Saskatchewan Riders - teaching us all a lesson in unity

Saskatchewan gets a bad rap as a place to live and ride.

The infrastructure in the province is deplorable, everyone in the world seems to think the place is flat and boring when that is far from the case.

People poke fun of Saskatchewan for a variety of reasons but I am here to tell you this...

In just a few days this provinces riders have united in a way that the rest of the country could stand up and take notice of.

While they have an enormous amount to do in a short period of time, the riders are getting the job done.

The have been FLOODING SGI with petitions, letters, phone calls and emails.
They have been getting media attention and they are gathering strength in numbers.

These people are united in a way that I have not seen happen in a long while and I hope that they can sustain it because we here in Canada need a role model on what being a lobby force can look like and accomplish.

I, like many riders will be waiting to hear the outcome of the town hall meetings, and getting the response to my questions on behalf of R.A.G.E.

We need to support this group if in any way possible - buy a patch, donate, join their Facebook Group - offer advice, support or funds...

These guys and dolls should be looked on as a huge inspiration - it can be done, we can unite, we can work for better solutions than the ones that are too often forced upon us.

We have a new fight brewing in Southern Alberta where recreational riding lands are being threatened and low and behold - SASKATCHEWAN has almost gotten their law passed with NO PUBLIC INPUT.

If Southern Alberta riders can muster the same kind of unity of numbers and willingness to put forth a little effort, we might just be on a roll.

I find it difficult to understand why Edmonton area riders are not united in challenging discrimination of riders, but perhaps, just perhaps, we can re ignite the passion to right wrongs...by seeing others in united action.

There are many other great stories in the news feeds today - please visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed to read about what may affect your day or life...

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails - laughter - levity - it's needed today!

For all you in the Grande Prairie AB region - David Wilcox is on stage tonight at Dukes - $45 per ticket - doors open at 8pm! Hope to see you there!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

First Interview with SGI's Don Thompson

I had my first interview with Don Thompson the VP of products for SGI. (Saskatchewan Government Insurance)

As many of you have probably heard, our brothers and sisters in Saskatchewan are up against the hard wall of massive rate hikes if SGI's request is met with favour. (Up to 400%)

Statistics as we all know can be generated in any way you want them to appear.

You can compare year over year "accident" payouts for a category and say they have gone up 15% and not say that the group affected grew by 100%.

So instead of doing the usual type of interview with the man, I decided to simply ask for the facts, the hard numbers and guess what. I had to email him with a list of questions to get answers on and the facts sent back to me.

I had asked members of R.A.G.E. (Riders Against Government Exploitation) for a list of questions they wanted answers to and then did my best to ask as many of their questions as possible.

Here is the letter of request that I sent out following my brief discussion with Mr. Thompson.

Dear Don,

Thank you for speaking with me today,

Here are the questions and the answer or information I seek.

Q: How many motorcycle claims were there is 2010? 2011?

Q: How much is the average motorcycle claim? 

Q: How much is the cost of the claims?

IE - What is the amount for the claim as opposed to the costs to administer the claim.

Q: What was the total amount paid out on motorcycle claims? We hear that $9 million was the short fall - what is the total?

Q: What the increase is for motorcycle accidents/injuries/costs over the last 10 years

Q: Cars, pickups and SUV's/Mini Vans account for how many road users?  

Q: And what percentage of claims?

Q: What is the average claim for an auto collision.

Q: How much is the cost of the claims?

IE - What is the amount for the claim as opposed to the costs to administer the claim.

Comment: In Alberta we have PL/PD coverage that you can purchase which offers section B benefits for wage loss and out of pocket expenses.

Q:Why are Saskatchewan riders not offered a similar option?

Comment: There are 165 claims involving bicycles according to TIAS Report

Q: What portion of these claims go back to motorcyclists assuming it is divided by all 31 classes to bear the cost. 

Q: Is the actual number of bicycle claims higher or lower?

Comment: You claim the 53% of motorcyclists are at fault in collisions.

Request: What data can I see to verify that fact?

Request: How many motorcycles were involved with Animal collisions?

Request: How many motorcyclists were hit in left hand turning situations?

Q: Has SGI considered the damage to the motorcycle industry, the dealership, the staff if no motorcycles were sold?

Q: Has SGI considered the impact to the environment if there are fewer motorcycles and more large resource using vehicles on the road?

The documents I included in my request so that we were dealing with the same information are:

I am looking forward to the man's email back to me and will give you what he has to say when I have it.

The questions I did get answers to where:

Q: Does the Ticket Surcharge go into the Auto Fund?
A: Yes.

Q: According to the TIAS Report there are 11,747 motorcycles registered and yet you state 25,000 motorcycles in your radio comments.

A: The number of 11,747 is called Earned Exposures

Definition:
EARNED EXPOSURES

Exposures are a measure of what is being insured. For example, an insured vehicle is an exposure. The term earned means that the exposures were in fact at risk of a loss in the period in question. For example, if a vehicle is insured as of July 1, 2008, then during the 2008 Accident Year, this would represent an exposure of 1/2 to the insurance company.

Q: What about exploring mandatory rider training and giving discounts to this who take training?
A: It is something that has been discussed and has some possibilities.

According to Mr. Thompson the TAIS Report is not the data they use for determining claims so I have to wait until he can provided the data that SGI uses.

That's what is fit to report right now - when I have more I will be passing it along.

Have a great day everyone

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

R.A.G.E. - Riders Against Government Exploitation

Saskatchewan Riders are ANGRY and rightfully so.

Their government run insurance company, SGI, wants to increase insurance on motorcycles and trust me, this is NOT your ordinary increase: Click on the image for a larger size.

Click on the image for a larger size.

In many cases - the cost of insurance for motorcycles in Saskatchewan is proposed to over double!
If you had a 1982 and older SPORT motorcycle and you has an 1101 CC Engine in it - your rate would go from 1,001 - 4,309

DUAL SPORT bikes will see an almost consistent $1,200 increase in the same category.

In the touring category the increases are all over the place and do not appear to make much sense.

Upon reading the 2010 Annual Report from SGI the stats do not support a rate increase to riders - period!

Even though the riding community has grown by a minimum of 4,000 riders since 2006, (11,767 in 2010 compared to 7,811 in 2006) You will note that save one year (2007) where there were 8 fatalities - the death rate of SK motorcyclists has fluctuated from 2-5 since 1994 - the increase in injuries and property damage only claims has not kept pace to the growth.

The anger was swift from riders who have already organized a group on Facebook called R.A.G.E. and are forming a non-profit.

Riders Against Government Exploitation They can be found by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/248400351962414/

If any of you out there are interested in helping Saskatchewan's riding community - they will be accepting donations and they will be needing a lawyer/lobbyist.
For other Canadian Provinces like BC, Manitoba and Quebec who also have government run insurance - this is one fight you need to keep your eyes peeled to - you may have need of the knowledge that is gained.

There is a TON of other valuable reading in the news feeds today at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed!  Visit our site to stay on top of what's happening in motorcycling.

Breaking news:
This just in from our RFBA Business partner Dalton Timmis Insurance - Home for Chrome:

Jevco sold to Intact, they will only take factory-built trikes. This pretty much means that the only trike they will accept is the Harley Tri-Glide. They will not take Goldwing or regular Harley conversions, even if they are a professionally installed Lehmann or Roadmaster kit.

I'll have more for you a little later this morning and will post it in our news feeds.
I leave you with some funnies because after that depressing news - we need to laugh just to stay sane.

Have a good day...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider