Saturday, October 09, 2010

Bicycles, the rules of the road and the Charter of Freedoms & Rights


My girl just came back from her first round of Assistant Store Manager training for WalMart. With all the time I was on the road and her training, it's been 2 months since I had seen her and she and I are pretty close. We see each other at least three times a week. I enjoy her company and I would like to think she enjoys mine. 


Anyway, she and I went shopping for the last few things we needed for Turkey dinner over at the IGA. We stopped at the ATB for her to deposit a cheque at the drive through when she hollers and points that truck just hit someone on a bike. I look up, and see a bicycle laying on the ground and a gal sitting up but on the pavement. I run across the street and pitch in to help the rider who has a bleeding chin and is visibly in shock - the driver of the Jeep that collided with the bike is looking after the gal and I start directing traffic. 
My daughter who has first aide comes up and is on the phone with 911 and starts asking the gal who is injured some questions.

 This gal is not wearing a helmet, is wearing sandals, was riding on the sidewalk and although the light was green did not get off of her bike to walk it across the intersection.


I think it is high time people that we start applying some pressure to get bicycles and their riders licensed and insured. 

 When I was a kid we had to do a written and a practical rules of the road test before we were allowed to ride our bicycles alone. I think that we need to bring that practice back. Start teaching them in kindergarten and grade one and then test them before you let them loose. It used to cost us $10 for a two or three year license that went on the back of your bike and a paper card that you kept in your pocket that said you took the rules of the road test. Mind you that was 40 years ago too.


If you got caught riding on the sidewalk, riding across an intersection instead of walking your bike, you lost your bike to the nice police officer for a week. You also got a stern lecture by him, your tush warmed by your dad, your mother gave you the guilt trip about giving her gray hair and your teacher had to give you another test. 

 YES - this was all done through the physical education program at school.
That was in Yorkton Saskatchewan and I was 5 & 6 years old...so some of the details may be a bit off - but... imagine - if we started teaching KIDS the rules of the road again - hmm, by the time they were 16 they'd be better drivers than their parents  who are driving cars and trucks now...

 Here are some links to some resources from places like Toronto on bicycles and safety...
( http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/safety/index.htm)
The Can Bike Course:
http://www.canbike.net/cca_pages/tips-2007-03.htm
And Bike Sense from BC:
http://www.bikesense.bc.ca/ch4.htm
City of Vancouver:
http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/cycling/
Alberta Transportation:
http://www.saferoads.com/safety/educators_ebicycle.html


I have got some issues after what I witnessed today:
Firstly - the lady who was riding her bicycle on the side walk was in the wrong:
(http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90h08_e.htm#BK210 Read # 140 . 6), she was trying to cross the road while riding when indeed, sidewalks are for pedestrians. The lady whose Jeep was struck by the bicycle - how does she get compensation for the paint on her bumper to be repaired? I mean bumpers can cost $1400 or better to paint and repair so who pays for that - and don't say the driver of the Jeep's insurance or I will surely loose what's left of my mind.


Secondly - what fine do the police give the bicyclist for causing the collision and who pays for having three police cars, one ambulance and two fire trucks respond?


Thirdly - what would have happened to this gal if she would have struck her naked head harder? If because of her choice to not wear appropriate safety gear she would have been in a vegetative or coma state or become unable bodied in some way as a result - who pays her hospital bills, her physio etc? I thought this was the very reason/argument that motorcyclists had to wear helmets - because my rights end where they infringe on yours or does that rule not apply for all? If it does not apply to all, then what good is the Charter?


Fourthly - Bicyclists don't have insurance and the do not pay road use tax/license fees which means they do not contribute the maintenance of the road ways or for the fancy bike paths that are being built for them everywhere. WHY?  
One project in Vancouver alone cost $800,000 according to the Vancouver Sun.


Fifth - From everything I read and understand  a bicycle is considered a vehicle and yet their riders do not have to show their competency level to be on the road or to be tested for their knowledge the laws. Many of those who ride bicycles feel entitled to ride on both the sidewalk and roadway in many cases, which is illegal and is a known cause for collisions between vehicles and bicycles. Many ride against traffic and weave from roadway to sidewalks to avoid lights, which is considered aggressive riding.
I am personally sorely tired of the double standards there are out there and the only way we are ever going to level this particular playing field is to license them for rules of the road knowledge, register, plate and require insurance on all bicycles and their riders. 
 Voila - a brand new industry - all kinds of new jobs - wow -don't I feel good now!

 All joking aside people - do you not agree that its long since past time that people riding bicycles be forced to be equal partners in the sharing of the roadways - by being educated, licensed and insured and wearing the proper protective gear?


Ontario has readily available the fines for bicycle riders in their province - after two hours of hunting I gave up on the other provinces - here is the link for the Ontario information:
Under links on the right hand side - half way down:  
http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/index.htm



Maybe I am being over sensitive after what I witnessed today but man - I just don't really thinks so. On my street, they cut down all of our mature trees, narrowed our street and put in bike paths and I still have to share the sidewalk with those who ride bicycles - why does the law not apply to all in a fair and equitable manner?


I'm just saying....
Like everyday - I welcome your feed back and input...
It's turkey weekend here in Canada - no posts on Sunday OR Monday folks...check for the daily news at www.beltdrivebetty.com
Happy Thanksgiving and remember, to thank the good Lord for all of the bounty in your life!

Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor
www.bustedknucklenews.com
A MAX Award winning web site!
at No comments:

The Times they are a changing - LOOK OUT ONTARIO and all across Canada


Strong communities ... embrace change. 
New discoveries require us to think differently and approach things differently, 
to think anew. TOM VILSACK

 Caledon Ontario just passed their new MOTORCYCLE Noise Bylaw.  They are allowing a year for "EDUCATION" of motorcyclists before they begin ticketing but during that year they are sending a recommendation to the province of Ontario that they adopt the SAE J2825 testing format. 

 Luc Fournier, a member of the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council (MMIC), is the man who has been going across the country to jurisdictions that are facing issues and he presents the information on behalf of the MMIC as a representative for the Society for Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) J2825.

The MIC in the USA and the MMIC in Canada developed - with the Society of Automotive Engineers this testing to standardize the issue surrounding the subjective issue motorcycle noise.

 J2825 is a “professional standardized test” Fournier said, adding it consists of roadside equipment to test the motorcycles.

A standardized approach is necessary because “it’s hard to prove in court what excessive noise is” Fournier explained, adding there is currently only a “highly subjective approach”.
The city of Edmonton has now passed a bylaw dealing with motorcycle noise, but Fournier explained that “it was not an overnight process.” Before they put the bylaw in place, they allowed people with motorcycles to come and get their machines tested. 

 They expected around 100 people according to Fournier and instead got 1,100.
Some places have not passed such a bylaw, but are using the J2825 approach within their already set bylaws for noise, and “it is working,” Fournier said. From the Caledon News



 And I understand the motorcycle manufacturers and their desire to create some standards.  The motorcycle community does have some people in it that tend to be inconsiderate and heavy handed on their throttles...and from the manufacturers perspective , the more people who embrace motorcycling, the better off and the healthier their industry. 

 The challenge/fight from the rider is not about the actual desire to take away the subjective nature of the issue motorcycle noise - that is a great thing and I think most will agree with the PRINCIPAL. 

 It does take away the ability to arbitrarily decide a motorcycle is too loud by a peace or police officer. That is not a bad thing at all. 

 The bad thing is that communities are only targeting motorcycles and that makes it look like we are the only noisy  & bad citizens.  It holds our community to a higher standard than other motorists and makes us more accountable than others who use the roadways,  that is unfair and violates Chapter 15 of the Charter of Rights according to Liane Langlois.

Equality Rights


EQUALITY BEFORE AND UNDER LAW AND EQUAL PROTECTION AND BENEFIT OF LAW / Affirmative action programs. 15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.


If there ever was a time to exercise your democratic rights - now would be it.
If we educate ourselves as to the stances made by the various politicians we have a chance, a window of opportunity to change to governments and put in place people who are willing to be fair and measured in their responses.


A bylaw like this truly needs to be all encompassing.

 Barring that,  instead of being against something how about we who ride being FOR something? How about we start petitioning and pushing the local governments for some of the things WE as a motorcyclists within the community want? 

 We could start a petition for pot hole free roads. 
And one for frost heave free roads.
Another to have the noise from car stereos capped.
We could put another forth dealing with cars whose exhaust systems are "cancer-ed" out.
Then we could put forth another petition asking for diesel pick ups to have their exhaust noise limits capped.  We could ask that Jacobs Brake violation tickets be issued more frequently.

 You get the idea - instead of being against something lets put our energies behind getting what we need and want.

Give us more ideas folks...I am sure you have more than one or two in your laundry list of complaints...don't you?


Today as every day I ask you to wade in on the topic...


Belt Drive Betty
Rider &Editor
www.bustedknucklenews.com

A MAX Award winning web site!
at No comments:

Friday, October 08, 2010

Rider Support, Rider Rights and Rider Training, Education & Awareness

The title of today's blog post says it all.

 These are the reasons that Herman "Poet" Aalbers and I decided to see if we could start a group to help our community. The group was F.I.R.R.E.

 Now because I chose to speak about my personal experiences, people are leaving F.I.R.R.E. instead of working to change it and grow it.


"When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, 'Try it one more time.' "
~ Unknown

All groups go through growing pains. All groups have fights, disagreements and differences of opinions - no two people see things, read things or hear things the same way.
I have said - right from the beginning of this horrid situation that I find myself in that I BELIEVE in F.I.R.R.E. what the mission and purpose is... and that I will find my own unique way to contribute to that cause. I have said I will continue to sponsor the group and support their efforts.

All I can tell you - is that if you believe in the cause & the mission - if you read the news every day - and you can see the need that is out there...then folks - GET INVOLVED.

 Remember this: The injured rider sitting in the hospital who needs their husband or wife by their bed side...who needs money to pay for food, gas, electricity, rent or mortgage - they do not care about the petty politics - they do not care about how they got the help - they care that they get help from somewhere.

 When you have been in need, in crisis - and someone has thrown you a life line  - remember how good that felt...that is what F.I.R.R.E. was meant to do - be a life line, be a haven of relief.

 When we loose all of our freedoms and rights because there was no national organized group working to protect them...

F.I.R.R.E. is supposed to be about empathy, caring, strength and solidarity in short - COMMUNITY - FAMILY.

 Like any organization it will only be as strong and as effective as it's leadership and the members.

 F.I.R.R.E. itself is just a name - the rest - the vision, the spirit, the urgency, the compassion, the integrity MUST come from the people who make up F.I.R.R.E. 
The desire to help one's fellow rider and to protect the rights of the community needs to become so strong that nothing can shake it.
Now here are a few reasons why a group with the mission and purpose of F.I.R.R.E. is needed:

 In BC - a 43 year old Fruitvale man is dead after a collision

 In Maple Ridge BC a rider was injured in a crash.

 In Moose jaw SK a rider survived a crash

 In Ontario 5 riders have been charged with stunting and dangerous riding.

 In Caledon ON - a noise bylaw that is as discriminatory as the Edmonton Bylaw has been passed

 I leave you with this thought:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
~ Margaret Mead

 As with everything I write - I appreciate your feed back and input.

Belt Drive Betty 
at 2 comments:

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Freak Accident Kills Swiss Rocker & Controversy in Bragg Creek AB

In Las Vegas a semi lost control & slid into a motorcycle that  then hit and killed rocker Steve Lee - the front man for Gotthard. Gotthard is one of the most successful rock bands in Switzerland.

 Steve along with about 7 fellow riders had pulled over to put on rain gear when a tractor trailer unit skidded in to one of the motorcycles which hit Lee and killed him, according  to the reports it was a freak accident.  My heart and prayers go out to his family, friends and band members.

 In Bragg Creek bikers and their business are  and are NOT wanted depending on who you talk to. If you are the owner of an art gallery - they don't want you there, if you are the owner of a cafe - well they want you.

 The community of Bragg Creek is one divided. They are circulating a survey on the noise from bikes and are going to be setting a town hall meeting date soon as they want to put a noise bylaw into effect. If you read the article that is linked to here you will see that the inconsiderate are yet again making it difficult for those who are polite and respectful.

 On a personal note...
I have made some decisions with regards to my business and my volunteer efforts that I want to share with all of you.

 I WILL sponsor and support as many organizations and events as I possibly can - I will always do that but beyond the MRFD I will not volunteer for any outside organization.
The reason for this move is simple. I have come to the conclusion that there are too many people who do not see that a person can be a volunteer and a sponsor and that the two have separate rolls and deserve to be treated differently from each other. Sadly there are those who can not separate the two - Sponsor and Volunteer- the way I can and it has lead to unintentional hurt feelings and animosity. I NEVER want to see people hurt in that way again.

One of the organizations that I helped to found, the CMTA has undergone some huge changes and as a result of those changes, the new board of directors has agreed to administer an Injured Riders Fund.  After lengthy discussions it was determined that the CMTA whose primary objective as a registered non profit is to promote motorcycle tourism and responsible motorcycling could and should find a way to impact riders in need.

 After much discussion with my lawyer, members of the CMTA and the key stakeholders in Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle Chronicles a few things have been decided and are now in the works.

To that end - an Injured Riders Fund is being set up to be similar to that of the Downed Rider Society in Nova Scotia where there are no membership fees - if you have a valid motorcycle license/learner's permit in your home province you can ask for assistance in the event of an accident. Assistance will be offered in those provinces and territories where there are NO local groups taking care of injured riders. BC has AIM and Nova Scotia the Biker Down Society, any applications to us from riders in those provinces will be directed to the organizations that are already there to assist. The CMTA will deliver funding - if the funds are available, in Alberta (until F.I.R.R.E. is a registered non profit) Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, PEI, the Yukon and NWT.

 If a fund raising event is being held for a rider, and if the funds are there or auction items are there, the CMTA will look at what it can contribute to the effort. In this way, the efforts will no be duplicated.

 To access assistance one will simply apply - the only true restrictions on the assistance that can and will be given will be the amount of funds that are available to be donated and that you have to sign off that alcohol, drugs, speed and or distracted driving were not involved as a cause for the accident on the part of the rider. Caps on support and other details are in the hands of the lawyers to sort out.

 The wording for the application for assistance is in with the lawyers to be gone over as are the newly amended bylaws for the CMTA and once completed everything will go back in to the government for the amendments to be noted.

 Monies for the fund will be raised in a variety of ways - primarily but not limited to auctions both live and on line as well as through corporate donations. If the need becomes big enough at some point in the future the group will look at becoming a registered charity. But until then the law allows for up to $25K a year to be donated back in to the community by a non profit. No charitable receipts will be issued as everyone who donates items to the auctions or funds to the cause will be given advertising as a sponsor and will be able to write off their contributions as an advertising and marketing expense.

 The premise is to keep things really simple and easy - no politics and as little volunteer time as possible. Just riders and businesses helping riders and their families during a time of need.

 At some point, should the need for individual assistance become moot because there are registered non profits in each province and territory to serve the needs of injured riders and their families - we will revisit everything we do. We will look at how we can support those non profits with donations directly to their funds but until that day comes, we intend through the Canadian Riders helping Riders network on Belt Drive Betty dot Com & the Belt Drive Betty Foundation with the assistance and support of the CMTA to give back to our community.

The primary driving force behind the fund raising will be the Belt Drive Betty Foundation. It is a mutual benefits society - the charitable arm of Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle. Through the foundation, the key stakeholders in my business help me decide how much to give back to the community every year and how to accomplish that goal.

 It is through the Foundation that we decide how many events to sponsor, how much space to give away in the newspaper and phone book, how many free web sites we can afford to build and or host or both.

 We will be creating an online store - administering the sale of items where some or all of the proceeds from both Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle products and those created on behalf of the CMTA will then be donated to the CMTA to administer.

In this way I will be able to stay true to who I am, to what my vision, mission and ethics statements are for Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle Chronicles. I will give back using the resources of my business in a way that makes sense to my business -  just like Tim Horton's, McDonald's or any number of corporations do and have done for years.

 And that's what is fit to print for today.

 As always, I welcome your feedback and input but please note I will no longer post anonymous comments - you are either man or woman enough to put your name to what you have to say or I will not publish them.

If you are riding today - you lucky SOB...PLEASE be careful - we need you, your family needs you...

 Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor
www.bustedknucklenews.com

A MAX Award winning web site!
at No comments:

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Conflict of Interest?

I read with some interest, concern and dismay at the possibility of an event called Sturgis North coming to Salmon Arm BC in July of 2011.

 Ray Sasseville of Sturgis North Promotions Inc., Phil Wright of the Salmon Arm Fall Fair Society and Steve Hammer - the Treasurer of the Salmon Arm Summer Stomp have tentatively booked the fairgrounds in Salmon Arm for July 10 to 20, with the event slated to run Thursday, July 13 to Sunday, July 17.

 Now - unless I am totally and completely out of it - I would say that Steve Hammer has a conflict of interest problem.

 How can the treasure of one bike event get in to bed with another bike event?
It is just a question - not a judgment, as I have no inside information but on the face of it isn't presented very well. I wonder how the rest of the Salmon Arm Summer Summer Stomp Committee feels about this turn of events. I can only imagine - I mean the treasurer knows EVERYTHING about a group. They can vote, the know how much money has come in and where it goes out.

 I am really concerned for the health of the Salmon Arm Summer Stomp if this conflicting event is allowed to proceed unless of course these two events are merging.

 Compare what appears to be happening in Salmon Arm with my own situation from earlier this week: I was accused of having a conflict of interest by being a volunteer and a sponsor and for throwing all of my resources - FOR FREE - behind an unregistered non profit to help see it succeed and flourish and got voted out of the volunteer position on the board which was a NON voting position.

