I had asked what people thought of 1%ers a few days ago and got a comment from one reader who suggested that those who think they are bad ass doing more harm than those who choose the 1%er life and yah know what - I think he's on to something.
Here is Bonecutter's rant on the topic:
Begin Quote: Maybe a good question would be how much damage do the some of other 99% of riders do to the perception of bikers?
Go to a bike show. Watch some of the guys from the mom and pop clubs slip on a leather jacket or vest and suddenly start walking around like they just grew a set of biceps.
Go to a pub night and watch the same people indulging in juvenile antics before they go home and take off their "bad boy" costumes. Before they go back to their day jobs and their regular lives.
If riders don't want to be associated with that image then leave the leathers, the vests, the patches - leave all of it in the store. Put on your colourful Joe Rocket gear, take off the loud pipes, leave the attitude at home and enjoy your ride. There's nothing wrong with that.
But so long as people get a thrill out of living out their idea of a bad boy image - we're going to keep contributing to the problem. End Quote
Today in the news we have not one but three dumb asses who truly do more harm to the rider lifestyle than most 1%ers ever could...
A motorcyclist going the wrong way down the highway doing 101 MPH
A motorcyclist doing a wheelie at 103MPH
And the dumb ass of the day award goes to a dad, riding with his two small children, zipping in and out of traffic - NOT ONE OF THEM wearing a helmet.
Yup - we are our own worst enemy! Thanks for the reality check there Bonecutter!
There is a TON of news in the feeds today, visit www.beltdrivebetty.com - where our work is keeping You informed, to see what might affect your day or life as a rider...
I close off with a few funnies - cause laughter is sorely needed this morning. Thanks to all my wonderfully zany friends on Facebook who shared with me...
Have a fabulous Thursday and PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you...
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
An article today in the Chronicle Herald tells us how the Parti Quebecois removed the Canadian flag from its spot in the legislature: Begin Quote -
as members of the pro-independence Parti Quebecois took the oath of office Monday.
The removal of the Maple Leaf was part of a long-standing seesaw ritual: it had been long absent in the legislature but was restored nine years ago when Jean Charest’s Liberals took office and placed it next to the Quebec flag at the Speaker’s chair in the building’s ceremonial chamber.
It was gone again Monday as the PQ’s 54-member caucus took the oath of office in the ornate old upper chamber, known as the Red Room, where the Quebec Fleur-de-lis was once again standing alone. End Quote...
As much as I love this country, as much as I have family ties to Quebec, as much as I want to see our country united, perhaps it is time that the rest of Canada vote on whether or not we want to keep Quebec as a part of Canada.
In so many ways Canada would be better off without the bully that is the PQ. We would be poorer for loosing the beauty that is Quebec but the nasty politics of that province do so much to hurt our pride and unity that perhaps it is time to give up the dream of a united Canada...
I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on this topic...
Should the rest of Canada ask Quebec to either join us properly in being Canadian or simply ask them to leave?
No transfer payments - get your own currency...what say you?
In other news:
In BC, a rider is in serious condition after a crash that closed the Massey Tunnel
In Manitoba, no charges will be laid in a crash that killed a rider near Shoal Lake
In Ontario, a 38 year old Brampton man is dead after a crash in Caledon
In St Louis Mo, the Ride of the Century had some serious troubles
In Australia, they are considering legalizing lane splitting or filtering to ease congestion
There is a ton of news in the feeds today that may affect your day or life as a rider, to see what's happening around the block or around the world visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed...
I leave you with a few giggles shared with me by friends on Facebook and via email and after the PQ's latest stunt I think we all need a giggle...
Have a safe and happy Tuesday,
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
Lat week I asked you how you felt about the 1% community, there were no responses, so either you chose not to respond, or no one read the article.
The 1% community influences law enforcement and government when it comes to the treatment of the you and I - the everyday ordinary rider get treated.
Last week an event in Oregon was shut down because of the Mongols and the Angels having a dispute.
This week, there is news that a prominent immigration lawyer named Margaret Wong is suing the US government on behalf of the Hells Angels over it's policy of denying entry visas to members of the group.
Begin Quote: "Wong and Kentucky lawyer Matthew Robinson are representing the motorcycle club in a lawsuit filed last month in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. The suit says Hells Angels members have been denied travel visas after the Homeland Security and State departments designated the club as a "known criminal organization."
The suit says the blanket designation is unwarranted and violates federal immigration law." End Quote
Regardless of what your personal views are on who the Hells Angels are, if governments can deny entry into a country based on the fact you are a member - and you have no criminal record...do you think it could happen to you?
I have a taped interview with a German biker who visited this country about a year ago. In that interview he expresses that he travelled through 3 international airports and their security before landing in Toronto. In Toronto he was strip searched and grilled over his tee shirts and what they meant - why? Because he chose to wear his leathers sooner than pack them in his bag and pay for the extra weight. He expressed that the officers who interrogated him, insisted his tee shirts were gang related and not event related as he insisted they were.
So - while the Hells Angels and others of their ilk may be the cause of the grief many of us go through, the RCMP and other police services are the ones who perpetrate the profiling of our community. I had spoken to MP Chris Warkenton a while back regarding the issue of police profiling and he said he would never ask or insist they stop profiling because it is a valuable tool. Hmmm - I wonder.
So - what are your thoughts on this fine Monday morning?
Is profiling a good tool for the police to use?
Are the Hells Angels right to be suing the US government over denying visitor visas?
How do you feel about tourists who are not members of 1% motorcycle clubs being strip searched over the apparel they wear?
I would love to know!
In other news:
A rider in Edmonton is in serious condition after a crash last night on Groat Road.
Also in Edmonton, a plea is being sent out for Edmontonians to endure the noise generated by the upcoming Toy Run.
The Barber Vintage Festival is dubbed the fastest growing celebration of vintage motorcycles and is scheduled for October 12 – 14, 2012 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala.
In Sports - Valentino Rossi finished second, 4 second behind Jorge Lorenzo this weekend. It was Rossi's best finish in two years!
There is lots of other articles in the news feeds that may be of interest to you as a rider, check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed!
I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails...
Have a fabulous Monday and please - ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
