Out with the old and in with new motorcycle laws

<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It would appear that many states are liking the co authored law of two young California teenagers. Connecticut and<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-law-and-politics/360-contacts/8438--new-requirement-for-motorcycle-licenses"> Oregon </a>have both implemented new - mandatory rider training for all potential motorcyclists. <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-law-and-politics/360-contacts/8441-new-oregon-motorcycle-law">In the case of Connecticut</a> though they have taken it to a new level. If you are 30 or under and never had a motorcycle license you will be required to take the basic safety course.</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On top of that the NTSB is calling for a <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/8436-ntsb-urging-mandatory-motorcycle-helmet-laws">mandatory helmet law </a>for all states.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now I am a proponent for choice but the mandatory rider training is something that I personally think is a good thing for a number of reasons. Firstly, too many young people</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(I remember being young once) tend to think they are invincible and take chances they really shouldn't based on their skill levels. (If they are allowed to grow to old age, they realize that certain chances they took were not really the best ideas they had ever had.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I too can look back with that kind of perfect 20/20 vision called hindsight and say, yup that chance I took back then, was pretty dumb.)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secondly, with so many people on the roadways that do NOT know the rules of the road it is just plain smart to get trained and I don't mean just motorcyclists - I think ALL car drivers should have to take a mandatory course.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thirdly - there are millions more people using the roadways that are not paying attention to the job of driving. Texting, calling on cell phones, scolding kids - they are so busy inside their vehicles that what is going on outside of their vehicles doesn't appear to register.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With the higher number of vehicles on the road and the increased dangers - training can and will save your life. (I remember a time on Canadian roads when you could go for hours and scarcely see another vehicle. Try that today - and yes, I realize I am dating myself.)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are those who feel another law is not a good thing. I disagree - I think a SMART law that has the potential of increasing your enjoyment of your motorcycle is a good thing.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mandatory training will, (if implemented consistently - and I am talking the quality of the training here) increase the persons ability, will make them a better car driver, (at least one that is more aware of their surroundings - I know it has made me a more aware driver)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think we have too many laws on our books that are dumb, out dated and in many cases knee jerk reaction laws and not well thought out - off the top of my head,  the pay before you fuel law in BC that came about because a young person was killed in a robbery because he wasn't taught properly to let the robbers go, is a knee jerk reaction law that was poorly thought out.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This one however, born by two teenagers has HUGE merit, it took two years to come about and they had input from a rather large number of people. I think however law makers need to take it one step farther and make it mandatory to take driver training for ALL vehicle drivers. The only reason I feel ANY apprehension about this law at all - it's discriminatory - it's holding motorcyclists to a different standard than the rest of the road users.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The young men who co authored this law were directly impacted by the motorcycle accident that caused them to write it, had it been that the brother who died had been driving a car untrained perhaps they would have targeted teen driving. I get that, but the law makers themselves should be more cognizant and should see the value in training all people instead of punishing them.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I watch shows like Canada's WORST Driver and all I want is the license of the driver examiner who gave these people their license.  We see through that show the absolute inconsistency of driver examiners - to me THEY are one of the weakest links in the system.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I feel that they are in some ways personally responsible for some of the very dangerous drivers that are on our roadways. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are dumb laws that make hard working, decent people into criminals. There are dumb laws that inconvenience people unnecessarily, all because common sense was not used to write them. There are further dumb laws that are put it place that are simply there to increase the coffers of the jurisdictions they are implemented in.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then there are laws that make sense.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mandatory driver/rider training is smart economics in my humble opinion.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Any time you empower people through training two things happen.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The more knowledgeable some one is, in any discipline or any job, the less of a drain they are on resources.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The less the drain on resources, the more productivity goes up.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With the implementation of mandatory Driver & Rider training, the benefits should be that jurisdictions are spending less resources in hospitals, policing resources would be allocated to different and more effective uses of their time, insurance would go down, fewer people would be mourning and our community would be bigger.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The helmet thing - well, I am still a conflicted person on that one. At some point, if we are trained and have knowledge, I think that our degree of risk should be a decision left up to us. In Florida, you can ride without a helmet as long as you can prove you have $10K minimum in health care insurance so that you are not a drain on the medical system and do not infringe upon the rights of other taxpayers. Since riding like driving is a privilege,</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think paying extra for that privilege of riding without a helmet is a fair trade off. (Provided you have a sticker on your plate so the police have no reason to stop you unnecessarily.)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As I said, I am conflicted on the helmet law - part of me understands that the governments are trying to find ways to reduce deaths and long hospital stays that are a burden on the system  - at the same time I the old rebel in me says quit telling me what to do.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I do feel that if the governments put money in to training people, if they made the mandatory training either free or subsidized it, it would not take very long for them to see a huge reduction in other resources that would allow them to use those resources in a wiser and more efficient manner.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Am I a dreamer? Probably, but for once, there is a law I believe in. I just wished that it was mandatory for all beginner drivers, no matter their weapon, I mean vehicle of choice.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I wished the governments would subsidize it and I wished that the training offered was more consistent - as shows like Canada's Worst Driver show - we also need FAR better driver examiners and THEY need to be held more accountable for the job they do and the people they give licenses to.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That's my two bits worth on this topic - I WOULD LOVE to hear yours!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Join me in the forums on <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a>, on Facebook or right here in my blog!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is a whack of other stuff in the news but I have a ton of work to accomplish in the next 5 days so every minute counts...go check out the news of the day at <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> where we scour the news feeds so you don't have to.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is one thing I do want to draw your attention to - a <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-ab-news/292-motorcycle-television/8435-alberta-wants-your-opinion-">Survey request</a> from the Department of Transportation and Safety in Alberta...if you ride here, please fill it out.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You have a chance to impact riding styles and behaviours through awareness commercials and signage.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please if you are attending New Year's parties, plan your way home in advance!<br /> If you are driving- please take care on the roads and cherish those you love the way you cherish your motorcycle.<br /> </span></span> <br /> <h3 class="qHeader" style="font-weight: normal;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i><b>Belt Drive Betty<br /> </b>Editor & Rider</i><br /> <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a><br /> <a href="http://www.bustedknucklechronicles.com/">www.bustedknucklechronicles.com</a></span></span></h3>