 ( On the web site I host for the group they have posted the results of the AGM Vote stating that I had tendered my resignation... the information as posted is not exactly accurate and if anyone would like to know what really happened, call me and I will be happy  to share my PERSONAL experience with this group)

 I think the group from the Summer Stomp will need to look at legal action or find a way to get an injunction to prevent the Sturgis North Event from going ahead unless somehow these two groups plan on working together.

 The couple who died in the distracted driving/road rage incident of the weekend have been identified as a couple that was planning on marrying this summer.
Jay Searson and his 40 year old fiancee Andrea Spyker, died when he failed to see a coming curve - they were riding on the hit reflector on the shoulder of the road at the time.  Again - my heart goes out to these two families - I can only imagine the pain and anguish they must be feeling right now.

 The 21 year old  racer - Jesse Phibbs - who was critically injured in Indianapolis
last month has died in a London hospital. My heart goes out to his family as well.

 And in Alameda Saskatchewan they are preparing for the funeral of Doug "Hippy" Lesy.

So many deaths - so many families hurting. I wished I could give them all a hug.

 As with everything I write, every day, I appreciate your input - I will never grow without dialogue!

In other News:
Winnipegger Bob St. Goddard is being inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame!

 In the Comox Valley of Vancouver Island BC the Totem riders raised over $3000 for the St Joe's Hospital

 Also in BC - they are expecting a good turn out in Williams Lake for their Overlander Cross Country Race.

 And in Ottawa - a motorcycle and a car crashed - no word on who the rider is but the report says the injuries were not life threatening.

 In Alberta a study was completed that expresses that 91% of  drivers in this province would FAIL a learners test and that should surprise us how? That is a topic for another day though!

 If you are riding today - you lucky SOB...PLEASE be careful - we need you, your family needs you...

 Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor
www.bustedknucklenews.com


A MAX Award winning web site!
at 3 comments:

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Injured riders receive help from angels of mercy on roadside

On Sunday afternoon a man and a woman were seriously hurt on highway 5 just outside of Saskatoon - apparently paramedics arrived on scene to find a small army of people helping the two riders.
Troy Davies with MD ambulance says the veteran paramedics found impromptu volunteers directing traffic and helping the victims.
"It's pretty rare for us to see that many people step up and lend a hand and the teamwork that our guys seen out there was just something they wanted to get out there to the public," said Davies. From CKOM News
If there can be anything positive in an accident this would be it. 
I personally would love to tell those angels of mercy how much their consideration and kindness means - this story has warmed my hurt heart so very much! 
And Liane Langlois who has headed up the repeal of the Motorcycle Noise Bylaw in Edmonton can take heart that municipalities are listening to her message and they are waiting to see what is going to happen AND they are starting to do the math!
Red Deer is the latest community to decide that attempting to only target motorcycles for noise will be costly - an ineffective use of police man power and potentially discriminatory. 
Inspector Ray Noble filed a report to city staff suggesting that a bylaw for souped-up vehicles may not carry enough benefits to justify passing it.
During 2009, only 46 of 1,778 audited complaints related to municipal bylaws dealt with noise from vehicles, said Noble.
“This number represents less than three per cent of noise-related complaints received by Red Deer detachment.”.....
Edmonton council introduced the bylaw for motorcycle noise in June and is now considering adding other vehicle noise.  Edmonton Police Service bought eight noise meter kits at $3,000 each. Police can issue $250 tickets to individuals with motorcycles generating sound louder than 92 decibels (while idling) or 96 decibels when the bike is moving.
A staff report reveals that some residents in Edmonton are concerned that the new bylaw only focuses on motorbikes. From the Red Deer Advocate

 I am impressed with the dedication and passion with which Liane Langlois has fought for her fellow rider and their rights. I would love to see a concerted effort by all riders to work at protecting our rights and while I will always hope and work to that end myself - I sadly feel that too many people feel the job is too big and they are either too busy or too independent to think that they need to unite to work towards or for anything.

 The Foundation for Injured Riders Rights & Education WILL falter and be a total non starter unless people get involved. As a founding member of the group I would be so happy to see it fly and become a strong and powerful lobbying and support group but unless the people who step up to volunteer for positions actually DO something and unless they get some support from the riding community - well it will go by the way side without so much as a whimper just like ACOM before it did (The Alberta arm of the very effective and successful lobbying group BCCOM)

 While I am no longer involved with the group because they feel I am too controversial -
I still believe in the cause - I still believe that we riders have the potential to make real change happen but unless we unite under one umbrella and put personality conflicts, in house fighting, hidden agendas and politics aside and FOCUS on the issues - the cause -  we will NEVER accomplish a damned thing - as I am fond of saying "United we ride - Divided we ride stock"

 The cause of riders rights, injured riders and getting better, accessible and affordable training should be straight forward enough for any rider to get involved and be able to put personal dislikes aside for the greater good - in the words of Author Peter McWilliams:
“If you're not actively involved in getting what you want, you don't really want it.”


I want to see more stories like the two I have chosen to talk about today - I want there to be some feel good in this community - it's been like herding cats to get people work together but it is heartwarming to know that when they do amazing - stunning things happen.
The riders in Saskatoon - when they are on the mend and doing better I bet are going to feel some blessed for their private little army of people who put themselves aside - who laid down their apathy and did something to make a difference.
And Liane, well - she has done so much with so little help. A friend of hers, Dan - helped with the research of the Charter and other points of law, a few people got out and collected signatures for the petitions and I helped to spread the word by whatever ways and means that I could - but for the most part this human dynamo has managed virtually single handedly to make councils think about the costs - socially as well as financially - and yah know what folks - that is a tough, tough job but the lady has done it. She has impacted Saskatoon SK and Caledon ON not just Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary!
I am constantly amazed when people say I have no time, or I am only one person - you know something that I have discovered?
IF IT MEANS ENOUGH TO YOU - YOU WILL MAKE THE TIME and YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT ONE PERSON CAN AND DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
I urge you - I beg you to get out there and vote - ask questions - educate yourself and make informed decisions about who you are going to vote for.
I am of the firm belief - the more I get to know: a) people   b) politicians c) the way governments work - that if voters made informed choices we might actually have the power to attract some decent civic minded politicians...I think the reason we get the crappy politicians that we do so often, is people either do not vote - or they do not inform themselves of the stances of the people running.
As always - I welcome your comments and dialogue - it is only through the sharing of ideas and talking to each other that we can ever learn empathy - the art of putting yourself in anothers shoes...and it is only by doing that that we become united, strong and FREE.
I have a ton to get done today - I have so much to catch up on.
As always, the news of the day can be found on www.beltdrivebetty.com
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today - please ride safely, keep a level head, make sure you checked your tires for wear and pressure and take a bug or two for me K?
at No comments:

Monday, October 04, 2010

Road Rage and Rider inattention kills two on Vancouver Island

So remember my questions yesterday about road rage...
Well folks - now you can read all about the devastating consequences yourselves.
This is heart breaking and tragic but timely. I am so sorry the man who felt the rage and decided trying to send a message to an inattentive motorist died for his efforts but the motorcyclist was in the wrong - like it or not that my friends and enemies is the sad but honest truth.

 I am so sad that the 51 year old rider's passenger died because the rider was trying to send a message - please do not think me callous because I say this rider was at fault. ANYTIME I loose a member of my family - regardless whether they were my FAVORITE Family member, MY LEAST FAVORITE FAMILY MEMBER or one I BARELY KNEW or DID NOT KNOW - loosing them - no matter the reason still hurts. I can only imagine how their families feel right now.

 Had this man been riding his motorcycle instead of multi-tasking and taking his eyes away from the road - he'd probably still be alive and so would his passenger.

 Now - I think that everyone who rides who has had a near miss has probably ridden up beside a vehicle and given the driver the what for. I know I have.

 But until this sad story appeared in the news I don't think even I had considered the full of the potential consequences of that particular reaction - they are tragic and devastating and in order for these two people's lives - who ever they may be - not be a waste by being snuffed out too soon we all need to take a HUGE lesson from this (IMHO)
Distracted driving kills.  

Road Rage KILLS. 

WE need to get that.

EXCESSIVE SPEED KILLS - look at the number of rear end collisions where the rider is at fault.

 Drinking and riding kills, drugging and riding kills and sooner or later fate will deal you a hand that everyone who loves you gets to pay for if you aren't prepared to get that message.

 WE - this community - needs to get it before I loose anymore people - before you loose any more people. My God in heaven - this puts the death toll amongst riders at some 140 or damned ably close this year.

 I am crushed people - and SO FLAMING ANGRY.
This is so senseless and tragic and we need to find a way to make this stop.
We need to focus on prevention and education.
We need to focus on riding.

