License Plates for the disabled, Black Riders Suing businesses - what a mixed bag of news today

 The Minnesota Government has approved disabled license plates for motorcycles in their state.

 It is my hope that all states and Canadian Provinces will follow suit. It is about time that we see this forward movement in making life for those of us who are disabled a little more pleasant and convenient.

The NAACP is at it again - apparently two business have been named in a lawsuit for closing during Black Bike Week. The NAACP claims that these businesses operate during the Spring Harley Rally that is attended by predominately white riders.

The NAACP has been responsible for many such lawsuits claiming that white riders get preferential treatment. In the past the NAACP has sued the city and other businesses for discrimination and they have cited various incidents to back up their claims like the shutting down of streets while the Pagans and the Angels fought in 94 and have claimed that the H-D rally has a high incidence of crime and yet according to the news from WMBF the Black Bike Week Rally brings with it huge violence.

I am not sure why anyone would want to go to Myrtle Beach  - it is ranked as the 4th highest city for crime during spring break and reportedly has a high crime rate all year long.

As far as the NAACP and this series of lawsuits goes - these businesses that are being sued and others in the past have claimed their staff can't get to work and that patrons regularly walk out on their tabs and that they loose money during this particular event. I thought a small business could decide whom they wish to serve but apparently not. It sounds like the petty trespass act has no teeth for protection. I also thought a business was allowed to operate based on the business owners needs. I shake my head at this type of thing - it really does boggle my mind.

We have an update on the rider who was killed in Oshawa yesterday after he rear ended a vehicle and then was run over by a transport truck- thanks to Bruno of Ryders Roost for letting us know that Scotty - who was a fireman at Ontario Power Generation in Pickering, is the rider who was killed.

The Quebec Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales, Louis Dionne has said that he will appeal the superior court decision of Justice James Brunton who stayed charges against 31 people allegedly involved with the Hells Angels and the mega trials in Quebec following operation SharQc.

The Charest Government is under fire for it's lack of funding for prosecutors and the justice system as a whole. Begin Quote " "Often, the government approach is to invest in the investigation side. The SharQc police did great work. The problem is, we don't put in the same amount for the second part of the process - the criminal prosecution." End Quote

It appears to me that this is the problem in many regions of the country and it is not unique to Quebec. In BC many have been let off of charges because they could not obtain a trial in a reasonable length of time.  

I am in Oshawa and getting prepared to ride with the Perfect Pigs and thousands of riders to honour the men and women who fight for the rights of our country and those of other countries - our Veterans and fallen - the Heroes Highway Ride - Lou took me past where many of the events are taking place after the ride - it appears to be well organized and looks like it is going to be a heart warming, heart wrenching day.  The 401 is going to be closed and will have a police escort to ensure the safety of the riders - conservative estimates are 2500 - 4000 bikes and if mother Nature decides to be even remotely kind - there could be upwards of 6,000 riders! 

Here is some information on the ride:

THE ROUTE: From 10 Acre Truck Stop we will travel south
to Hwy. 2, then west along Hwy. 2 past C.F.B. TRENTON to
R.C.A.F. Road. Turning north we past the base before
joining the Highway of Heroes for our ride to the
Col. R.S. McLaughlin Armoury in the
City of Oshawa.

HIGHLIGHTS

Heroes Highway Ride has been honoured by Base Command to be included as part of their Annual Base Open House's Schedule of Events.
Details can be found by clicking the link below:

C.F.B. Trenton Open House

Friday Night June 3rd -Come on down to Centennial Park on the Trenton
Waterfront From 7 p.m. until about 10 p.m. We are pleased to announce a FREE concert Featuring Cadence Grace, she is a little Country and the other band is Carbon Copy and they're Rock n Roll

We are collecting Non-Perishable Food Items for the Local Food Banks
and / or accepting donations for the Afghan Memorial Wall

This free ride and rally is about showing respect and thanks to the men and women of the Canadian Military - if you are in the Toronto/Oshawa area - PLEASE come and support our troops!

As always I welcome your feedback and comments!

Have a fabulous Thursday everyone and I look forward to seeing a ton of Toronto and area riders out this weekend!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

And the court system fails again...

So, Operation SharQc in Quebec nailed 159 suspected bad guys and 29 get freed and 2 more who have not been arrested yet are also having their charges stayed.

Why is this happening?  Well, according to the Superior Court Justice; James Brunton, in his 48 page decision - he is angry with the delays, and cites the fact that the courts can not try that many people in a timely fashion - in fact only two court rooms can hold mega trials. The crown prosecutors are being taken to task for their handling of the charges. The crown is considering an appeal of the justice's decision.

So here we go again, more tax payers dollars flushed down the toilet and for what? Just like the G20 Summit - millions of dollars being wasted, people being charged and set free, I wonder if we can ever get our justice system which appears to be severely broken - mended or fixed...

I also read in the news feeds this morning - with much dismay, about the BS going on in Salmon Arm with the Stomp and Sturgis North. It appears to me that the council in Salmon Arm and the Agricultural Land Commission system there is unfairly targeting biker events for special treatment - the Stomp is still uncertain as to whether or not it will have a home for its 22 year old event and Sturgis North seems to be getting the run around from a council that originally agreed to the event - I am glad that Ray and his team seems to have a lot of plans B and C in their pocket - there are a number of communities on board for this mega event in Salmon Arm. I personally feel that what is happening in Salmon Arm is similar to the situation I experienced in Olds in 2007 - I am dismayed at the behaviour of this city council who won't return this reporters phone calls.

You see, the city of Salmon Arm would not back Sturgis North and their application with the  Agricultural Land Commission until they came up with the $40K for enhanced policing etc. now that they have the money in hand they are going to back the application for vendors to park/camp on Agricultural land - it seems that money is the driving force for the city. 
Now they want to change the noise bylaw extension... I am not sure I can speak intelligently on this topic until I hear from someone on council, but as I said, my two phone calls have gone unreturned.

I would like to understand better the challenges being faced by the Stomp - I am uncertain as to why a 22 year event that has raised many dollars for local charities hasn't been granted the use of land yet - it boggles my mind.

I know all too well the frustrations of being an event coordinator and dealing with politicians, police services and other commissions and groups and the hoops one must jump to get an event approved and the fact that new hoops keep getting added on even after an event is approved - it is maddening, and stressful. You - the riders who are going to attend the Stomp, Sturgis North or any other motorcycle event can do your part simply by having the common courtesy of not giving these events a black eye by being selfish or thoughtless - why do I say that? It is a hard, hard job to earn the right to host an event but it is easy to loose that right - so please - remember to leave the towns you attend events in - no matter where they are - in better shape than you found them - don't give people a reason to bitch and complain about our community and its conduct - it is only by being considerate of others that we as a community will see our events continue.

The Great Canadian Bike Rally in Merritt has just announced another act that will be performing. George Leach will be opening for Colin James at the Great Canadian Bike Rally, Saturday July 16, 2011 - read more about that in NEXT weeks Busted Knuckle - this week's paper which comes out tomorrow has some interesting product reviews and business showcases....

Another issue that I have been road blocked on a bit is with New Brunswick and Rigid motorcycles. I have been attempting to contact the minister - and the deputy minister for public safety to understand why a man whose motorcycle has been registered in that province for 3 years, a motorcycle the current owner NEVER MODIFIED from the time he bought it other than for paint and lights would now find his registration placed on hold until he has the frame examined by an engineer. You see from what I have learned to this point - the gent called NB Dept of Public Safety asking about a restoration project and when he spoke to an engineer about the requirements, the engineer reportedly told him that rigid frames were unsafe and he wouldn't approve it. When the gent doing the restoration expressed that he was riding a registered rigid in NB  and that there was nothing wrong with his bike a few days later his registration was held and now he can't ride. Ah, politics and personal opinion - I love to hate it as I am sure most do who have ever experienced bureaucratic run a rounds.

I know Ben of Trike Central in BC could bend our ear about that - right Ben?

I received a phone call early this morning from the Concord Police Department in New Hampshire. After the article that was in the news feeds about a week ago where in the law enforcement motorcycle club - also referred to as a gang - the Road Dawgs MC reportedly stole a vest from a shop keeper.

Lt Mitchell assures me that this case is being investigated and that once the investigation is complete he will advise me of the outcome.

I have spoken to Brian Blackden about this case and he has expressed that he has law suits filed against the NH Police and is going to pursue charges against the Road Dawgs MC pending the outcome of the investigation. Blackden has said he will keep us informed as to what transpires. 

Why am I as a Canadian interested in what has taken place in Concord New Hampshire? 

Well, firstly, if a motorcycle club is going around acting like thugs and giving the rest of the community a black eye - I am concerned. Secondly when that motorcycle club is also a law enforcement group, well that has me doubly concerned. Thirdly, we have Chapters of the Road Dawgs MC here in Canada, so now I want to know way more about this club.

Our community gets profiled by this same group of people during their day jobs and if in their personal lives they are going around and acting worse than any of the clubs they claim are comprised of wholly bad people, well I then have questions. The hypocrisy of their conduct makes me wonder a number of things - I am sure many of you can read my mind on what my inquiring mind is wondering...

There is a whack of other news out there today including news on two riders from Vernon who were injured over the weekend and a rider from New Brunswick who was killed in a crash with a vehicle that was leaving a driveway.  Keep yourself up to date with what is happening in our community by visiting www.beltdrivebetty.com

I am getting packed to catch a plane to Toronto so that this weekend I can ride in the Heroes Highway Ride hosted by Lou DeVouono and the Perfect Pigs MC - I look forward to seeing MANY thousands of riders out - reportedly this ride is expecting as many as 4000!

As always - I welcome your comments and feedback!

You have a fabulous HUMP DAY folks - I will talk to you all tomorrow.

AND PLEASE - Ride safe - remember everyone around you is blind and or texting so ride like they are out to get you - be defensive, not offensive - only use your pipes to prevent one from drifting in to you or from running into you from behind. If loud pipes are to continue to save lives - they must be used judiciously - not for showing off but as an addition to your defensive driving skills.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

One day home....

I arrived home last night after a 10 day swing through the Okanagan - what a ride!

I put on about 3500 KM and although I had a mixed bag of weather I rode home with a song in my heart and a spirit that feels restored. Man did I need that ride.

It is true what they say that sometimes it takes more than a full tank of fuel to help you to think straight again!

I witnessed a lot of wonderful things and some that were not so wonderful. One of the wonderful things I witnessed was Kim Mitchell at the Rock 'n' Ride in Kelowna at Kreater Custom Motorcycles West. Jeff and the gang put on a TOP DRAWER event and I have to say that if you weren't there - SUX to BE YOU!

I will have a full report on the event for next Thursday's paper - I will be writing it while I sit on a plane to Toronto tomorrow. That's right - I am home one day and head off to the Hero's Highway Ride - I can't wait and yet - how the heck am I gonna get caught up on the paperwork? Thank goodness for Freda from the Paperwork Artist who has been working with me remotely to ensure I get my books done every month - if it wasn't for her - I'd be hooped!

I have to thank my friend Diana Stratton and her room mates Leen & Michelle for the most enjoyable time I spent at their home. Ruthless Ruthie & Whipper - thank you for the hospitality, Arlene & Chris - thank you for dinner and the hugs, Chance Camino from the Riverfront Pub for the hospitality, Davina - love you girl! Dirty Girl - glad I got to see you for your birthday - love you woman.

Rachael from Joe Schmuck's in Sicamous - thank you for meeting me on your day off!

Ray from Sturgis North - thanks for the tour of the Sturgis North Pub - formerly the Old Dog Pub in Salmon Arm - congrats on all your hard work - I know that many are excited to see this event become successful and have a long life! 

Darryl at Wheel 2 Wheel Motorcycle Care - good seeing you at Slack's, sorry I didn't get the chance to stop at the shop.

I got the chance to see DeeDee & Bernie at Harleywood - man I love that shop! We have 2 new business members in the Okanagan - Route 97 Motorcycle Tours & Sales and the Riverside Blues Barn - a place you can camp during Sturgis North or any of the other north Okanagan  Events.

I got a hug and some kick a$$ cookies from Jeff at the Falkland Pub and ran in to David W Page from Investors Group - David supplies our weekly newspaper with a column on financial planning for BC riders - in Kamloops at the Flying J - - yes this trip was busy, hectic and rewarding!

There are many other businesses I wanted to stop in and see but didn't get the chance - just not enough time. I wished there were more of me - can anyone say cloning time?

Elks Motel in Keremeos, Osoyoos Nails & Ink, Creek Edge B & B in Summerland and the Log Inn Pub in Avola - I would have loved to be able to see everyone - sadly that was not to be!

On Sunday night I wanted to stop in to Cafe Mondo in Jasper for supper - we have 5 RFBA®

businesses in Jasper - but by the time I got in they were closed - that was too bad, cause I could taste the chicken pita I had a hankering for - I ended up riding in to Hinton and stayed over night with friends and then met with Alanna from ArtAtude who is designing some promotional products for me!

After a cold hearted ride from Hinton to Grande Cache (6 degrees and rain accompanied by strong winds) I was grateful for the hot corn chowder soup and hot fresh bread at the Grande Cache Hotel - the last 185 KM home we spent in relative warmth and sunshine - a perfect way to end a 10 day road trip!

The Rider Friendly Businesses® that I have linked to in this blog post are all here and ready to serve you and it is because of them that we can offer so many free services to the riding community - so whenever possible - please support those who support us!

Oh and along the route to Grande Prairie I used the Never Ride Alone service from Intercon Messaging - what a fantastic service they provide our members - it was extra piece of mind knowing someone was keeping track of me out there!  Remember - Intercon donates their service to our members FREE OF CHARGE - so use it - you never know when you could use the help when your belt breaks or a tire goes on you or a deer suddenly appears - using the Never Ride Alone Program makes sure someone is looking for you in the event you don't get to your- destination when you are supposed to - it could be the difference between life and death - literally.  1-866-765-6718 is the number to call for the BDB Club Rider Hotline & the Never Ride Alone Program!

I look forward to sharing all of the road stories I have accumulated - there are some good ones too!

Have a safe Tuesday everyone - there are a ton of stories in the news on www.beltdrivebetty.com - 

I hope you will check them out and stay informed!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com