Out with the old and in with new motorcycle laws

It would appear that many states are liking the co authored law of two young California teenagers. Connecticut and Oregon have both impleme...

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Teens Co author California's new motorcycle law

<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In August, 2007, Jarrad Cole, was heading to college and wanted a bike. He got his motorcycle permit and bought a used Suzuki GSX-R. Twenty minutes later, practicing in front of his dad's house, he was thrown into a retaining wall and died instantly from chest injuries.</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">His brother and a friend decided the laws governing young people and motorcycle training needed to be changed in <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-law-and-politics/360-contacts/8424-teens-co-author-motorcycle-safety-law-">California and change it they did.</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The new law will see teens have to take a 15 hour motorcycle safety course BEFORE they are allowed to get a learners permit to ride. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The permit allows the teen to ride on streets, but not at night, not on freeways and not with passengers. After six months, the teen qualifies for a motorcycle license. Teens under age 18, though, still cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., and can't have passengers under age 20.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My personal opinion is that this law is a GREAT first step but I think it needs to be taken one step farther. I feel that everyone who wants to get on a motorcycle - that does not already have a motorcycle endorsement should be required to take training.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here in Canada our training programs are far more costly than in the US - none the less, being trained can save your life and give you the skills and knowledge necessary for surviving the mean streets of urban riding and the rigors and perils of road riding.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I commend the young men who decided to impact the world in a positive way.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What are your thoughts on mandatory rider training? I would love to know.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Join the discussion here in my blog, on Facebook or in our forums on <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>In the New Today:</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Jerusalem: Avi Cohen is <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/8411-avi-cohen--bidding-farewell-to-a-legend-">buried and remembered</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Japan - we finally know why the 2011 Kawasaki ZX 10R<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-lifestyle/446-motorcycle-reviews-/8422-kawasaki-fixing-surging-intake-valve-springs-on-2011-model-zx-10r-sales-will-resume-in-january"> production is being held up</a></span><br /> <div> <div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <div style="color: #d9ead3;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the wild and weird category a combo <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-lifestyle/446-motorcycle-reviews-/8421-electric-carmotorbike-combo-could-be-the-ultimate-dual-use-vehicle-">bike/car is being touted</a> as the next great idea for urban commuting</span></div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></div> </div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the US we are saying good by to <a class="contentpagetitle" href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/8417-guitarist-mean-gene-kelton-killed-in-wreck-in-rural-harris-county-">Guitarist 'Mean' Gene Kelton</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also in the US the courts have reopened the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-law-and-politics/360-contacts/8413--court-revives-defective-motorcycle-helmet-claim">defective motorcycle helmet claim</a> against Fulmer Helmets</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Please if you are attending New Year's parties, plan your way home in advance!<br /> If you are driving- please take care on the roads and cherish those you love the way you cherish your motorcycle.</i><br /> </span></span> <br /> <h3 class="qHeader" style="font-weight: normal;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>Belt Drive Betty<br /> </b>Editor & Rider<br /> <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a><br /> <a href="http://www.bustedknucklechronicles.com/">www.bustedknucklechronicles.com</a></span></span></h3>

Teens Co author California's new motorcycle law

In August, 2007, Jarrad Cole, was heading to college and wanted a bike. He got his motorcycle permit and bought a used Suzuki GSX-R. Twe...

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All I want for 2011...

<span style="color: #e69138;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As I look through the news feeds again today - everyone and I do mean everyone is producing a top ten list from 2010.</span></i></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I do not wish to look back other than a quick glance over my shoulder.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Nope, I prefer to look ahead...<br /></span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoi-t1E9NztVacH8xCL60O4NbEfHaDkpjPJAz_LqpAJWfFtDJXG_ciytPchOs_d1AJFIy6IRdmJi557ntR-jIRO9aRSk0koMs1do0vvCNt3xE6bog85q-To3YqrsRlYqMu7mM/s1600/2011+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoi-t1E9NztVacH8xCL60O4NbEfHaDkpjPJAz_LqpAJWfFtDJXG_ciytPchOs_d1AJFIy6IRdmJi557ntR-jIRO9aRSk0koMs1do0vvCNt3xE6bog85q-To3YqrsRlYqMu7mM/s1600/2011+ride.jpg" /></a></div> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></i> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2011 - I am looking forward - to the RIDE.  Yes, right now I am dreaming of motorcycles, bugs, sunshine, rain, wind and hail, the smells of fresh cut grass in the ditches, the sweet clover, heck allergy or no I am even looking forward to smelling canola and seeing those wild yellow/phosphorescence flowers it produces.  I am looking forward to the motorcycle shows, the rallies, the mountains the twisties and the friends I will see again this coming year.</span></i><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am looking forward to the rivers, the lakes, the waterfalls, the wildlife, (as long as they stay out of my path).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am looking forward because if I look back...nope not going there...ahead - looking to where I want to go.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want - in 2011, to surround myself with people of integrity, people who do what they say they are going to. I am looking forward to a year filled with possibility.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I am looking forward to love, laughter and joy and yes I even embrace the challenges and sorrow that are bound to come along.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's my top ten list for 2011 - I'll let everyone else look back...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">10) Riding - just riding</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">9) Riding to the rallies and runs</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">8) Riding to create awareness of motorcyclists and sharing the road</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">7) Riding across Canada</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">6) Riding to the Yukon and I hope the Northwest Territories</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">5) Riding by rivers and lakes</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">4) Riding in the mountains</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">3) Riding by myself</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2) Riding with my friends</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1) Riding with my husband</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What's on your list for 2011?</span></i><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In 2011 - what are looking forward to?</span></i><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What is it that excites you, makes your imagination dance?</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'd love to know! Join me on Facebook - here in my blog or in our forums on <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>In the news today:</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Isreal Soccer great Avi Cohen<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/8393-avi-cohen-dies-after-motorcycle-crash-"> dies from his injuries</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In California a new law <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/8394-new-state-law-targets-motorcycle-thieves">targets motorcycle thieves</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also in California the new <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/8395-new-motorcycle-law-revs-up-controversy">Motorcycle Noise Law </a>is cranking people up</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In BC the Milkman<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-sports-canadian/342-canadian-drag-racing/8392-abbotsfords-milkman-hits-the-sands-of-qatar-third-generation-dairy-farmer-breaking-records-in-arabian-desert"> goes racing again</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the UK a motorcycle racer goes <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/8397--motorcycle-racer-abused-girl-from-the-age-of-nine">to jail for sexual abuse</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Texas - "Kokomo" - the founder of the<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/8400-two-motor-vehicle-accidents-in-denison-tuesday-night-"> Motorcycle Fatality Awareness Program</a> is in critical condition after an 18 year old drive cut a left hand turn in front of him.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have a day filled with thoughts of motorcycles and freedom, open roads and twisties and positively impacting others who ride in a not so positive way to protect our privileges.<br /> <br /> <i>Please if you are attending parties, plan your way home in advance!<br /> If you are driving home from Christmas feasts and visits please take care on the roads and cherish those you love the way you cherish your motorcycle.</i><br /> </span></span> <br /> <h3 class="qHeader" style="font-weight: normal;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i><b>Belt Drive Betty<br /> </b>Editor & Rider</i><br /> <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a><br /> <a href="http://www.bustedknucklechronicles.com/">www.bustedknucklechronicles.com</a></span></span></h3>

All I want for 2011...

As I look through the news feeds again today - everyone and I do mean everyone is producing a top ten list from 2010. I do not wish to loo...

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Protecting our Privileges so this doesn't happen here

<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When it comes to bikers rights and how we are treated here in North America, I have heard many people say we are lucky, we have it better than anywhere else in the world - we should be thankful instead of fighting. They want to take away our right to choose helmets or not...no biggie. They want to take away our pipes and make all our machines as quiet as e-bikes...no problem. We don't put up much of a fight - hell for a bunch of freedom lovers we too often wait for someone else to fight what we deem tyranny. We are a complacent lot for the most part these days, we pay a lot of lip service to the notion of fighting for our rights, but that is all it is for the most part, lip service. I wonder what our fore fathers would think of what we have become...</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want you all to consider something...Imagine owning a motorcycle repair shop or a parts shop and being told that you have to move it because your shop is an eyesore to our down town core and your patrons are hooligans that we don't want down town. They are reckless and endanger people's lives - get out, move to the suburbs and while you are moving your business, we are going to also fine you.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That is the lot of a <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/8379-motorcycle-repair-shops-must-move-to-suburbs">number of motorcycle repair shops in Abu Dhabi Saudi Arabia.</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Reportedly they, the public officials, want to prevent the city from looking like a "maintenance garage".</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Motorcyclists are also going to be restricted to using the right hand lanes - "The use of these designated lanes will allow motorcyclists to ensure their own safety as well as those of other motorists, Al Mazroui said."</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now comparing a regime like Saudi Arabia to Canada or the US might seem ludicrous to some but I want you to look at the mind set of the officials there and here...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With more and more restrictions on us here in North America - with more and more people complaining about noise, about reckless riders, the officials in our countries are attempting to curb our freedoms and privileges because of the actions of some.  The same is happening in places like Saudi Arabia, Manila, China, Korea, India - we riders are being painted into corners because of the actions of a few.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How many people are there that would like to see motorcycles legislated right out of existence? There was an article in a Florida newspaper where in the writer wanted to see motorcycles banned as unsafe...folks - this is not a joke any more. This is serious stuff here and I am not sure we can live with our heads in the sand too much longer cause when we do finally lift them it will be to discover a very different world of riding. The point of my little diatribe this morning is that we need to know what is coming down the pipes and we learn that by reading what is going on around the world - to be forewarned is to be forearmed.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><br /> </b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Knowledge used well is power. </b>The key is we <b>HAVE TO DO SOMETHING</b> with the knowledge we have about the police and the municipal officials and their mind set. If we look at the mind set of police officials around the world you will see one common thread...the few ruin things for the many and we ALL get tarred.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Knowing that - what can WE DO?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want you to consider something...what if we riders started to push back? What if we started reporting every driver we saw who has a cell phone to their ear while driving?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What if we started reporting the cars with boom boxes so loud the windows in your house rattle or the trucks and cars with no or after market mufflers that are way too loud?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What if we started shunning the stunters and the persons who show off doing burn outs at stop signs and street lights and reporting them? What if we wrestled the keys from an impaired rider instead of shaking our heads in the parking lot as we see them fumbling around? What if we reported the guy with the straight pipes who purposely is setting of car alarms for blocks instead of encouraging them? (We know that you can ride a loud motorcycle with respect so that  it is not obnoxious and don't upset the neighbors and business people).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is long past time where we realize that the actions of one person can tar the rest of us.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And it is time we quit encouraging the few and start shunning them as UN COOL.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The single biggest need for those who like to stunt on the roadways is for attention and they don't care if it is negative or positive attention - but if we gave them none - turned our back on them, refuse to talk to them, could we change the tides? What if we reported them when we saw them?  I don't know, but nothing else seems to be working -  so my questions is what do we have to loose by trying?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Appealing to them one at a time - trying to change their minds, pointing out that they are selfish and ruining it for the rest of us doesn't seem to work in any broad way. I have had some positive results by talking to people but...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What is the answer to protecting our community and the privilege of riding?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I really don't know - but I think we need to find an answer that works more often than not...we can't prevent or stop all of the selfish or thoughtless people but we can take a stand within our own communities - we can make sure that we are not fueling their need for attention.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If we riders in Canada and the US united our voices we would be almost 12 Million strong.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I know that the likelihood of 12 million people who are for the most part independent thinkers; "A" type personalities uniting their voices is a stretch, but imagine if you will 12 million people acting in a similar fashion...what would the chances be that we could POSITIVELY Impact the behaviors and mindsets of the thoughtless and selfish?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I welcome your thoughts on this topic - like everyday - I invite you to jump into the conversation...who knows what ideas will come from the sharing and discussions...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Join us in the forums on <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a>, on  my personal Face Book Page: Belt Drive Betty or our fan page: Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle Chronicles or here in this blog.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>In other news:</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Arizona <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-law-and-politics/360-contacts/8385-7-alleged-vagos-indicted">7 alleged members of the Vagos</a> are indited on felony counts of aggravated assault and one count each of riot and assisting in a criminal street gang.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Santa Clara California a<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-law-and-politics/360-contacts/8386-cop-charged-with-giving-dmv-data-to-hells-angel"> police officer has been charged</a> with providing a member of the Hells Angels with DMV information on people.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In France <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-health-and-tech/517-technology-a-gadgets-for-you/8383-space-material-prevents-road-rash">a clothing designer who happens to ride set out on a mission </a>after a spill on his motorcycle. He wanted to find a fibre that could beat Kevlar, (<span class="BTX">Kevlar has some major flaws when it comes to apparel. It doesn't 'breathe', in the woven form it is uncomfortable to wear and starts to disintegrate when it's exposed to the ultraviolet in sunlight.) </span> Pierre-Henry, after extensive research, lit upon a fibre known as 'ultra high molecular weight polyethylene' (UHMWPE). It is a form of polyethylene, the world's most common plastic, but the fibres are twice as strong as Kevlar, and 10-100 times stronger than steel.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="BTX">In the UK, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-lifestyle/440-food/8380-hairy-bikers-stir-up-support-celebrity-cooks-help-charity-launch-new-recipe-book-">the Hairy Bikers are helping</a> launch a special charity cookbook.</span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Porsche becomes the newest company with a <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/latest-lifestyle/446-motorcycle-reviews-/8382-porsche-tribute-motorcycle-by-customwolf">tribute motorcycle.</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are a number of sports articles for you motor sports fans and  a few others on different gadgets for your bike. Visit <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> to read up on the happenings in Canada and around the world.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have a day filled with thoughts of motorcycles and freedom, open roads and twisties and positively impacting others who ride in a not so positive way to protect our privileges.</span></span><br /> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></i> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Please if you are attending parties, plan your way home in advance!<br /> If you are driving home from Christmas feasts and visits please take care on the roads and cherish those you love the way you cherish your motorcycle.</i><br /> </span></span> <br /> <h3 class="qHeader" style="font-weight: normal;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i><b>Belt Drive Betty<br /> </b>Editor & Rider</i><br /> <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a><br /> <a href="http://www.bustedknucklechronicles.com/">www.bustedknucklechronicles.com</a></span></span></h3>

Protecting our Privileges so this doesn't happen here

When it comes to bikers rights and how we are treated here in North America, I have heard many people say we are lucky, we have it better th...

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I hope you found it...

<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The day of celebration we call Christmas is over for another year. The mobs of people shopping the boxing day sales have hopefully found what they were looking for - the things they didn't get as presents but I am hoping you found something else.</span></span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Presents, gadgets - they are all just things. They wear out, the get broken.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am hoping you found the spirit of Christmas in your heart.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are some heart warming stories that came out over Christmas - like the gang of people in <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/bc-news/293-motorcycle-television/8368-free-hugs-given-away-in-downtown-kelowna">Kelowna BC giving away free hugs in memory </a>of their friend, Wayne Cobb, who died last year in a motorcycle accident.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And the story out of the States where in a young Utah man who had not been able to go to his parents home because of a life altering collision on his motorcycle that sees him wheelchair bound, and was helped out by Santa's Subcontractors....<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/lastest-international/286-news-international-/8363-subcontractors-for-santa-surprise-man-confined-to-wheelchair-">he can now visit his mom and dad!</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The biggest, the BEST gift that anyone can give or receive is LOVE.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have friends who have very little in the way of possessions but they are wealthier than many because they have each other and know that no matter what, Love will see then through.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I hope you found it...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On the personal front, I spent some time with my motorcycle.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">No - with all of the snow on the ground I did not get to ride.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I got out a heater with a good fan, put on some shades, threw my feet up on the highway pegs, turned on the stereo, leaned back against the back rest and relived the miles of riding I put on this summer. I remembered the rain, the sun, the smells (its amazing when you use your imagination and power of recall just how vivid those memories are.)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I remembered the faces and smiles of the people I met, the sorrow of loosing my brother to Cancer, the magnificence of the ocean, the rock faces, the trees, the wildlife I saw and as sad as I was, I found that freedom, that happiness again. It is amazing the power of your imagination - for a brief moment I was transported back to simpler days where it was just me and my machine and the elements...that is until my husband walked in and caught me pretending again!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have it bad...PMS that is - Parked Motorcycle Syndrome and I am truly looking forward to our Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine that kicks off on Saturday.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I can not wait to see everyone's rides, the modifications and personalizations.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We have some incredible prizes too.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Everything from leather goods and meals to event tickets and hotel stays.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Our two really big prizes this year are:</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A Doran 360M Tire Pressure Monitoring System for the Best Touring Machine be it a Metric or American Touring bike and for the people's choice - the bike with the Over all most votes - a Drift High Definition Video Camera from Drift Camera Canada.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All of the prizes we are offer are transferable so if you win something you can't use you can ask that it be shipped or transferred to a friend or family member.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I hope you have your pictures chosen!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well folks, I have a busy day ahead. Time to get after it and git er done!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Have a day filled with thoughts of motorcycles and freedom, open roads and twisties - I know mine will be...Please if you are attending parties, plan your way home in advance!<br /> If you are driving home from Christmas feasts and visits please take care on the roads and cherish those you love the way you cherish your motorcycle.</i><br /> </span></span> <br /> <h3 class="qHeader" style="font-weight: normal;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i><b>Belt Drive Betty<br /> Editor & Rider</b></i><br /> <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a><br /> <a href="http://www.bustedknucklechronicles.com/">www.bustedknucklechronicles.com</a></span></span></h3>

I hope you found it...

The day of celebration we call Christmas is over for another year. The mobs of people shopping the boxing day sales have hopefully found wha...

Read more »