The National Highway Transportation Safety Association in the US has begun funding Motorcycle Only Check Points. Their rational is to reduce injury by inspecting the tires, handlebars, lights, exhaust systems and helmets of riders.
Here is a letter from the AMA asking for a halt to the program:
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/nhtsa-funding-motorcycle-only-checkpoints/
Read a letter from the NHTSA disputing the call from the AMA to halt the check points: http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/nhtsa-resposne-ama-letter/
I am really quite dismayed that we are even discussing this ridiculous and blatant mis management of tax payer dollars but talk about it we must.
Why is the NHTSA not simply adding motorcycle inspections to the already existing vehicle inspections? Why are they not being inspected the same way cars, trucks and semis are inspected for safety and their insurance?
Now I know things are done differently from state to state the way they are here in Canada from province to province - but wouldn't requiring a safety inspection in a proper facility make far more sense than road side inspections? The NHTSA gets its legality from the Drink Driving Check Stops - but those check stops are for ALL vehicles. The AMA rightly contends that these check points are illegal and the US Congress has been urging the NHSTA to halt the program.
If you look at this document from the NHTSA: http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/Cfc_title49/MVS01092008.pdf
You will see that there are measures for dealing with illegal equipment.
If the lights in question, the exhaust systems in question and beanies are illegal to possess - then why are they allowed to be manufactured and sold? The same holds true of handlebars - if Apes are illegal then why are they allowed to be manufactured and sold? The tires issue - well - that one I am unsure of as is the AMA and the NHSTA never answered what they mean about tires being unsafe. If they are talking about under inflated tires or thread bare I guess they might have an issue there - but for the rest of it? Come On...
The Babysitters of the world are getting out of hand. It is as if these lawmakers craft laws then forget about them or refuse to enforce them just so they can craft another one. It is as if the WANT to make crooks and offenders out of honest hard working people.
Either that or the seedy politician who crafts them is just trying to go down in the history books and make a name for them self...
Look at the Edmonton Motorcycle Only Noise bylaw. The provincial law provides a remedy for loud trucks - $115 fine, loud cars - $115, loud motorcycles $115 and for stunting - $400 + demerits.
I shake my head at these people who think that violating one segment of the motorized public is a smart thing to do. I have a question for all of the smart people - Can I call all RCMP officers "DRUNK" because 5 officers in the Delta area of BC were charged with impaired driving - some of them while on duty from December 1 - 31 of 2009?
Can I as a citizen ask a breathalyser to be done on every police officer before, during and after their shift to ensure they aren't drunk?
In my humble opinion, this profiling that is going on, of our community is disgusting.
From the Canadian Encyclopedia: (http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?Params=A1ARTA0006458&PgNm=TCE)
Prejudice refers to an unsubstantiated negative prejudgement of individuals or groups, usually because ofETHNICITY, RELIGION or race (see RACISM), but it could be based on any quality, including gender, age, physical appearance or disability. Discrimination is the exclusion of individuals or groups from full participation in society because of prejudice. Prejudice (an attitude) and discrimination (behaviour) are usually linked, but they are distinct phenomena. In a vicious circle, prejudice frequently leads to discriminatory behaviour while discrimination reinforces or creates social and economic inequalities which then reinforce prejudices. End quote.
Now I know all about the charter and how little it really protects us - but somewhere, somehow there has to be a case against the singling out of motorcycles and holding motorcyclists to a different standard than other motorized vehicle owners.
My sense of indignation on this issue is huge.
Anytime one group of people is treated differently and unfairly when compared to the rest of the world it is wrong.
I know that driving and riding are a privilege - does that mean that the drivers of cars, trucks, mini vans, SUV's and semis are more special, more privileged than motorcyclists?
Or that they are some how special under the law and that they can contravene the law but motorcyclists can't?
I would love to see the day when professional truck drivers act like professional and don't use their engine retarder brakes in city limits and that when they do, the police actually charge them.
I would like to see the day come when police offers are not texting on their cell phones while they drive - like the Edmonton City officer I saw yesterday do - I wished I would have thought to use my phone camera for that one. I wished that every politician saw their job as one of common sense and exercised it when they spent our money....
I would love your thoughts and opinions on this topic - it should provide many of us something to think about next elections...
You have a great Thursday - I am off for two days of sales calls and heading home Saturday afternoon...
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Ontario - I hope you are prepared to vote in OCTOBER!!!!
My least favourite MPP - Helena Jazcek has been nominated to run again for the Liberal Party in Ontario in the provincial elections in October.
