Belt Drive Betty's Blog

So how fast is too fast?

Belt Drive 11 Motorcycle Awareness, Motorcycle Community 6:05 AM

In light of a spate of motorcycle crashes that have involved high speed and some rather high profile motorcycle impoundments and costly tickets I feel the need to ask how fast is fast enough... 
 
I have in, days gone by, been heavy footed/heavy handed depending on the vehicle I am driving...on the advice of my dad I started hanging out at the drag strips as a young person because I wanted to go fast...When we are young we tend to think we are invincible and even as we get older sometimes we allow the pressures around us to affect our driving/riding. 
 
I get that -  And no - none of us is perfect...far from it... 
I love to cruise - I love the feel of the wind on my face, buffeting my body and moving my soul. 
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But 160 through town? Through construction zones?</div>
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Really? Is that appropriate? Or safe? I won't even ask about smart.</div>
 
On September 3rd the tally for fatal motorcycle accidents  in Canada stood at 131, but since then there have been at least 4 more fatal accidents that I am aware of. 
 
Somewhere a mom is burying her son or her daughter, somewhere a dad is wishing he could talk to his kid. Somewhere a sister or brother is missing her brother/sister, a wife or husband is missing their spouse - a child their father or mother and why? 
 
Because they rear ended another vehicle going too fast, or took a ramp too fast or a corner too fast or they became a statistic because of a rider or driver doing those and other unsafe behaviours. 
 
 
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Excessive speed kills - not just when you are on a motorcycle but in any vehicle.</div>
 
If a deer or moose comes out of the bush...when you're on the highway... 
If a child comes out between two vehicles while you are in town... 
If a construction worker is moving equipment/pipe or lumber across the road - what do you do? 
 
How do you stop?  
 
Who or what do you take out? 
 
Years ago, I had a boyfriend who really liked to drink and he rode like an idiot - 200 KPH on his Suzuki down gravel roads - that sorta shyte - a real adrenaline junky. He was the exact same way in his truck - he thought he was the BEST driver/rider ever. 
 
He and I had a number of heated debates over his driving both in a vehicle and on a bike. 
At the end of it all I realized that no matter how wonderful on so many other levels this man was - and he was...you just can't fix hard headed or stupid. 
Or an addict - and he was addicted to booze and adrenaline rushes. 
 
He lost his license for dangerous driving, then lost it for drunk driving and last I had seen him he was driving suspended...some people sadly just do not have any regard for themselves much less anyone around them. How many just like him are there out there? 
 
The sad truth is - is that these are the people that tarnish and hurt our community because they are far more visible when they are on their bike.  These adrenaline junkies who have NO concept of anything else beyond the next thrill, the next challenge and while in certain circumstances in life that is a plus - when it comes to operating a motor vehicle - of ANY kind - it is a recipe for disaster waiting for Murphy to bake it up. 
 
Or it belongs on the track. 
 
Too bad none of these people will ever read the words I lay down here -  or heed the advice of the people who love them. Too bad they will most likely become a statistic or cause one and it is too bad that in too many cases these are the type of people who make our community a target for the police services and for John and Joan Q Public to vilify and despise. 
 
Like always - I welcome your comments and feed back - PLEASE remember it is only through honest and open dialogue that we will ever find common ground or empathy. 
It is the only way to become a strong and united community. 
 
In the News Today: 
 
A Saskatoon SK <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7164-saskatoon-motorcyclist-faces-hefty-fine-for-speeding">rider's pockets are going </a>to be a whole lot lighter... 
 
 
In <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/bc-news/293-motorcycle-television/7162-pedestrian-struck-by-motorcycle">Vernon BC a pedestrian is lucky </a>to be alive after a motorcycle runs over him... 
 
In Surrey BC a rider <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7161--police-investigating-fatal-motorcycle-crash-a-surrey-motorcycle-rider-is-dead-after-an-early-morning-crash-in-milner-">is dead after failing to</a> negotiate a curve. 
 
In the lower mainland of <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/bc-news/293-motorcycle-television/7157-rcmp-have-seized-the-harleys-of-two-full-patch-hells-angels-after-they-allegedly-raced-across-the-lower-mainland-at-speeds-of-up-to-160-kilometres-an-hour">BC two riders lost their motorcycles </a>- each for a week PLUS they are each getting huge fines...they are charged under the excessive speed act. 
 
In the US - a young man has developed a <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7153-student-builds-solar-motorcycle-launches-club-to-push-more-electric-vehicle-breakthroughs">solar powered motorcycle.</a> 
 
Also in the US - <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7163-lawmakers-question-motorcycle-checkpoints-congressmen-ask-to-suspend-nhtsa-program">the NHTSA is being asked to stop Motorcycle ONLY Check Stops.</a> 
 
I hope and pray that if you are riding today you will Ride defensively, ride your own ride - do NOT let peer pressure get the best of you...Ride like everyone around you is BLIND, has an UNSAFE load and IS out to get you and please - ride Proud not Loud - invest in a 140 DB Air horn instead! AND CHECK YOUR TIRES AGE - AND YOUR TIRE PRESSURES DAILY!!!! 
 
If you are attending any of the toy runs or end of the season runs - PLEASE be safe you lucky dogs and take a bug or two for me - my ride won't be home until next week - (I hope it comes home then...) 
 
 
 
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So how fast is too fast?

Belt Drive 11 Motorcycle Awareness, Motorcycle Community 6:05 AM

In light of a spate of motorcycle crashes that have involved high speed and some rather high profile motorcycle impoundments and costly tickets I feel the need to ask how fast is fast enough... I have in, days gone by, been heavy footed/heavy handed … Read more »

02Oct2010

Equipment Safety, Videos & Bicycles

Belt Drive 2 Law & Politics, Motorcycle Community, Rider Safety, Safe Driving 7:05 AM

The news is filled with a number of things I think we need to be looking at seriously. Safety, Safety - Laws and Safety... 
 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7133-road-tests-raising-alarm-about-safety-of-lift-axle-semi-trailers-">First on the agenda is an article about Lift Axles on semi trucks.</a> A lift axle is exactly what it means - and it saves trucking companies money on fuel and wear and tear because when it is not needed to support a load it can be lifted off the ground and saving tires etc. However, after a few accidents with motorcycles RCMP Cpl. Barry Red Iron, the RCMP's forensic collision re-constructionist for southern Alberta discovered that some of these trailers are making the stopping distances of these units double the norm. 
 
The test results are scary and the Alberta government has had the information in their hand since May and done nothing about it - but this is not just an Alberta safety issue - it is a Canadian safety issue. The manufacturers of these trailers and axle systems need to address these safety concerns because one accident is one too many. 
 
The next issue is - I think that Governor Arnold - the Terminator needs to be terminated. He is living his movies and their futuristic crap now in his office as governor.... 
After signing the noise law in California for Motorcycles he decided to sign a bill allowing<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7126-schwarzenegger-signs-bill-allowing-video-recording-devices-on-vehicle-windshields"> manufacturers to put video cameras in the windshields of vehicles</a>. Now - trucking and courier companies think this is great as do insurance companies cause these cameras will be able to tell if YOU are the reason for an accident. The police like it cause they can tell how you were driving before an infraction took place. Yes there is now virtually no place in the world that you are going to be able to go were big brother won't be able to tell what you have done - we have officially become a baby sitting state. Think about this you who text and drive - your behaviours will be caught on film and you will NOT get away with killing someone because of your addiction to texting...hmmm maybe this is not such a bad thing after all.... 
 
I was wondering how many other baby boomer's remember having to take a road test and having to have a license plate on your bicycle? I am not sure when they got away from that practise but I remember as a kid in Yorkton SK that we had to have a license and we had to take a test to ensure we knew the rules of the road. 
Well, whenever it was - some one named Don Cayo has finally started asking the question - <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7131-is-it-time-to-require-bicycle-licences-and-insurance-">Is it Time to start requiring bicycle licenses and insurance?</a> 
 
I have been saying that for a long time - I resent - hugely that those who ride bicycles think that they can ride anywhere they want and mow people down. 
 
Our street here in Grande Prairie now has a bicycle path on the road but 90% of the jerks who ride bicycles still use the side walk and they do not care who they push out of the way be you 90 and using a walker or 30 pushing a baby carriage. 
 
I watch these people and marvel at how there are not more serious accidents involving bicycles - they NEVER signal - I don't think most of them know how. They seldom stop for lights, they climb the side walk if they are on the road and use the cross walk - and these people do not seem to realize that they are supposed to walk their bike across the intersection if using a crosswalk. 
 
Yes - in my humble opinion - it is long since past time when we should be requiring a license, plates and insurance on these conveyances - if they are going to use the road ways and we are going to make special places for them to ride then they need to be sharing the costs of road infrastructure the same as every vehicle driver. They MUST learn to obey the law and not think they are above it and they must carry insurance so that if they mow some one down and injure them that the injured have some repercussions - also drunk driving laws should apply to these riders as well - here in Grande Prairie there is a core group of alcoholics and street people who ride bicycles and their dangerous behaviors have come close to causing accidents that vehicle drivers should not be having to try and dodge. 
 
Well folks - that's my grousing and grumbling done for the day. As always I welcome your feed back and comments - it is ONLY through honest dialogue that we will ever learn empathy. 
 
