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

Motorcycle Insurance, New Riders and Safety

SGI - Saskatchewan Government Insurance has released some information on the proposed changes to motorcycle insurance and rules in that province.

According to the article in the Times Colonist, SGI intends to see new rules in place regarding getting a license to ride, the clothing you must wear but mandatory rider training is not on the agenda.

Before you can get a license you will have to do a skills and ability test, no more writing an exam and hopping on a bike.

All riders in the graduated licensing program will be required to have their arms and legs covered, wear ankle boots, a three quarter helmet minimum, wear gloves and eye protection.

Another change is that anyone wanting a motorcycle license would have to hold a class 5 drivers license.

Fearful that people will not be in a good frame of mind to learn and that rural areas will not be able for provide it,  means that mandatory rider training has been ruled out.

Don Fuller of R.A.G.E., Riders Against Government Exploitation, says that while R.A.G.E. likes the changes for new motorcyclists that the recommendation to charge rates based on type of motorcycle doesn't do enough to address rider safety.

Now I have a couple of questions about these proposed changes.

Why is it only new riders are being required to wear a minimum amount of safety gear?

Why aren't all riders required to wear a minimum amount of safety gear? If this is about reducing the cost of claims, then every rider should at least wear proper footwear, jeans and a jacket on top of gloves, helmet and eye protection.

Just calling for arms and legs to be covered means little. That means I can wear a long sleeve tee shirt and my arms are covered or that I wear spandex tights and my legs are covered. Neither of which are going to protect me at all in a crash situation. The road will chew that fabric up and grind it into your hide along with the gravel, sand and dirt that is on the road.

Why should you have to have a drivers license to get a motorcycle license?
Being a car driver does not equate to you being a good rider.

Sadly it seems we have to make laws to protect people from themselves in order to reduce crashes and claims, so since that seems to be the case, why are these proposed changes so broad and vague in their descriptions and requirements?

Personally I think SGI should reduce your insurance by the amount the rider training costs you for your second year of insurance thereby taking the financial sting out of mandatory training.

With the advent of Kevlar Jeans, Kevlar shirts, armour and the advancement in the cooling capabilities of modern jackets and all of the other advances in safety gear, there is no reason for a rider to go unprotected.

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.

Have a fabulous day everyone...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

The Sturgis North Lawsuit - Update

The lawyer who is representing myself and three of the 6 others in the lawsuit that Sturgis North launched has informed us that he is preparing to ask the courts in Surrey to transfer the case to Salmon Arm.

The lawyer will be out of office for a minimum of two days and because of travel it may be three.
Then there is all of the preparation to be ready for the time in front of the judge.

My share of this round could be as low as $2,500.00 and as high as $3,500.00

That means I need to kickstart the campaign to raise funds to defend myself.

I have been nose down, arse up getting my 2014 sales materials completed, translating them into French, training a new sales person on top of a million other little things.
Lise Charron is our newest team member. Lise is our Provincial rep for Quebec and Northeastern Ontario.

I need sales people in every province, and I pay good commission so if you know someone who'd be a good fit, send them my way!

I'd much rather earn the money I need than beg for it.  
And long term I will be able to with some staff.

I do need your help to get over this hurdle though, so....

For those who are just finding out about the case and what it's all about you can visit our Defense Fund Page to find out more.

I am asking that if you believe I have done nothing wrong in my reporting, and you can spare $5 to help out, it would be deeply appreciated.  Every little bit helps keep this community newspaper, our web site and all of the supports we offer the rider and this community going. Click here to DONATE

Thank you again for your belief in me and the work our small team does for our community.

In other news, the bikers who were convicted in the Bandido's slaying are heading to appeals court.

A guy in the US learned about wheelies, high speed and cop cars!

An inspiring story about a man who was told he'd probably never walk after a motorcycle crash accomplishes something huge!

I am finally catching up on things a little and hope to be back blogging in a more timely fashion again starting with today!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider





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