A Balancing Act

A Balancing Act

I got some feedback on my post about the post regarding SGI and the fact that SGI is calling for mandatory class 5 license before you can get a motorcycle license and that they are calling for a minimum gear requirement for new riders.

I did not know that my asking questions or stating my personal opinion was doing harm or making it come across as if I am the law and final word on a topic.

I did not know that asking for your thoughts and opinions on issues was a one sided public forum created without conversation from others.

I ended my article yesterday , like I do most days, with this:

Begin Quote: What are your thoughts on minimum gear requirements - people being people, do we need to be more clear about what constitutes minimum gear?

What should that minimum be?
I'd love your comments and feedback - tell me what you think of mandatory gear and mandatory training and lets hear what insurance is like in your province. End Quote

I wanted to start a dialogue but the dialogue I got, was sure not what I expected.

Although this blog has a comment section, an upset reader decided to send me an email, here is part of the comment I got:

Begin Quote "Sometimes you have to listen instead of making your views law and order.. you or the police do not run my life.. so if it does more harm to the greater good than good, just shut the heck up before you start something you complain about frequently in a one-sided public forum you have created without conversation from others...your comments sometimes stir up the same shit that Australia is going through.... leave well enough alone..."End Quote

It's a balancing act - trying to report on the news - to keep people informed, and be a rider at the same time, a person with opinions and viewpoints based on personal experiences.

I have never once said that I have all the answers or that I think I am right all the time. I have always been willing to have my mind changes by thoughtful comment, facts and dialogue.

I have always looked upon this job - reporting on the news of our community, as a give and take process, as a way to start dialogue and get people thinking and talking about the various issues our community faces. 

I can only imagine what kind of balancing act it must be to take in the considerations of thousands of individuals, all with different experiences, fears, perceptions and knowledge when trying to implement policies around public safety and around your money (IE Insurance costs).

If you are comfortable with the risks you take when riding without good gear, that's your choice.

I am pro choice, but I am also an advocate of paying for your choice.

My insurance is high enough thank you very much.

I have always said a person should be able to buy special insurance to cover their risk choice and have a special sticker on their plate that says they have paid for their right to choose so the cops have no reason to stop them.  

While many who ride exercise common sense and act like adults, I want to remind the writer of the above missive, that we have web sites like the People of WalMart for a reason.

We have TV shows like Canada's Worst Driver for a reason - because sadly, not everyone has "common" sense...

Here is a link to the SGI report for those who care to read it and see what is happening in Saskatchewan:
http://www.sgi.sk.ca/pdf/Motorcycle-Review-Committee-Report-on-Findings.pdf

I firmly believe that having dialogue is the first step to coming to a meeting of the minds, or finding better solutions to issues...and sometimes it means finding solutions that might never have seen the light of day if we hadn't talked to each other.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions - will we agree?
Maybe yes - maybe no.

Have a great weekend and if you are lucky enough to be riding, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider