The strange things other cultures do to women who ride motorcycles...

<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is an article out of Indonesia - <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/news/international-news/286-news-international-/25249-aceh-town-to-ban-female-passengers-from-straddling-motorcycles"><span style="color: red;">from the Jakarta Globe </span></a>that has my dander up.</span></b><br /> <b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The article expresses that the administration of the town of Lhokseumawe intends to prevent women from straddling a motorcycle - in other words if they want/need to be on the back of a motorcycle for any reason they will need to ride side saddle.</span></i><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>According to the article:  <span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Suaidi Yahya, the mayor of Lhokseumawe told the Jakarta Globe:</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“We want to save women from things that will cause them to violate Shariah law. We wish to honor women with this ban, because they are delicate creatures.” <b>End quote.</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Making these "delicate creatures" ride side saddle is safer - protects them in some way? </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In effect - this will also ban them from being able to ride their own motorcycle because they are not allowed to sit astride a bike - so if the woman has no other means of transportation - she will have to walk...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Because of some outdated religious thinking, women are going to die because they have to ride side saddle or suffer if they can not afford a car by having to walk.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>The planned bylaw is part of the overall goal of preventing women from wearing pants in public.</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I find this whole thing offensive and yet, I realize that this is the way of life these people know... I know one thing - I would not fare well in a country that told me how to dress or that I couldn't ride my own machine because I am female...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I get offended enough when I am told I can not wear my vest with a patch on the back or that I have to turn a motorcycle related tee shirt inside out if I want to go into a bar...telling me I have to wear a skirt would send me off the deep end! Telling my I could not ride my own machine would see me in the funny farm - I am sure!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How do you feel about this law? I realize India is a long ways away and that their laws there do not really affect us here, but none the less I am asking for your opinion...</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 Australia: <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/news/international-news/286-news-international-/25250-ambulance-victoria-motorbikes-taken-off-the-road-following-crash-as-brakes-failed-"><span style="color: red;">2 Piaggio 500 cc three wheel motorcycles were taken off the road</span></a> </span>after the brakes failed on one causing a crash.  These motorcycles were ridden by Australian paramedics in a trial and they are said to have been the latest in a string of faults and safety concerns paramedics had raised since the trial began in 2011.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Minnesota: <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/indian/25247-polaris-rides-atv-and-snowmobile-success-in-bid-to-revive-indian-motorcycles"><span style="color: red;">Polaris is excited about the relaunch of Indian Motorcycles</span></a> - they are completely overhauling the iconic brand with an eye to bringing the classic style of the Indian into a new century. They have big plans based on all of the learning they have done with their very successful brand - Victory.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Gear news: New<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/clothinggear/25238-anti-concussion-helmet-debuts-at-supercross"><span style="color: red;"> anti concussion helmets</span></a> are going to make a debut at the Supercross track in Anehiem.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are other articles that may be of interest to you that have come in over the holidays - check them out at <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/"><span style="color: red;">www.beltdrivebetty.com</span></a> where our work is keeping You informed!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/show-n-shine"><span style="color: red;">6th Annual Beat the PMS Blues Online Show 'n' Shine</span></a> has begun accepting entries! We have a ton of wonderful prizes from a variety of sponsors - everything from gear to books!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/contests/1695-contests/25177-name-belt-drive-bettys-beaver-mascot-contest"><span style="color: red;">"Name Belt Drive Betty's Beaver mascot" contest</span></a> will open on the 4th - help me name this sweet lady that renowned cartoonist ad author of the <a href="http://www.bikersareanimals.com/"><span style="color: red;">Bikers are Animals</span></a> book series - <a href="http://jamiolsworld.com/"><span style="color: red;">Paul Jamiol</span></a> has created for me.</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERPhZwfZ-9q5OG62wSgEqZZAB0ZzW1kEuiPP4__N5t3TbZyOS1Kb4aKe8LLfBOx5hEDyHAipmdGQDmM4_P5VasVgZdWdBraWdFobNeXVST7bGgWq3IJxdA7U6Umi4IqBDMSIy/s1600/Beaver+standing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERPhZwfZ-9q5OG62wSgEqZZAB0ZzW1kEuiPP4__N5t3TbZyOS1Kb4aKe8LLfBOx5hEDyHAipmdGQDmM4_P5VasVgZdWdBraWdFobNeXVST7bGgWq3IJxdA7U6Umi4IqBDMSIy/s320/Beaver+standing.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwr2DlM1uzyBmrWkFi0zdYwOUaJbgddr-29PZ3-y7zkX5u5uOjQfV4ul6LGKo_3Exz_RfXuNNXTdn6tJD6tMllAvOwSgpW9-9Ra7mdlvF5i_RBqciDdfpK7GyVyDrEBQkatHv/s1600/My+beaver.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwr2DlM1uzyBmrWkFi0zdYwOUaJbgddr-29PZ3-y7zkX5u5uOjQfV4ul6LGKo_3Exz_RfXuNNXTdn6tJD6tMllAvOwSgpW9-9Ra7mdlvF5i_RBqciDdfpK7GyVyDrEBQkatHv/s320/My+beaver.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwr2DlM1uzyBmrWkFi0zdYwOUaJbgddr-29PZ3-y7zkX5u5uOjQfV4ul6LGKo_3Exz_RfXuNNXTdn6tJD6tMllAvOwSgpW9-9Ra7mdlvF5i_RBqciDdfpK7GyVyDrEBQkatHv/s1600/My+beaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I will be heading out today to attend the Calgary Motorcycle Show - then it will be off to Edmonton and Vancouver. In Ontario - Lou DeVuono of the <a href="http://heroshighwayride.com/"><span style="color: red;">Heroes Highway Ride & Rally </span></a>will be running the Busted Knuckle's booth at the International Show in Toronto this weekend and next weekend in Ottawa at the International show there!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Be sure to stop by our booth - you can buy/order your <a href="http://www.bdbstore.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1814"><span style="color: red;">"And I Must Go!"</span></a> tee shirts, <a href="http://bdbstore.comhttp//www.bdbstore.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1814"><span style="color: red;">"Belt Drive Betty & the Busted Knuckle Chronicles"</span></a> tee shirts and see the beginning of our collectibles line.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You will also be able to place your order for the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/rider-friendly"><span style="color: red;">2013 Little Black Book</span></a>, get three free Apps for your cell phone and renew or get a subscription to the newspaper!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And then there is the annual HUG CHALLENGE - Calgary has won two years in a row!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So for all of you western riders - come on out to the Calgary, Edmonton or Vancouver shows - give me a hug - let's swap some road stories and start 2013 off with a bang!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For you in Ontario - hugging Lou or shaking his hand is like a proxy - which means I will get a ton of hugs when I see him next - which if all goes well will be at either the Spring or National show.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lots of reasons to get out and ogle motorcycles folks - see you at a show near you!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and by email!</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyMhWauIVPn2-LBoSe8k74XYCiNSiVMyh2H_Hxu5poyUIziSXIOs2bluF11zXfc9CG-OUyKtmg7xmEA5BoXRzJA8C2sh6yFXTP_YzaL8qQfJUZ74JOwj1bGcZRB7duvAn0Gvz/s1600/28068_502899939750890_1951701706_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyMhWauIVPn2-LBoSe8k74XYCiNSiVMyh2H_Hxu5poyUIziSXIOs2bluF11zXfc9CG-OUyKtmg7xmEA5BoXRzJA8C2sh6yFXTP_YzaL8qQfJUZ74JOwj1bGcZRB7duvAn0Gvz/s320/28068_502899939750890_1951701706_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4DnvtLkpp94sPUZEJYS7Xd3FxIjWEF_woFIJ-_St4L3k12pI3GnWMjST0dsQVHOEG_t4nRfIUct3LRnY4yKcGtxWC7a90kwO69bJzAF4m3bAtTnZ_TblF2uNHHRSb_PRzyqZ/s1600/548094_495556183822156_910219921_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4DnvtLkpp94sPUZEJYS7Xd3FxIjWEF_woFIJ-_St4L3k12pI3GnWMjST0dsQVHOEG_t4nRfIUct3LRnY4yKcGtxWC7a90kwO69bJzAF4m3bAtTnZ_TblF2uNHHRSb_PRzyqZ/s320/548094_495556183822156_910219921_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDAFBet7fFrxGP1td2TvQtB44UdNvr78KvnuzTROClzKgqwpFGWj_JHvEtO9nNKIDrDe8m-o8nRnrn5NiXjTHGrsovccX_RHbLd5ueBNWm19E2lmJUYddY1S1dUB8LYkHHWOt/s1600/533536_482395188480158_1577691832_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDAFBet7fFrxGP1td2TvQtB44UdNvr78KvnuzTROClzKgqwpFGWj_JHvEtO9nNKIDrDe8m-o8nRnrn5NiXjTHGrsovccX_RHbLd5ueBNWm19E2lmJUYddY1S1dUB8LYkHHWOt/s320/533536_482395188480158_1577691832_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div> <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;">Have a great week and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Editor & Rider</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>

The strange things other cultures do to women who ride motorcycles...

Belt Drive 7 6:43 AM

There is an article out of Indonesia - from the Jakarta Globe that has my dander up. The article expresses that the administration of the town of Lhokseumawe intends to prevent women from straddling a motorcycle - in other words if they want/need to … Read more »

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