 I get accused a lot of being to opinionated, too mouthy and too "Over zealous"

 Well yah know what - I am PROUD to be the Mouthy, Cantankerous, Hard Nosed, Independent SOB that I am. I am proud to stand up for what I believe in and that I am a BIKER, through and through.

 Liane Langlois is the same on many levels and she is working so hard with in our community to get a discriminatory law repealed to protect us, our charter and our rights.
I hope you will honor this woman's hard work on this community's behalf by getting out and voting EDMONTON.

 Liane has been working at getting information on where every candidate stand on the issues and will be doing a special report for the Busted Knuckle on who the candidates are and where they stand on the issues - we shall see who responds and who takes this community seriously.

Now that the major news of the day is out of the way I have some news of a personal nature to share.
As of last night, I am no longer the Marketing VP for the 
Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education.  

 It appears that those who attended the AGM decided that having me, one of the two FOUNDING members be a part of the Board of Directors AND be a Major National Sponsor wasn't a good thing. Too many people apparently were thinking that because Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle Chronicles had put all of her personal resources behind FIRRE and did so on both the sponsorship level and the volunteer level that there was a conflict of interest because of my out spoken ways as the Editor of the Busted Knuckle.

So - since I am no longer chained down to the responsibility of marketing a cause that I so DEEPLY believe in that it was taking up all of my time - I am officially announcing today that I am going to concentrate on the BDB Club - The Rider Friendly Business Association & the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association which is a registered Non Profit.

 I need to support my community with MY resources and MY hard work and MY efforts in a way that makes sense to me and use my business resources in a way that makes sense. In a way that feels right to me and this feels right.

 Once my lawyer and I have discussed the various ideas that are rolling around in my head and we figure out the BEST way to proceed - then we will make some official announcements.
I BELIEVE IN FIRRE

 I wish the Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education well. I will continue to support them as a sponsor with free web site hosting and a host of other self promotional tools the way I do every other non profit that asks for support and I will stay on as a member.
I believe in the cause, I believe in the mission.

 I want always to be a good servant to my community and family and even though my family and I sometimes disagree the way that families are wont to do - I will always remain true to who I am and I will always give to my community and walk the biker way - I do not know how to be anyone else.

 All that ANY Community group that needs exposure and assistance in marketing has to do is ASK - call me, email me....

 I AM HERE to be a communication channel - I DO NOT HAVE to like you to support you.
I only need to believe in the cause you are working for or to see that the cause or group has value to the community where they live.

 We are NOT always going to like each other or AGREE with each other but we do NEED to SUPPORT EACH OTHER and just for the record I am NOT a CONVENTIONAL Business Person - when it comes to serving my community with my resources - resources that were built with the SOLE purpose of benefiting the BIKER COMMUNITY - EVERYTHING IS PERSONAL because this isn't just my business - ITS MY LIFESTYLE, MY LIFE AND MY MISSION - Love me or hate me - it is who I am for I am a TRUE BIKER.
I will help anyone -  at least once -  who needs it if - it is within my power.

 So next years Awareness Conga is going to Cape Breton Nova Scotia for the Cape Breton Bike Fest - details to be hammered out soon! AND get ready cause next year Belt Drive Betty's Awareness Conga is planning to go to the Northern reaches of BC, the Yukon & NWT and then all to the way to Cape Breton NS!
The ENTIRE MONTH OF JULY will be nothing but day after day of riding and meeting the riders of this country! We are not sure what it is all going to look like yet but we are planning to include as much of this magnificent country of ours as possible!

 We'll let you know when WE get it all figured out.
As always I appreciate your feedback and comments and look forward to the dialogue this day will hold.

 Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor
www.bustedknucklenews.com
A MAX Award winning web site!
at 2 comments:

Sunday, October 03, 2010

Another HUGE black eye for the riding community...

Let me set up the scene for you...
Three bikes are heading down the highway, ones is traveling ahead of a car, the other two are riding hard to catch the first bike.

The driver of the car is paying attention to the two bikes that are coming up behind her, looks up and sees she is too close to the bike in front of her and steps on the brakes.

 The two bikers behind her go ballistic -they were visibly frustrated and started to yell, tailgate and flash their high beams. They ride up on either side of her car and make her feel scared.  At the lights they surround her vehicle, banging on it - telling her they are going to follow her home and teach her a lesson.  After more aggressive behaviour she decides to pull over and talk to the riders.

 After pinning her up against her car - one rider pulls the other away - another car is flagged down, the RCMP are called and after a discussion with the officer all are let go.

 BUT - this story is far from over. The car driver claims she panicked and made a mistake, the riders claim she was being aggressive and dangerous.

 The car driver was 24 year old Paralympic skiing competitor Andrea Dziewior and she is NOT letting this incident go - she is frustrated with the police for letting the riders go and plans to press charges of harassment and assault - the riders intend to take the matter up with the police because they feel the police did not handle the situation right - the riders had been told by the attending officer that they were out of line for chasing and following Dziewior...The riders insist her behaviour was dangerous and aggressive.
(Here is the link to the article on www.beltdrivebetty.com: http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/bc-news/293-motorcycle-television/7176-paralympic-skier-has-road-rage-confrontation-with-bikers-in-bc- )

 Now - how old do you think the riders were in this sad but apparently true tale?
Take a guess...20.  Nope....30? Guess again ...40?  Nope try between 50 and 65.

 Now folks - I have been in situations where people have made huge errors in judgment and either cut me off or tried to run me into a curb or median because they didn't shoulder check or look at all. I have been put in harms way by those who are not paying attention in their vehicles...and although I have hollered and screamed and honked the pathetic thing I call a horn on my bike (I AM GETTING AND AIR HORN THIS WINTER!) I have usually pulled off to the side of the road and de-stressed because when I vibrate like that I am not a good rider.

 I also do one other thing - if I truly feel the driver who messed up is unsafe and dangerous - I memorized the license plate and while I am on the side of the road I call 911 and ask to lay a citizens complaint. It generally involves a trip to the local detachment of whatever police department serves the community I am in and later it means court - but if I am truly that upset that I feel my life was endangered and I think the driver will endanger others - it is worth the headache and inconvenience.  At the end of the day vigilante justice might feel good for a moment but it in NO way resolves anything.

 The bad driver is not ticketed hence not loosing demerits that might see them have to take a course or loose their license for a while - they get NO real lasting message the way they do when their insurance premium has doubled....or they are walking, taking transit or riding a bicycle while the vehicle they own sits in a garage or driveway untouched.

 What real purpose is served by scaring the crap out of someone that way?

 I know what I think the repercussions of this incident will probably be...this little gal who has and audience and the ear of the press because she is a "celebrity" and is handicapped will tell her tale - press charges - win a conviction in court and tell her tale OVER and OVER and OVER.

 Our community will be yet again tarred as a bunch of hot heads and vigilantes...

 Do I think the riders had a valid point - probably. Do I think that they should have reacted the way they did - NOPE, yelling, hollering YAH - banging on her car, screaming profanities - NOT SO MUCH, surrounding her, pinning her up against her vehicle...really dumb in my humble opinion.

 There is an old saying that two wrongs don't make a right - that saying was conceived because of situations just like this one.
We all make mistakes when we drive. 

 There is NOT ONE human being alive who can say they have NEVER made a mistake or a misjudgment. Some lapses have far more serious consequences than others. In this case the young driver got lucky that she didn't injure someone. In this case the riders who were - in all probability riding too fast to catch their buddy were also, by the time she put her brakes on - riding too close or tailgating as it is called - and in my humble opinion were probably just as much at fault as the driver of the car was.

 Road rage - vigilantism - very seldom do these behaviors do anything but make the person who exhibits them feel better for a moment or two and scare the crap out of the person on the receiving end - and forever the person on the receiving end ends up hating bikers - and in many, many cases the stories you hear about people who hate our community and will run bikers off the road when they see us - they stem from incidences just like this one...

 Think about it the next time you are about to loose it on someone who screws up while driving...are you perfect when you drive? Have you ever screwed up? Do you know the potential consequences of your anger?  Is it worth getting charged for harassment or assault?  Is it not far, far better to press charges of your own and go to court and have the person have to look at you as a human being - I mean seriously if you were that scared for your life - is it not worth the inconvenience of going to court and perhaps seeing a dangerous person being taken off the road?

 I know from personal experience that there are those who will drive anyway - license or not, but at least if they get caught they WILL eventually go to jail...

 This is another topic I would LOVE your input on - I know there has to be some great stories and some even better ideas on dealing with the rage and fear you feel when involved in a near miss...share people - talk to me and the rest of the people who read this blog.

In the news today - there are more tragic tailgating accidents to report but since this is Sunday and I am not supposed to be blogging - I will let you read the days news over at www.beltdrivebetty.com without giving you the links to the stories....

 You have a great Sunday and 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...)
Belt Drive Betty
A MAX Award winning web site!
National VP of Marketing
Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education
Contact Me LinkedinFacebookBloggerTwitter
at 2 comments: