The Discrimination Begins - Power of the People Pt. 2

The 2014 riding season has not gotten underway in many regions on Canada yet, but our lifestyle and machines are already under attack.

Saskatoon is moving for a motorcycle noise bylaw with a 92 decibel level and they will be using the controversial J2825 SAE Test to measure the noise from your motorcycle.

The 92 decibel J2825 Motorcycle Only Noise Test created by the Society of Automotive Engineers for the MIC and MMIC is slowly spreading across the country.

Watch the video to see how its conducted:

Something YOU NEED to know about the J2825 and your motorcycle's insurance:

If the officer/s conducting the test damages your bike, your insurance WILL NOT cover the damage and your only recourse is to sue the officer/s, not the police service but the officer/s. 

DOCUMENT YOUR STOP with video and get the officers names and badge numbers on paper.

In Atlantic Canada, we have the City of Bathurst that does not want motorcycles or our ilk in their community. They passed the discriminatory motorcycle only noise bylaw in 2011, the same bylaw has been passed in Edmonton and many other communities across the country. Riders in Atlantic Canada have formed the Atlantic Motorcycle Coalition to stop the spread of this discriminatory practise brought down on the community by the manufacturers. In Edmonton there is MODEL to help you fight your noise tickets, but they can also provide information to you or a rights group you belong to that can help you no matter which province or territory you live in. For you riders in Saskatchewan, you can contact RAGE if you need help. Canadian Riders are not alone in being singled out for special attention either. In the state of Illinois motorcycle poker runs are now required to pay a $400.00 fee to hold a poker run and each stop must buy a special license worth $150.00 We all know about the bikie crack down in Australia and how innocent riders are being detained and harassed all in the name of getting rid of the 1 percenters. I will say it again, as the discrimination begins - The Power of the People can affect change, but not unless you join an association or group and provide them with documentation on the situation you face.  (Read my blog post from yesterday to get the links and information on the various riders rights organizations in Canada.) Unless you make your voice heard by people who can actually do something it's just whining & snivelling. And we know that whining and snivelling is NOT going to get us anywhere,

Here are a few ideas on what you can do this riding season to protect our way of life: #1 - Self Policing - not always a popular option, but turning your back on the show offs who ruin it for the rest of us is one thing we as a community can do easily.  Don't give the attention seeker the attention they are looking for. IGNORE THEM, SHAKE YOUR HEAD and TURN YOUR BACK ON THEM.  Laughing, encouraging or cheering for them only feeds their ego and eggs them on and that is ALL bad for the rest of us. #2 - Respect - remember we have to share our cities and communities, we need to be good neighbours and that means being respectful in hospital zones, residential areas and in business sectors where people are eating on patios and conducting business in their offices. Because other drivers often make more noise than we do, we need to lead by example by being respectful.  While we all know that in urban riding situations cracking the throttle can and often will wake the driver up who is drifting into your lane, cracking your throttle to show off only causes us to loose a tool in our self defense tool kit. Use your pipes only when needed in urban riding situations. Being well trained in emergency stopping and manoeuvres, being highly aware of your surroundings and decent riding gear for physical protection are still the best protection you can have out there. #3 - Be a Part of the Solution - Join a riders rights association in your region and for Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories where there is no association other than MODEL Edmonton (Motorcyclists Opposed to Discriminatory Exhaust Legislation), document your stop and make sure you have a good lawyer. #4 - Film & Photograph - Using a helmet cam or a bike mounted camera can often times provide the evidence you need regarding stops and crashes, so consider making that investment. Historical information is hugely valuable for lobbying groups. We are collecting information to have at the ready just incase we ever get a national riders rights association off the ground in this country. If you wish to share your information on a stop you think was uncalled for or you experienced any kind of profiling, discrimination or harassment, you can fill out the Police Harassment Report on our site.

We have two choices, either work to protect our lifestyle or be prepared to be harassed and discriminated against and learn to like it.

That's the way I see things - what are your thoughts?

Have a great Tuesday everyone and if you are one of those lucky beggars who is riding today - I don't want to hear about it, I have PMS so bad, I might just snap! Seriously, ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider