prairie AB) feels like joining me to get a shot of Christmas Spirit, I'd welcome it and I am sure the Sally Ann will too. December 21st is our hamper day here. If you have time...get in touch with me.

In the news today...

The Hells Angels are in the news again... In Edmonton 3 more were charged and sentenced to prison terms for drug offenses.

A former Alberta Safety Council Motorcycle Instructor and Edmonton Transit Bus Driver, Tom Begg is a big part of the Edmonton motorcycle community and he is fighting for his life after a savage beating. Your help is needed to support Tom and his family during this dark hour. Please, if you can help out in any way, I know it will be deeply appreciated.

I have, with help from some of our members here, been learning the art of time management and the art of making time for lifelong learning.
I have 10 more minutes to get the last of my emails answered and my posting on twitter and Face book done so Id' best sign off. I don't want to be late for my marketing class, it starts at 5 am my time.

Since I have begun learning time management I find I am actually getting some time in for me. That's a novel idea I am looking forward to exploring!

Any how gang, you have a fabulous day.

If you are one of the smart/lucky people and you live in a warm climate where you can ride, PLEASE, ride like everyone around is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com