Belt Drive Betty's Blog: 6/6/10

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Friday, June 11, 2010

And the fight is on!

There has not been a topic in the news in recent memory that has stirred so much anger, animosity and furor as Edmonton's new bylaw that targets specifically motorcycle noise.

Liane Langlois has a petition that she is circulating and in order for it to mean ANYTHING 79,000 signatures are needed from Edmonton Residents aged 18 and older. There are only 18,000 registered motorcycles in Edmonton. We, F.I.R.R.E., and other concerned motorcyclists are working hand in hand with Liane to get that number of signatures and more.

Many of the outlying bedroom communities are signing the petition as well and while they have NO strength with the Edmonton bylaw - they do in the media - public opinion is the field that those signatures will have power in - the other arena? Well, if your community tries the same thing at least phone numbers of those against will already be available to connect with people who will need to sign a second petition.

Stupidity and career building seems to be what this bylaw is all about. I have read so many articles from various journalists who have interviewed everyone from riders to cops and I get this out of it: the Edmonton police say they are going to target riding styles not just equipment. Why in the HELL have they not been doing that all along - stunting is stunting and most people being insensitive, self absorbed boobs/idiots be they in car, semi, pickup or on a bike are generally contravening some law that is already in place.

Fire, police and ambulances are another bone of contention in urban dwelling and Councilor Batty in Edmonton wants them muffled - at least at night - why the hell didn't their bylaw target all offenders right from the beginning?

I am so sick of the stupidity/lack of foresight, what ever you want to call it - of our governments at every level. They waste money and resources and we get to pay for them.
It is disgusting!

Noise is a fact of life. Unnecessary noise is not and there are already laws in place to deal with the causes if ONLY our police services would simply enforce them and do their jobs. If you read the comments in the various news articles you will see what I mean about the contradictory comments and the absolute career building, budget building BS that this bylaw is all about. If the police services did their jobs and nailed people for stunting no matter what they drive - this would not be an issue at all.

Most cities have a law and signage telling truckers to lay off their Jacobs brake - how many get pulled over and ticketed for using them in cities and towns though - darned few!

I am saddened and disgusted - but like many - I am ready to fight this ignorance that seems to be pervading our world. Let's be FOR thoughtfulness, sharing our communities with consideration of our fellow human - then we wouldn't need this crap!

Here is the link to the petition on my web site - http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/292-motorcycle-television/5307-petition-to-fight-the-new-edmonton-bylaw
Download the petition and print it off - you need adobe reader to do that - it's free.

Please if you live in Edmonton - garner as many signatures as you can - 79,000 is the magic minimum number - obviously we want to see it be 200K or more! Power in numbers people, power in numbers!

Not much else in the news today so far so...
If you are riding today - PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and out to get you and please, ride proud not loud - save those pipes for the times when they are well and truly needed - when some one drifts into your lane...

Belt Drive Betty

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

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Thursday, June 10, 2010

It's gonna get ugly folks

Edmonton passed their bylaw yesterday -

it's a done deal.

Apparently you will be able to get your motorcycle tested to see where you are at for some time before they start handing out tickets. And they are going to be doing some sort of small educational blitz about the bylaw, but...

For at least the next 5-6 years MOTORCYCLES are the only target as developing the testing for other vehicles will take that long.

That is WRONG and DISGUSTING and makes Edmonton one Motorcycle UNFRIENDLY City. Apparently there is a rumor floating around - unsubstantiated at the moment, but one we need to be aware of and be doing our best to defeat - Spruce Grove and Leduc could be following suit along with Devon and Fort Saskatchewan...if this happens folks it will not be long before this entire province does this to us.

What is going to happen to the Ride for Dad next year? It is sponsored by the police services... What is going to happen to the Alberta HOG Rally this year, next year. Motorcycle Tourism is a huge industry - we represent huge cash for these communities.

What can we do? We are 80K strong in Alberta - is there anyway you can see all of us getting together in a unified way to do something about this?

Folks - read the comment yesterday from an anonymous source that tells us about the California law that is being proposed by a person who apparently dislikes motorcycles.

People - we are being legislated to death here - literally.
We have a ton of media in Edmonton who ride, Steve Zimmerman, Gord Steinke, Terry Evans, J’Lyn Nye, Rob Berg - and that's only a few that I can think of quickly.
I wonder what it would take to get them along with a good lawyer to help this community take up the fight. There is no way that only one segment of the motoring public should be singled out this way.

We are where we are because we didn't police ourselves, the question now is - can we as a community actually band together to do something about this or are we just gonna snivel, %itch and complain?