Ontario Motorcyclists it is your duty to get out and vote and ensure this viciously ridiculous (IMHO) MPP does not grace the halls of legislature in Ontario ever again. Because this woman was a doctor she has appointed herself as keeper of the motorized recreational community - being a doctor does not give her the right to dictate to people what level of risk they should feel comfortable with for themselves or their kids.
It is my fondest hope that Ontario riders send a clear and concise message to her and the Liberal Party - WE DON'T NEED ANYMORE BABYSITTING LAWS.
I am sick to death of politicians wasting our tax dollars on the ridiculous when there are so many important things like road ways that need desperate attention. Roads are key to tourism and commerce and they keep getting neglected by municipal and provincial governments as do other major infrastructure issues - all in favour of some glory seeking politician that wants to see their name in lights so to speak.
Take a case in point in Edmonton where city lawyers want to appeal the decision to throw out the tickets given to Stuart Young. It was determined by the commissioner who heard the case that the tests - based on solid evidence - have not been being conducted properly among other things and yet these lawyers at the behest of the city of Edmonton now want to press the courts to have the decision over turned. I shake my head at the utter and disgusting waste. As a taxpayer I resent this sort of thing. To me it is a flagrant waste.
If the city really wants to crack down on noise by rude and insufferable people then they should be following provincial law, ticketing ALL offenders at the same rate and using the stunting law far more often which carries a far heavier fine and the loss of demerits.
If this bylaw was truly about noise then it would cover ALL vehicles and road users not just one segment - but like so many things political, this bylaw appears to be about a popularity contest, glory and self gratification and MONEY - it is a cash grab for the city and an open door to violate the riders of motorcycles by the police services.
The J2825 standard is a HARD test to get right from what my research has shown. (YouTube Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KdYUhH3JSo) There are so many things that affect the accuracy of the measurement. The officers trained - 35 of them - were trained in one day from my understanding.
Ah well, I hope the MIC and the MMIC rest easy knowing that their god intention to prevent discrimination has resulted in far more discrimination and the ability under law for the police services to pull over any motorcycle they chose. To me this ranks right up there with NHTSA and it's motorcycle only check points.
The police services - no matter which one you deal with - have a tendency to look at every rider and every bike as if we are all either members of an outlaw motorcycle club or that we are all really tight supporters of those clubs with potential for inside information. I do not understand that mentality at all but hey - maybe it's because I am a female...
Yes Ontario - you NEED to get it together for the elections in October and I am gonna keep hammering at you to remind you of what Helena Jazcek has attempted to do to our community.
We must be focused - we need to route out those who would attempt to curb our freedoms. There is no more powerful voice than the voice of thousands who are united to prevent a loss of freedom - of the right to choose.
There is lots of news to check out over on www.beltdrivebetty.com
We are entering the final stage of voting in the Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine
You can cast your votes for your favourite machines every day until March 3rd at midnight!
I have a busy day ahead so I am going to sign off for now - have a fabulous Hump Day everyone!
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com
Monday, February 21, 2011
Talk about a roller coaster ride....
The Red Deer Motorcycle was an extremely small show - reminiscent of when it first started over at the Capri Hotel's conference center the very first year - back in the day when I was its first event coordinator.
The biggest difference from the first year to this year is that the Capri did not afford one to have the entertainment that was offered. The stunt shows and the trials riding, the littles riding around - no, you couldn't do that over at the Capri.
Was it a bad thing that it was a smaller show this year? Yes and NO.
On the yes side - financially it had to be tough on the show host. Some of the spectators didn't like that it was a smaller show BUT - it did give people more time to visit, to really talk to the vendors - to mill about and truly enjoy the offerings.
Our booth was so busy and I want to thank Kim Newberry of the Rockin' the Valley Show 'n' Shine in Drayton Valley for not only being there to promote her community's show but pitching in to help out promoting the Busted Knuckle and the Biker's Discount Buying Club.
And my buddy Gracie for helping out as well - she did such an awesome job - and Barry, thanks for the place to hang my hat, I did miss you and your fabulous - famous hugs. I hope work is going well for you.
The reason that I can go to so many of these motorcycle shows and collect hugs - sell subscriptions to the news paper and promote all of the events, and everything we do at Belt Drive Betty is because my friends, my community help me out.
I repay them by paying it forward (among other things). It has a been a philosophy I have lived by all my life.
That brings me to the low point in my weekend.
Some one handed me a copy of an email, first thing in the morning - the person didn't want to do it but felt they had to - to inform and protect me. I read the letter and I started to cry. I was gutted. The letter was written by someone from a well known riding club and is also a part of a brand new non profit and this person accused me of misappropriation of funds and of threatening people.
It took me a few minutes to digest this accusation - I made a few phone calls, asked a few people I respect for some advice, I got angry, I was hurt and then I did what I always do - I sought help from my community.
I went to a member of the CMA and said I need a prayer circle. I am not religious person but rather a spiritual one - I understand the power of many minds thinking the same thing, being on the same energy level and the power that positive thought. I understand and believe in the power of the law of love, the law of attraction amongst other things.
The people from the Red Deer and Edmonton CMA chapters that I know are loving and ethical, kind and balanced people and they too are believers in the power of love.
The person I sought out is some one I love, admire and respect as a friend - he is someone who will tell you what he feels - regardless whether you want to hear it or not and always does his best to steer you in the right direction.
As Belt Drive Betty, I am in the public a lot, and I have come to understand many things about being out there as a public figure - being a public person has a lot of highs and positives but it can also increase the risk of people who want to tear you down.
I am a pretty grounded individual these days for the most part (it wasn't always that way).
I still get excited and angry about things like this but I am learning how to deal with these scenarios much better - I have had some wonderful mentors and teachers showing me the way.
The CMA prayed for me, asking for the right words to be given to me to meet this accusation head on. To do it with dignity and grace, empathy and common sense.
I went away feeling back on track and balanced and went about the rest of my day focusing on the people I had come to see - the riders of our community. In no time I was back to being myself, laughing, hugging, enjoying my life, my community. That night, I went to my friend's, got on the computer, started writing, reading and researching stuff.
I left what I wrote over night, I went to bed thanking my higher power for helping me and had a great sleep. I got up at 5 am - re read what I had written and spent the next 4 and a half hours crafting a pair of letters.
The result of what I wrote made me feel content, balanced and grounded.
I am not happy being put in the position where until my name is cleared I will not work for the charities by selling their stuff for them - unless it is something I myself own and I am donating a portion of the proceeds to them I am not touching it.
I will not put myself in the position of handling anyone else's cash.
I refuse to to put the charities and causes that I work for in the position where they could be judged wrongly or ostracized for working with me.
I will still promote everything I can like the runs and the groups etc I just will not handle the funds - we will just have to figure out creative ways to help out - I just want to ensure I am totally distanced.
I for one feel that the only thing a person truly owns is your integrity and so I am contacting the proper people, through my attorney to force a forensic audit to prove that as a volunteer - I never took anything and was not the treasurer, and going to look into having an investigation done to prove that I did not threaten or ask anyone else to threaten people.
Once a forensic audit is done and my name is cleared I can go back to doing things differently but until then I want to look after the people around me.
The person who wrote this email sent it out to their riding club's membership of about 800-1000 people through their web site. Some of these people may know me and know who I am - others won't. The potential for rumor and innuendo is huge, not mention damage to my reputation and business and hence I have chosen to come right out and tell you what rocked my world and put me on an emotional roller coaster.
The person who wrote the email did send out a subsequent email stating that there was no proof of what was written and that it was simply the opinion of the writer but none the less - the damage has been done. It was no apology and for sure not a retraction - it was an apology to the riding club for using their email blast to put it out there though.
My good name is all I truly own and I want it restored.
I have come to learn that there are some people who will destroy the good things for others out of their need for control or a sense of importance, some are just hateful and some are just - I don't know - selfish? Is that a good word?
Sadly - this person has caused a whole lot of work and discomfort for a whole lot of people - the good news is - it is only an inconvenience. The truth will prevail and in that I believe.
Like everyday I invite you to get in on the topics of the day - I appreciate the feedback and the opportunity for growth and learning.
Belt Drive Betty
The biggest difference from the first year to this year is that the Capri did not afford one to have the entertainment that was offered. The stunt shows and the trials riding, the littles riding around - no, you couldn't do that over at the Capri.
Was it a bad thing that it was a smaller show this year? Yes and NO.
On the yes side - financially it had to be tough on the show host. Some of the spectators didn't like that it was a smaller show BUT - it did give people more time to visit, to really talk to the vendors - to mill about and truly enjoy the offerings.
Our booth was so busy and I want to thank Kim Newberry of the Rockin' the Valley Show 'n' Shine in Drayton Valley for not only being there to promote her community's show but pitching in to help out promoting the Busted Knuckle and the Biker's Discount Buying Club.
And my buddy Gracie for helping out as well - she did such an awesome job - and Barry, thanks for the place to hang my hat, I did miss you and your fabulous - famous hugs. I hope work is going well for you.
The reason that I can go to so many of these motorcycle shows and collect hugs - sell subscriptions to the news paper and promote all of the events, and everything we do at Belt Drive Betty is because my friends, my community help me out.
I repay them by paying it forward (among other things). It has a been a philosophy I have lived by all my life.
That brings me to the low point in my weekend.
Some one handed me a copy of an email, first thing in the morning - the person didn't want to do it but felt they had to - to inform and protect me. I read the letter and I started to cry. I was gutted. The letter was written by someone from a well known riding club and is also a part of a brand new non profit and this person accused me of misappropriation of funds and of threatening people.
It took me a few minutes to digest this accusation - I made a few phone calls, asked a few people I respect for some advice, I got angry, I was hurt and then I did what I always do - I sought help from my community.
I went to a member of the CMA and said I need a prayer circle. I am not religious person but rather a spiritual one - I understand the power of many minds thinking the same thing, being on the same energy level and the power that positive thought. I understand and believe in the power of the law of love, the law of attraction amongst other things.
The people from the Red Deer and Edmonton CMA chapters that I know are loving and ethical, kind and balanced people and they too are believers in the power of love.
The person I sought out is some one I love, admire and respect as a friend - he is someone who will tell you what he feels - regardless whether you want to hear it or not and always does his best to steer you in the right direction.
As Belt Drive Betty, I am in the public a lot, and I have come to understand many things about being out there as a public figure - being a public person has a lot of highs and positives but it can also increase the risk of people who want to tear you down.
I am a pretty grounded individual these days for the most part (it wasn't always that way).
I still get excited and angry about things like this but I am learning how to deal with these scenarios much better - I have had some wonderful mentors and teachers showing me the way.
The CMA prayed for me, asking for the right words to be given to me to meet this accusation head on. To do it with dignity and grace, empathy and common sense.
I went away feeling back on track and balanced and went about the rest of my day focusing on the people I had come to see - the riders of our community. In no time I was back to being myself, laughing, hugging, enjoying my life, my community. That night, I went to my friend's, got on the computer, started writing, reading and researching stuff.
I left what I wrote over night, I went to bed thanking my higher power for helping me and had a great sleep. I got up at 5 am - re read what I had written and spent the next 4 and a half hours crafting a pair of letters.
The result of what I wrote made me feel content, balanced and grounded.
I am not happy being put in the position where until my name is cleared I will not work for the charities by selling their stuff for them - unless it is something I myself own and I am donating a portion of the proceeds to them I am not touching it.
I will not put myself in the position of handling anyone else's cash.
I refuse to to put the charities and causes that I work for in the position where they could be judged wrongly or ostracized for working with me.
I will still promote everything I can like the runs and the groups etc I just will not handle the funds - we will just have to figure out creative ways to help out - I just want to ensure I am totally distanced.
I for one feel that the only thing a person truly owns is your integrity and so I am contacting the proper people, through my attorney to force a forensic audit to prove that as a volunteer - I never took anything and was not the treasurer, and going to look into having an investigation done to prove that I did not threaten or ask anyone else to threaten people.
Once a forensic audit is done and my name is cleared I can go back to doing things differently but until then I want to look after the people around me.
The person who wrote this email sent it out to their riding club's membership of about 800-1000 people through their web site. Some of these people may know me and know who I am - others won't. The potential for rumor and innuendo is huge, not mention damage to my reputation and business and hence I have chosen to come right out and tell you what rocked my world and put me on an emotional roller coaster.
The person who wrote the email did send out a subsequent email stating that there was no proof of what was written and that it was simply the opinion of the writer but none the less - the damage has been done. It was no apology and for sure not a retraction - it was an apology to the riding club for using their email blast to put it out there though.
My good name is all I truly own and I want it restored.
I have come to learn that there are some people who will destroy the good things for others out of their need for control or a sense of importance, some are just hateful and some are just - I don't know - selfish? Is that a good word?
Sadly - this person has caused a whole lot of work and discomfort for a whole lot of people - the good news is - it is only an inconvenience. The truth will prevail and in that I believe.
Like everyday I invite you to get in on the topics of the day - I appreciate the feedback and the opportunity for growth and learning.