Belt Drive Betty's Blog

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

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">from the Jakarta Globe </a>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 be on the back of a motorcycle for any reason they will need to ride side saddle. 
 
According to the article:    
 
Suaidi Yahya, the mayor of Lhokseumawe told the Jakarta Globe: 
“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.” End quote. 
 
Making these "delicate creatures" ride side saddle is safer - protects them in some way? 
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... 
 
Because of some outdated religious thinking, women are going to die because they have to ride side saddle or suffer if they can not afford a car by having to walk. 
 
The planned bylaw is part of the overall goal of preventing women from wearing pants in public. 
 
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... 
 
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! 
 
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... 
 
In other news: 
 
In Australia: <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-">2 Piaggio 500 cc three wheel motorcycles were taken off the road</a> 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. 
 
In Minnesota: <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/indian/25247-polaris-rides-atv-and-snowmobile-success-in-bid-to-revive-indian-motorcycles">Polaris is excited about the relaunch of Indian Motorcycles</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. 
 
In Gear news: New<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/clothinggear/25238-anti-concussion-helmet-debuts-at-supercross"> anti concussion helmets</a> are going to make a debut at the Supercross track in Anehiem. 
 
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/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> where our work is keeping You informed! 
 
Our <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/show-n-shine">6th Annual Beat the PMS Blues Online Show 'n' Shine</a> has begun accepting entries! We have a ton of wonderful prizes from a variety of sponsors - everything from gear to books! 
 
The <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/contests/1695-contests/25177-name-belt-drive-bettys-beaver-mascot-contest">"Name Belt Drive Betty's Beaver mascot" contest</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/">Bikers are Animals</a> book series - <a href="http://jamiolsworld.com/">Paul Jamiol</a> has created for me. 
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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/">Heroes Highway Ride & Rally </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! 
 
Be sure to stop by our booth - you can buy/order your <a href="http://www.bdbstore.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1814">"And I Must Go!"</a> tee shirts, <a href="http://bdbstore.comhttp//www.bdbstore.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1814">"Belt Drive Betty & the Busted Knuckle Chronicles"</a> tee shirts and see the beginning of our collectibles line. 
 
You will also be able to place your order for the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/rider-friendly">2013 Little Black Book</a>, get three free Apps for your cell phone and renew or get a subscription to the newspaper! 
 
And then there is the annual HUG CHALLENGE - Calgary has won two years in a row! 
 
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! 
 
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. 
 
Lots of reasons to get out and ogle motorcycles folks - see you at a show near you! 
 
I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and by email! 
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Have a great week and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! 
Belt Drive Betty 
Editor & Rider