This bylaw is wrong on so many levels it is wrong and a huge waste of money and resources. All the police had to do was enforce what was already on the books - nail those who ride like jackasses but no - now we all get to pay.

Come on people - let's get our act together, lets DO something.
Can anyone recommend a lawyer?
Can we start taking donations to fight the fight? What can we do folks????

If you read what is being proposed in California - it WILL make you shudder - because it could end up here unless we do something NOW!

As always - you comments, your feedback, your input IS wanted folks - without your participation my ramblings are just one person's view and I truly want to represent the Canadian rider as much as possible.

In other News - one of my favorite motorcycle/romance/fiction authors - Adelle Laudan is hosting a FREE Read on her web site! It is entitled - Solidarity. Join here on her web site to read this short story for FREE! http://adellelaudan.com/

The CAV are expecting a huge turn out of up to 3,000 for their run this weekend
The “Highway of Heroes” in Ontario that honours Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan is getting a B.C. extension.

On Woodstock ON. the Comrades MC raised $4,080 for Wounded Warriors

If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, PLEASE - Ride like everyone around you is blind and IS out to get you - ride Proud not Loud !

Belt Drive Betty

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

Contact Me

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

A Busy news day that sees more potential for more noise bylaws in Canadian cities

If you ride in Winnipeg be forewarned that the city is looking hard at what Edmonton is doing.

Every community has show offs and attention seekers. There are guys with chipped up diesel trucks, truck drivers who drive through cities with their Jacobs brakes on, import cars with boom box stereos that vibrate the windows right out of your house and then there are buses, ambulances with sirens blaring, fire and police...sound pollution/noise pollution is a HUGE issue.

Noise is an issue - a health and a quality of life issue. Motorcycles are being singled out and targeted because of those in our community who sadly think it is their right to be as loud and obnoxious as possible. We are treated like we are all members of the Hells Angels and are like them in that we are a highly visible minority that is easy to single out and target.

My opinion is not always the most popular one. There are many that think I am too outspoken and too obnoxious for words BUT from my experience the riders who don't like the way I think or the things I have to say are generally the offenders, the one's who do their level best to screw everything up for the rest of us who just want to ride without being singled out or hassled.

My bike has stock pipes for a reason - three actually... One - I do not wish to be hassled by the police services - I just want to ride. Two, I ride an H-D these days, Milwaukee makes a pretty bomb proof engine and if you don't mess with it, it runs just fine with very little issues, and three - it's a 96 inch - I can if I decide to speed, get just as many ticket as the next guy/gal. Fact of the matter is, since I don't race, Canadian roads really don't offer up a place that I can use the horsepower of anything bigger so why bother? It's an expense I don't need - I would rather put that money in to a holiday and create some riding memories for when I am 110 and can't ride any more.

People - it is long since past the time we start policing our community. If we took some action as individuals we might actually get some consideration as a community when it comes to being heard out by city councils etc but until we start looking after our own crap - someone else is going to do it for us. That some one else is the police and whether we think it is fair or not - WE have created the situation by either egging on the person who feels the need to do a burn out in a public parking lot, or by shaking out heads and walking away with out having told the person that they were ruining it for the rest of us.

We complacent Canadian riders are just as responsible for these bylaws that are now restricting us as anyone else in the equation is. Don't blame the police or the counselors who are tired of getting complaints from their constituents about the noise our community makes - blame the right people, our fellow motorcyclist who feels the need to rip it up with that right hand. That person who is so selfish that they feel theirs is the only "right" that matters. They are the problem and until we deal with them - well, we will continue to be a target.

As always, I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback - with out your involvement I am just another hack writer with a two bit opinion.

In the news today:

Winnipeg is watching the Edmonton Motorcycle Noise Bylaw

Rene Cormier gets an award in New York City

Producer/Band Member Daniel Lanois is in critical condition after a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles.

In The West Kootenay's they are gearing up for ticket sales on their motorcycle lottery and getting things ramped up for their toy run.

In Ontario the wife of a motorcycle accident victim speaks out about her husband.

In BC - another man with a 50 year driving ban is arrested for riding a stolen motorcycle.

As always there is much more in the latest news over on www.beltdrivebetty.com there are some other accident reports, motorcycle reviews and event stories today so come on over and check us out.

We are running some auctions for F.I.R.R.E. on our Facebook group page - come join us or better yet, sign up to become a member of F.I.R.R.E. at www.firre.ca
We need people on our Injured Riders Committee, Rights Committee and our Education Committee - come and get involved in improving the lot for motorcycling in Canada - we'd love to have chapters right across this fine country of ours!

If you are blessed to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind AND OUT TO GET YOU! And please, Ride Proud not Loud - save those pipes for when they count and can help protect you like when someone drifts in to your lane. Stay safe out there folks!

Belt Drive Betty

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

Contact Me

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Final leg home

Well folks, although it was pouring rain I had another successful day of sales on the road. Cycle Works West in Parkland County just outside of Edmonton is now a partner as is Electric Rodeo in Spruce Grove and the Rivers Pub in the Quality Inn in Whitecourt.

I also took some time to meet the boys from Wild Horse Leathers on Highway 16 west of the City (between RR 33 & 34) Talented guys when it comes to lacing leather - I have only ever seen one guy whose work is as tight and fine and that would be Snake in Prince George. The boys at Wild Horse however do mainly hand stitching for seams etc no awl used - hence their work is very "tough"

Interesting stuff - if you are looking for a unique gift, custom saddle bags, tool pouches or purses - these gents have some cool stuff to see and they take custom orders

It rained so hard between Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt that I called it a day and stayed at the Quality Inn in Whitecourt. When a bike is beginning to hydroplane from so much water it is time to quit.

After a good meal and a great visit with Papa George, I went to my room and slept hard.

I am late getting up but I guess that after 10 days on the road and working stupid hours I am entitled to a sleep in.

In the news:
Tragic news in St Albert as a local couple is killed in an accident - Ed and Diane Rensch were killed when a vehicle allegedly turned left in front of them.

An Ontario rider was charged when his motorcycle was clocked doing 205 KPH

Also in Ontario a rider is dead after a crash with a vehicle.

In Cape Breton the rider who was killed on Saturday has been identified

The Saskatchewan Rough Riders are pretty happy with their new Triumph Theme Bike.

And the New Zero S gets critiqued

As always - I love your input and feedback - I can't get better at what I do unless you talk to me!

If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and out to get you and please ride Proud not Loud.

Belt Drive Betty

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

Contact Me

Monday, June 07, 2010

What an incredible turn out

Well folks, the eigth edition of the Redwater Ride for Hunger is over and what a HUGE success. Lisa Dakus who took care of vendors and prizes did an incredible job of making sure there was lots for riders to see and do - Fort McMurray and the gang from Northern Comfort kept us all entertained with some phenomenal music and of course Deputy Mayor Connie made sure that everyone knew what was going on.

It is estimated by some that as many as 1300 bikes graced my home town! I believe it too as I know how many bikes went by me and that there were bikes parked not just down main street but in the show n shine, and circling one entire block. I wished I could have gone up in the picker basket to get pictures from above but as I was working alone in the booth getting out to go have a bathroom break was a hard enough task.

I had a vest that was donated by TJ and The Bear Biker Wear in Spruce Grove - I was hitting people up for their change and in return giving them a slip of paper to have their name drawn for the vest. $170 was raised for F.I.R.R.E. and Dusty from Tow Guys Who Like to Ride Meet Up group won and it fit him perfectly!

I also handed out over 200 phone books and talked to a ton of riders - it was like old home week!

I love the Redwater Ride for Hunger - not just because it is the closest thing to a home town that I can claim but because the event is well done and so many good people come out to support it and I just happen to know a good chunk of those good people!

We signed up 4 new business partners too:
Pointe West Honda - Edmonton
TJ & The Bear Biker Wear - Spruce Grove
Kicks Bar & Grill - Redwater
Noreen & friends Diner - Redwater

Saturday's Coyote Run in Chipman was a great event too for a first time event - I had to leave before the riders came back from the 250 KM poker run but none the less - 100 or so riders made for a pretty good showing! I met hubby up at Time Machine in Edmonton where he dropped off his bike to be dynoed and diagnosed and then he and I took care of some other things that had to be looked after.
Thanks to Dusty and the gang from Two Guys Who Like to Ride Meet Up Group for inviting me to tag along!

Man I live a blessed life!
Good friends fill my life - thanks to Alanna & Kent for putting me up in Hinton, Kat & Glen for putting me up in St Albert and Doug Blackie & Sandra Tyacke for putting me up in Leduc. Joe & Trudy in Morinville and to all of the good people I was blessed to ride with, this has just been an incredible trip.

If not for the incredible friends I have I could not do what I do so easily!

In the news today:

In Ontario over 1000 riders Honor our heroes.

In BC riders rode in support of finding a cure for and early detection of prostate cancer.

And an Ontario man is dead and his passenger is in critical condition after an accident in Bellville - prayers are being asked for.

If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind ans can not see you - IS out to get you and please ride proud NOT loud - save those pipes for when they count - in traffic when someone tires to invade your space.

Belt Drive Betty

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education