In the News Today: 
In Ontario - <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7120-the-party-continues">Bike nights are continuing at the Big M</a> 
                   Don Norris weighs in on the proposed<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7122-says-innocent-will-suffer-with-motorcycle-bylaw-"> Caledon Motorcycle Noise Bylaw</a> 
                   An 82 year old <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7129-keswick-man-involved-in-waterford-womans-death">Keswick man has been charged</a> with careless driving in the death of a lady rider. 
                   The <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7130-motorcycle-ride-for-dad-a-huge-success-">Niagara Chapter of Ride for Dad</a> is very pleased with the success of their first ride. 
 
In Alberta - an alleged <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7125-crash-sends-one-man-to-hospital">speeding rider crashed in southern AB</a> and is in hospital after surgery. 
 
In Saskatchewan -<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7128--woman-30-charged-in-motorcycle-vs-vehicle-collision-"> a woman has been charged for failing to</a> make a safe left hand turn in a crash that sent a     32 year old rider to hospital in Regina. 
 
I BC - A <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7132-rego-knows-how-to-ride">29 year old Kitimat rider has surprised</a> many in the recent Enduro races. 
 
I hope and pray that if you are riding today you will Ride defensively, ride your own ride - do NOT let peer pressure get the best of you...Ride like everyone around you is BLIND, has an UNSAFE load and IS out to get you and please - ride Proud not Loud - invest in a 140 DB Air horn instead! AND CHECK YOUR TIRES AGE - AND YOUR TIRE PRESSURES DAILY!!!! 
 
 
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Equipment Safety, Videos & Bicycles

Belt Drive 2 Law & Politics, Motorcycle Community, Rider Safety, Safe Driving 7:05 AM

The news is filled with a number of things I think we need to be looking at seriously. Safety, Safety - Laws and Safety... First on the agenda is an article about Lift Axles on semi trucks. A lift axle is exactly what it means - and it saves trucking… Read more »

30Sep2010

Hold on to your tempers and your wallets folks - this is gonna get ugly!

Belt Drive 0 Law & Politics, Motorcycle Community 7:00 AM

One thing I know for sure, the motorcycle manufacturers and the after market exhaust industry just took a hit of epic proportions in the US. 
 
Motorcyclist and governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7108-schwarzenegger-tells-motorcyclists-to-pipe-down-signs-noise-bill"> signed a new Motorcycle Exhaust Anti Tampering Law which enforces a 27 year old law that is on the books in the US.</a> 
 
80 decibels folks - that is it, that is all and if you do not have the EPA sticker you will be cited. 
 
Now, as many here are aware - we in Canada do not write most of our laws but simply adopt them from the US - predominantly from California. This J2825 that the US MIC and the Canadian counter part the MMIC have been pushing as a potential standard was looked over and passed over by the California Governor in favour of the harsher and easier to enforce SB435. The other noise and emissions laws in California are just as harsh: <a href="http://www.racingbeat.com/emissions.htm">http://www.racingbeat.com/emissions.htm</a> 
 
All you dudes and dudettes who feel that having ear splitting pipes is the answer to your safety get ready - as a general rule it takes 5 years for California law to make its way here.  
 
Had the rude, the selfish and the inconsiderate been policed in this country and elsewhere - had the biker community not gotten so big so fast and had we acted like bikers and policed ourselves we would not be in this boat. 
 
The surest way to safety always has been and always will be learning to ride in a defencive way - adding an air horn may also help. 
 
Beyond that get ready - because like it or not - California EPA laws will become the norm here the way have in the past. If you want a modified exhaust in the future it will need to be EPA approved just like it is in the states.... 
 
The Federal Law in Canada is already harsher that the Edmonton bylaw - but unlike the Edmonton bylaw it is all encompassing. 
 
In Edmonton - if you want to staunch the flow of anti motorcycle sentiment  - watch for updates from Liane Langlois as she has sent out questionnaires to all of the Mayoral candidates to find out where they stand on a number of issues and once those answers come in she will have a candidate that she will recommend all motorcyclists look seriously at voting for! 
 
As always, your feed back and in put are wanted and welcome. It is only through honest and open dialogue that we will ever get anywhere. 
 
In the News today: 
In Windsor Ontario the MS ride hosted by the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7111-ride-for-ms-huge-success">Lone Wolf Clubhouse was a huge success</a> 
 
For Sons of Anarchy Fans - <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7110-jax-takes-on-his-canadian-mission">Jax has a Canadaian mission.</a> 
 
In Saskatoon SK <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7109-man-charged-following-collision-investigation">a rider was charged after a collision </a> 
 
Also in Saskatchewan a <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7107-motorcycle-and-van-collision">rider in Regina is in hospital after a collision with a van.</a> 
 
I hope and pray that if you are riding today you will Ride defensively, ride your own ride - do NOT let peer pressure get the best of you...Ride like everyone around you is BLIND, has an UNSAFE load and IS out to get you and please - ride Proud not Loud - invest in a 140 DB Air horn instead! AND CHECK YOUR TIRES AGE - AND YOUR TIRE PRESSURES DAILY!!!! 
 
 
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Belt Drive Betty </div>
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<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.canadianriders.ca/">www.canadianriders.ca</a></div>
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National VP of Marketing</div>
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Hold on to your tempers and your wallets folks - this is gonna get ugly!

Belt Drive 0 Law & Politics, Motorcycle Community 7:00 AM

One thing I know for sure, the motorcycle manufacturers and the after market exhaust industry just took a hit of epic proportions in the US. Motorcyclist and governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a new Motorcycle Exhaust Anti Tampering … Read more »

29Sep2010

131 Motorcycle Deaths and counting so far in 2010

Belt Drive 1 Community, In the News, The Busted Knuckle Chronicles 7:16 AM

I thought last year was a bad year in my community with 118 deaths but 2010 gets to go on the record as one of the worst - ever. 131 families - minimum that will never be the same - thousands of friends and families filled with grief and sadness. The information comes from the blog <a href="http://www.educationforthedrivingmasses.com/">Education for the Driving Masses</a> 
 
Now folks, I get a lot of flack because I own the Busted Knuckle Chronicles Newspaper and as the editor of the newspaper I am pretty outspoken. I work at getting people to wade in on topics that need attention - I work hard at presenting all sides of the various contentious issues even though I have strong personal opinions. I am passionate and enthusiastic and as such sometimes I scare or piss people off. 
 
Recently, because of my involvement with some rider charities - I have been accused of being self serving - well guess what I AM. 
 
As a person who rides a motorcycle and just happens to own a newspaper that serves up information to motorcyclists I ALWAYS have three reasons for supporting my community: 
 
<ol>
<li>I am a biker and it is important to me to support my community - that was why I started the Busted Knuckle - because we had no place to get the word out about what was happening in our community.</li>
<li>I am a newspaper owner and readership is important to me - making sure that readership has quality information that is relevant to their days and their lives is important to me.</li>
<li>I love helping people - PERIOD.</li>
</ol>
Why do other small businesses sponsor events and donate prizes? 
Why do other small business owners become volunteers in their communities? 
 
I am sick and tired of defending myself to the narrow minded few who think they have a right to judge me. Let your actions speak for you instead of pointing your fingers and delivering knocks to those who do something. 
 
Where are you when a rider needs help - are you being active and helping? 
If so way to go. If not - why not? 
 
What have you ever done to support the rider community or lifestyle? 
Have you volunteered, donated - gotten involved in any way? If so fabulous - if not why not? 
 
It is because of a few people who like to complain, whine and snivel that those who work hard with only the best of intention get fed up, discouraged and quit helping. It is because of those who spend their energy bitching instead of working to affect change that those who work hard finally get fed up, burn out and give up. 
 
I have been bashed and judged harshly of late because of my personal views. 
There are those who feel that I should not be entitled to feel anger or to express it. 
To feel frustration or disappointment and express it. 
 
There are those in this community who would like to see Belt Drive Betty and the Busted Knuckle go away - but if that happened who would take up the causes of the rider community? Would you? Could You? 
 
Who would replace the Busted Knuckle in giving 300 charitable events free advertising every year? Who would give this community a place to share its stories and come together? 
Who would build and donate web sites to those groups that need a helping hand for their worthy causes? 
 
I am no saint but I am no villain either. I am a rider who has a small business and who has made it her mission in life to pay it forward and to live and walk the biker life style the way I have for over 35 years. To be blunt and straight forward - and tell it like I see and feel it. I am BIKER through and through. Right or wrong - I walk the path I believe in - the path of a BIKER. If I am a success - If I make money - it means YOUR community - should you choose to use our FREE services - has a place to promote itself. The more I get coming in - the more I am willing to give. That is just who I am. 
 
I have put the resources I have built up with he help of a few people who share my vision of a strong and united community at this community's disposal. If you are not represented - if your charity  or community is not represented it is NOT a statement against me or my commitment to the community - it is not represented because I can not promote or support what I do not know about. 
 
I am able to give back and do what I do because I have advertisers who are of like mind - they want to do business with riders and they believe in the lifestyle and want to support it. 
 
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We are ALL SELF SERVING - we only get involved in things that mean something to us.</div>
 
Some days I wonder why I keep taking the abuse and harsh treatment and then someone like Rick Kunto emails me thanking me for helping get his family's message out. Or a rider who needs help or a charity that needs a place for their voice to be heard emails me and I can let go of the hurt and frustration. 
 
131 deaths - one of the reasons I am a founding member of F.I.R.R.E. - I wanted to reach out and help those whose lives are altered and hearts are hurt. 
 
My daughter was a recipient of the assistance provided by the Toys for Tots group in the North Okanagan - hence why when toy runs are happening I always give them FREE advertising. Hence why I now have a meeting with our mayor and the RCMP here in Grande Prairie over the disaster our Toy Run Parade was on the weekend. 
 
My dad died of undiagnosed prostate cancer - hence why I support the Motorcycle Ride for Dad - A Police Services sanctioned event. 
 
My auntie has Breast Cancer and other women I have loved are either survivors of or have lost their fight with it - hence why I support Flo and the Women Who Ride Conga for Breast Cancer and the gals of the Breast Ride ever. 
 
I am deeply appreciative of my eye sight hence why I sponsor the Ride for Sight. 
 
I have friends who have Diabetes hence why I support the various Diabetes causes. 
 
I have been a Little Warrior hence why I support sexual abuse causes. 
 
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Am I and the Busted Knuckle self serving? </div>
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 </div>
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DAMNED STRAIGHT and it is not going to change any time soon so get over it.</div>
 
I do my best to be a voice for motorcyclists - for the under dog and I do my best to provide a place for others to have their voice be heard. 
 
The next time you or your riding club or group goes and seeks out sponsors - ask yourself: 
why is this person sponsoring us - you will find the answers are simple and totally self serving: 
<ol>
<li>They believe in or have been touched by the cause - they have a personal connection to it.</li>
<li>They see it as being good for their community and their business - there are no other reasons.</li>
</ol>
We are all - every one of us - self serving.  
Admit it, grow up and get over yourself. 
If you aren't part of the solution - In My HUMBLE Opinion - you are part of the problem 
 
As with every day - I appreciate your feed back and invite you to share your thoughts and points of view - it is in sharing that we become strong and united. 
 
In the news today: 
In Ontario: <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7090-i-dont-regret-a-moment">A young rider looses his life</a> 
                <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7093--police-seek-witnesses-in-serious-motorcycle-collision"> Police are seeking witnesses to a serious motorcycle crash</a> 
                <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7094-motorcyclist-passenger-badly-hurt-in-rosedale-crash">In Toronto a rider and his passenger are seriously hurt </a> 
 
 
In BC: <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7091-senior-ticketed-following-crash">A driver is charged in a fatal crash</a> 
 
In Alberta: <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7082-motorcyle-crash-near-priddis">There was a crash near Priddis involving a female rider</a> 
 
For all the other news of the day visit <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> - as news comes in we do our best to make sure you know about it. 
 
I hope and pray that if you are riding today you will Ride defensively, ride your own ride - do NOT let peer pressure get the best of you...Ride like everyone around you is BLIND, has an UNSAFE load and IS out to get you and please - ride Proud not Loud - invest in a 140 DB Air horn instead! AND CHECK YOUR TIRES AGE - AND YOUR TIRE PRESSURES DAILY!!!! 
 
 
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Belt Drive Betty </div>
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131 Motorcycle Deaths and counting so far in 2010

Belt Drive 1 Community, In the News, The Busted Knuckle Chronicles 7:16 AM

I thought last year was a bad year in my community with 118 deaths but 2010 gets to go on the record as one of the worst - ever. 131 families - minimum that will never be the same - thousands of friends and families filled with grief and sadness. The… Read more »

28Sep2010

Will the upcoming elections change the political landscape?

Belt Drive 0 Law & Politics 7:17 AM

I read with much interest this morning the comments from Mayoral candidates in Edmonton about their stance on the Motorcycle Noise bylaw. <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7077-motorcycle-noise-bylaw-live-issue-this-election">Most seemed to feel that it was ill conceived</a> - at least that was my take on what I read. However only one seemed to convey that reviewing it would be a priority with him - Mr. David Dorward.  While Lori Jeffery-Heaney says she thinks riders are unfairly targeted changing or reviewing the bylaw is not high on her priority list. 
 
I am happy to hear and be able to report that the Edmonton City Police stayed away from the fish barrel called the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7068-27th-annual-motorcycle-toy-run-for-630cheds-santas-anonymous-">Edmonton Toy Run and that 2500- 3500 riders</a> - depending on who supplied the stats - showed up in spite of the fear that they could be ticketed. My community is the BEST - we are capable of putting the cause ahead of ourselves and that is a pretty rare thing I think! WAY TO GO EDMONTON RIDERS! 
 
Sadly - that was NOT the case here in Grande Prairie where the RCMP decided to hold a road block at the entrance to Muskoseepi Park - the head of the parade. They made it untenable.... and now we have other issues to deal with - they are not clear cut issues either and it is not going to be so easy to find out what side of the fence Mayoral candidates are on either. 
At the toy run here, the talk amongst many riders was that the RCMP actually run the town and no one knows why we pay a Mayor or the Aldermen/Councillors. Perhaps they are right - perhaps not, it is an issue that a few of us intend to try to unearth the truth of. All this writer knows right now is that there is a lot of frustration and disappointment in this community. 
 
Lethbridge and Medicine Hat had wonderful support from their local constabulary - Red Deer still struggles with the RCMP who will not support the event from what I have been told. 
 
Prince George's Toy Run was a huge success and reportedly there were no issues with the police there - I have also had reports out of Regina and Saskatoon that again - there were no challenges and lots of great support. I haven't heard from Winnipeg or Brandon - Ontario has reported really favourably from a number of places. Sadly Montreal and Quebec city have had some issues not unlike Grande Prairie's (I call it the fish bowl syndrome) and Cape Breton is telling me that their police services are amazingly supportive for anything the riding community hosts. 
 
What do you think it is going to take before motorcyclists get organized and start to affect change in a thoughtful, long lasting and measured way? We have it happening in pockets - how can we make it a tidal wave across the country? 
 
Right across this country municipal elections are upon us. Right across this country there are business people and politicians that ride motorcycles. What is it going to take for us as a community to take a stand - to create a really good solid and logical platform that addresses the needs of not only our community but all communities and get out there as a group to affect change? Logic and balance need to be applied here... 
 
We will have national elections coming soon and NOW would be the time to consider starting our own political party. What could the name be? Who should we be approaching in each province to represent our interests?  
 
If you look at the Muslim community in Canada and how many Muslims are in politics here and how they have managed to change the landscape of Canadian politics - they are about 750K strong - and the motorcycle community is about 600K -  it makes one realize WE DO have the ability to change the political landscape - the only question is do we have the heart? There is power in numbers - so when you think to yourself I am one person how can I change things - be one person who joins a group that lobbies to affect change - join your one voice with the voice of another until we are the voices of many. 
 
It is only through your participation that anything will ever change - it is only by voting, by working diligently to make a difference that a difference can be made.<a href="http://www.firre.ca/"> F.I.R.R.E.</a> is a group that although new is already beginning to affect change and create a positive movement for riders to support each other and their communities. Joining the<a href="http://www.firre.ca/"> Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education </a>might be the right thing for you to do - come check us out to find out! 
<h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">
F.I.R.R.E.'s First Annual General Meeting for October 3, 2010 
at the Carstairs Community Hall - 1100 Lackner Way in Carstairs AB.                  Meeting will begin at 2 pm.</h3>
 
 
 
I personally have been writing letters to the <a href="http://beltdrivebetty.blogspot.com/2010/09/road-side-justicebeing-human-balancing.html">Solicitor General, The Justice Minister here in Alberta</a> over the sentence handed to the woman who killed Terry Kunto in Calgary last year. 
 
I have written to our mayor here in Grande Prairie to ask for clarification over the events that took place during the Toy Run - If I get any responses I will let you know but in the mean time if you - no matter where you live in Canada - add your voice and questions to mine we can get answers and we can take action. <a href="http://beltdrivebetty.blogspot.com/2010/09/persecution-of-bikerriderenthusiast.html">Click this line to read yesterday's Blog Post</a> complete with videos on what happened here in GP - and here is the mayor's email addy: dlogan@cityofgp.com if you would like to express your concerns as either a citizen of Grande Prairie or as a potential tourist/visitor to GP. 
 
 
We are far from powerless - and if we unite we CAN make a difference - one person joining another, who then joins with another - eventually when we have the support of 5 or 600K people we WILL be taken seriously - so don't think you are powerless - you are so much more powerful than you realize! 
 
As with every day - if you have an idea, an opinion - please wade in on the topic - we all learn and become better rounded people when we share ideas and thoughts! 
 
In the News today: 
 
In <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7069-motorcyclist-killed-south-of-exeter">Ontario a 24 year old rider</a> was killed and the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7074-obriens-traffic-roadmap">Mayor of Ottawa intends to make Ottawa </a>more rider friendly... 
 
In Manitoba <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7070-noise-level-checks-help-motorcyclists-avoid-a-ticket-">the police are volunteering to test you bike for noise</a> to help you avoid a ticket... 
 
In <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/7078-santa-leads-annual-toy-run">Prince George BC Santa</a> lead the way during the Toys for Tots Parade. 
 
I hope and pray that if you are riding today you will Ride defensively, ride your own ride - do NOT let peer pressure get the best of you...Ride like everyone around you is BLIND, has an UNSAFE load and IS out to get you and please - ride Proud not Loud - invest in a 140 DB Air horn instead! AND CHECK YOUR TIRES AGE - AND YOUR TIRE PRESSURES DAILY!!!! 
 
 
 
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Will the upcoming elections change the political landscape?

Belt Drive 0 Law & Politics 7:17 AM

I read with much interest this morning the comments from Mayoral candidates in Edmonton about their stance on the Motorcycle Noise bylaw. Most seemed to feel that it was ill conceived - at least that was my take on what I read. However only one seeme… Read more »

27Sep2010

The Persecution of the Biker/Rider/Enthusiast Lifestyle...

Belt Drive 1 AB, Canadian Riders, riding community 7:32 AM

I hope you have a cup of Biker Coffee Company Coffee in your hand and have tinkled - cause you are gonna be here a while - because I have a LOT to say today. 
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Remember - I don't generally blog on the weekend so you know I am STEAMED!</div>
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Folks, here in the province of Alberta and in this magnificent country called Canada it is time for a whole bunch of people who ride motorcycles to take a thoughtful, measured and tactical approach to changing the political landscape of our communities. 
 
We have a trend happening, a nasty trend and if anyone thinks I am pushing a panic button or being a chicken little - I am hoping that you will have a change of heart when you watch the videos I have here and read what I have to say - I hope you will at least consider the fact that I COULD be right... 
 
We have had, for a long time, a small number of bad apples that have put us where we are. 
We now have noise bylaws springing up everywhere that are targeted at motorcycles ONLY and not holding the other automotive communities to the same standard. 
We have a mind set of discrimination and harassment in our political houses and our law enforcement agencies. 
 
If you look south of the border you will see that our brothers and sisters are fighting, on many fronts, the same fights we are. There are communities and places that DO NOT want us or our lifestyle anywhere near them and their lifestyle.  WHY? Because like in every other community - the BAD Apples are ruining it for the rest of us. They have been for a long time and because we got away from policing ourselves and have become so mainstream that we are scared to police ourselves - well - guess what folks - here we are with our lifestyle under siege AGAIN. 
 
Why am I on this rampage today? Well it appears that although the Grande Prairie Toys for Tots group had a parade permit (the guy organizing has been doing it for a long time now and is decent about the details - some say anal) we were not allowed - after 31 years, to run our parade like a parade in spite of having that permit.  
 
Everyone had to obey all traffic lights and stop signs. No blockers were allowed and hence there was no safety for our parade participants and the general motoring public. In fact I have the part about leaving the park and going in to the ANAVET's parking lot on video (I was not riding so I got nothing on tape about the other intersections the riders encountered but I can show you the near misses and the head ache that happened at the park and I can show you how broken up the parade was by the time it got to the end point. 
 
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cobject%20width=%22480%22%20height=%22385%22%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22movie%22%20value=%22http://www.youtube.com/v/AnxedN7j8KM?fs=1&hl=en_GB%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22allowFullScreen%22%20value=%22true%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22allowscriptaccess%22%20value=%22always%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cembed%20src=%22http://www.youtube.com/v/AnxedN7j8KM?fs=1&hl=en_GB%22%20type=%22application/x-shockwave-flash%22%20allowscriptaccess=%22always%22%20allowfullscreen=%22true%22%20width=%22480%22%20height=%22385%22%3E%3C/embed%3E%3C/object%3E"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AnxedN7j8KM?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param>
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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AnxedN7j8KM?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></a> 
 
Last year the police also hassled everyone who had anything to do with the run. 
The year before - a passenger had been killed about 4 hours AFTER our toy run - the police charged her common law husband with impaired - from what I understand that charge never went anywhere. But that isn't the point. The point is our parade was long over and we were at the hall having dinner when the accident happened - but ever since then we have been targeted during the toy run. A WHOLE community and it's charitable work has been the target of unfair, persecutory and discriminatory practises ever since. 
 
Here is what I observed at our toy run - the police claimed to not have the man power to assist with traffic control for the parade - YET - there were two female officers on foot patrol in Muskoseepi Park before the parade left and the entire time the parade was leaving the park. There was a Ford Police truck WATCHING everyone leave the park (See the white truck in the picture at the beginning of the video and then toward the end of the video) 
 
There were 4 cars/suburbans stopping ALL traffic to jack everyone for papers - the message to the general public (If those dirty bikers weren't holding a parade, we wouldn't be harassing you MS or MR car driver) 
 
Our SANTA even got jacked for his papers. 
 
Then at the end of the parade - at the ANAVET's club there was a suburban parked at the intersection across from the drive way to the club and a squad car just up the street - in the second video you can see them right at the end. But they had NO Officers to assist with the safety and protection of parade participants and the general motoring public when a valid parade license was granted... 
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_711213999"> 
</a> 
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cobject%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22385%22%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22movie%22%20value=%22http://www.youtube.com/v/bafOGpSa6lI?fs=1&hl=en_GB%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22allowFullScreen%22%20value=%22true%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22allowscriptaccess%22%20value=%22always%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cembed%20src=%22http://www.youtube.com/v/bafOGpSa6lI?fs=1&hl=en_GB%22%20type=%22application/x-shockwave-flash%22%20allowscriptaccess=%22always%22%20allowfullscreen=%22true%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22385%22%3E%3C/embed%3E%3C/object%3E"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bafOGpSa6lI?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bafOGpSa6lI?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></a> 
 
We NEED to organize - to unite - to ALL be spreading the exact same message. From Coast to Coast to Coast - we NEED to be conducting ourselves responsibly and we need to respectfully put forth a solid argument that they can not shoot holes in or twist. 
 
I hear a lot of riders say I am 100% legit, they can stop me all they want so it doesn't affect me - well guess what folks - HISTORY repeats itself time and time again and why? Because of that very attitude - it doesn't affect me TODAY, so why should I fight - well think on this... 
 
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This quotation was written  a LONG time ago and it is MORE true today than it was when it was written... </div>
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 </div>
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They came first for the Communists, 
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. 
 
Then they came for the trade unionists, 
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. 
 
Then they came for the Jews, 
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. 
 
Then they came for me 
and by that time no one was left to speak up.</div>
 
The man who wrote the quotation?  Pastor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Niem%C3%B6ller" title="Martin Niemöller">Martin Niemöller</a> (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual" title="Intellectual">intellectuals</a> following the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazism" title="Nazism">Nazi</a> rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group. (From Wikipedia) 
 
If you are not a member of the <a href="http://www.firre.ca/">Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights and Education</a> - WE NEED YOU TO BE, if you are not writing letters to the <a href="http://beltdrivebetty.blogspot.com/2010/09/plea-from-terry-kuntos-family-apology.html">Solicitor General & Justice Ministers in Alberta </a>over the fine Terry Kunto's killer got - WE NEED YOU TO BE. 
 
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If you are just "whining" or paying the topic lip service and not doing ANYTHING - will anything change? Hell NO.</div>
 
If you think for one second that none of this affects you - think again. 
When the establishment is done with us - who will be next? 
 
Time after time we riders are singled out - either because the police services or the politicians don't want us. The loud minority in the political arenas rule the roost because the silent majority is too quiet and too complacent and too self involved to get off their asses to affect change. At least that has been, until now, my experience. 
 
If you do nothing else - GET OFF YOUR ASSES and VOTE at least. If you don't vote you have no right to whine. If you don't write letters or talk to your local politicians - if you don't lend a hand and support this life style we all love so much then when it is gone - we will join the ranks of so many cultures in history that no longer exist due to discrimination and persecution or have had hundreds and thousands of years of discrimination and persecution as their lot...neither is right. 
 
So what is persecution? 
Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. The most common forms are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_persecution" title="Religious persecution">religious persecution</a>, <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_persecution" title="Ethnic persecution">ethnic persecution</a>, and <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_persecution" title="Political persecution">political persecution</a>, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms. (From Wikipedia) 
 
Mayans - The Spaniards feared the Mayans 
Jewish/Hebrew - we know what Hitler did 
Chinese - look how they were treated right here in Canada 
Japanese 
Gypsy (Romany) 
Druids 
Blacks 
Natives 
Egyptian 
Christians - at one time the most persecuted people on the earth 
 
We HAVE to start acting like bikers and have each others backs. We can go back to disliking each other as family members are want to do later, right now - we need each other and we need to look out for each other. 
 
Join <a href="http://www.firre.ca/">F.I.R.R.E.</a> - The Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education... 
 
Write to your local politicians, your ministers of justice etc - the masses may think we are NOISY but folks it is time to become LOUD in a way that it counts with united voices and ONE MESSAGE - PERSECUTION is WRONG - judge the INDIVIDUAL not the WHOLE. 
 
Fair and equitable treament  - that is what we want - that is what we deserve - that is what we are aksing for. 
 
PLEASE - PLEASE - join the movement to fair and equitable treatment - we have to be FOR something not against it... 
 
I Believe in Fair and Equitable treatment for all people - how about you? 
 
Like the Aaron Tippen song says....If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything. 
 
If you are riding in a toy run today - PLEASE ride safe - if you are considering boycotting one because of the noise laws in your area - please mail in a donation - DO NOT let the kids suffer - they are our hope and our future... 
 
AS ALWAYS - Your feedback and input on this topic or any other are ALWAYS appreciated.  
 
Belt Drive Betty

The Persecution of the Biker/Rider/Enthusiast Lifestyle...