Troubling things...

The troubling things in the news today are laws and bylaws that seem to be unfair to the many because of the few.

Designed to crackdown on the "Bikies', the new licensing fees and requirements for tattoo parlours is seen as labelling of an industry instead of an individual.

The new law requires shop owner to:
Pay a licensing fee of $1150
Each employee to pay a licensing fee of $35
Every person associated to the shop must undergo fingerprinting and criminal background checks.

According to the article in the Bayside Bulletin:
Body Shaker Body Art has a blanket ban on tattooing or employing members of bikie gangs, but Trinity said innocent workers were being punished.

"I've got a clean slate, but I've been told that I'm guilty until proven innocent by a licence that has nothing to do with our capabilities of tattooing or running a business," she said.

"We don't feel it's our problem and we don't feel like we should be involved. We shouldn't be labelled the same as the rest of them." End Quote

Am I alone in thinking that these fees are just a way for the government to fund their war on the bikies?

Another troubling thing is the commentary over the motorcycle only noise bylaws in Saskatchewan.

Double standards and unfair tarring of an entire community because of the few...

According to Christina Cherneskey, news director at 620-CKRM in Regina, she feels that motorcyclists should move out to acreages and that mayors across the country should adopt tougher policies on noise. 

According to the article, she quotes a CAV member - Neil Nemeth: “You’re hearing sirens, you’re hearing fireworks, you’re hearing all kinds of other noises going on. What makes motorcycles more offensive?” asked Neil Nemeth of the unit.

“It’s a city,” Nemeth added. “You’re going to have noise. If you want complete silence, move to an acreage.”

At the end of her article she states the following:

While lower sound levels might be good for residents in general, some motorcycle enthusiasts are less than pleased.

Motorcyclists don’t like the law, and have moved a motorcycle charity run out of Edmonton and into towns without such noise bylaws.

All municipal councils owe it to their constituents to ensure their neighbourhoods are peaceful and quiet. As Regina’s council works to entice more people downtown, it needs tighter restrictions on retrofitted motorbikes.

And Saskatoon needs to continue its work.

Canadian mayors must then agree on a unified resolution to create a nationwide standard.

The abrupt revving of these vehicles simply demonstrates a lack of respect for those nearby who have no interest in hearing that racket.

Perhaps it’s the motorcyclists themselves who should move to the acreages. End Quote

This woman clearly does not see the double standard and sadly not many others seem to either.

I think that most people would rather see our community be targeted as the only noise offenders who are tested than be the ones in their cars and trucks being tested and inconvenienced.

NOISE IS NOISE - why are only bikes being tested and WHY did the MMIC feel the need to make this community a target in such a way - the road to hell I guess, really is paved with good intentions.

I'd love to hear your feedback on these two topics.

Do you feel that Australia is going about the war on bikes right by forcing compliance to finger printing, criminal background checks & extreme licensing fees on Tattoo Parlours?  

Do you think that noise testing and fines should be the same across the board for every offender or should motorcyclists pay more than others and be tested where others aren't?

That's it for me today, if you are blessed enough to be riding, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider