Big Changes to the IOMC in Edmonton

I was recently contacted by the former International Nomad of the Snow City Crew of the IOMC in Edmonton to let me know about some rather large changes that have taken place.

Cheezy had this to say...

Very recently the following members have stepped away (out in good-OIG) from the club:

1. Cheezy - Intl. Nomad, Canada
2. Uke - Chapter Prez.
3. Hula - VP
4. D-Ball - Biz. Manager
5. Kanga - full patch
6.Mahigan - full patch
7. Klink - Intl. Nomad - USA resident

You probably recognize some names from this list as being long term members (relatively speaking) and certainly original founding members for the Edmonton chapter.

So why did we all leave? 

Was the problem other clubs? 

Was the problem that the 1%ers finally said enough?.......NO.

Like most things in life, as you grow and develop any organization/club a few seem to influence others into a direction that the originals don't agree with. 

This has happened with our group.

New leadership at the international club level has effected so many at the chapter level, to the point that many of us "chapter originals" that you got to know and respect, could no longer wear the IOMC patch on our backs.

The club and our chapter have changed big time. 

Let me say this.....although the club never "asked permission" there were many of us who respected the hierarchy of the club world and gave respect to those in the 1% clubs. 

It was simple really......we stayed out of their club business and minded our own business. Period. 

We NEVER EVER looked for trouble or hid behind a badge. 

The Edmonton chapter, when we were a part of it, never had an LE member.

These principles will still be followed and respected by all of us who have moved on.

It took us three years to build our chapter up, and during that time we made life long friends with our core group. I'm not sure what we will be called going forward, if anything. 

But I can assure you that I personally, will NEVER wear a three price patch again. 

I wish those remaining in the IOMC Edmonton chapter all the luck in the world because with the changes that have taken place, I think they're going to need it. 

So where do we go from here? 

For the most part, the men who have left are very close and remain a very tight brotherhood. 

I don't see that changing anytime soon. 

I hope you realize that the men you've come to know are the same honourable men we have always been. 

We remain proud motorcycle enthusiasts and have nothing to prove to anyone. 

We continue to ride and enjoy each other's company as we do so. 

Our wives and girlfriends have also become very close to each other and continue on in their friendships.

And for we Edmonton chapter originals, that's more than enough.

Cheesy, former International Nomad for the IOMC 

(Now a happy carefree rider)

So there you have it folks. 

The IOMC in Edmonton has changed in a direction that many did not agree with and so those members that I got to know and respect are now just normal riding citizens.

What will the change in the direction of the IOMC mean to the Edmonton riding and 1% communities? No one knows for sure at the moment.  

The only thing we can do now is to watch, wait and pray that the American style of hatred doesn't generate some kind of turf war here.

On a personal level, I am happy that these men who have become valued friends are no longer with the IOMC - I am glad my instincts about the quality of their character was bang on and that they have moved on to different pursuits. I always feared for their safety any time the rode in the US with that patch on their back.  Now I can breath a sigh of relief that they no longer have that target on their back.

If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider

I DARE YOU!

There is a fight brewing, a fight for equity under the law.

NOISE IS NOISE and it doesn't matter who is making it - offenders should all be charged and dealt with the same way under the law.

THAT's the FIGHT, that's what this is about.

Riders in Edmonton Alberta are being singled out and treated differently from other road users when it comes to noise.
 The fines are higher, they are pulled into noise check stops, inconvenienced. No other road users are pulled over for noise checks. Why are the fines for cars and pickups $125 but riders pay $250?


This is what Liane Langlois has to say about how things are going for this Fund Raiser that is to fund the court case that is about to set a precedent regarding motorcycle only noise checks:

"In the city, tickets are going fast for the event but the help from our "extended family" across the country on the crowd funding page is a bit slow despite all I've done to try and help everyone else.
It's all good. You get what you put in. If we fail because of lack of support and the laws start escalating, no one can say we didn't try to stop it."

THIS IS TRAGIC PEOPLE -
PLEASE DONATE NOW - $2, $5 whatever you can:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/motorcyclists-opposing-discriminatory-legislation/x/5510812

I want you to read the information on the M.O.D.E.L. Edmonton site:
www.modeledmonton.com  Educate yourself...it is important for all who ride, NO MATTER WHERE IN CANADA YOU LIVE to get involved.

I don't have a lot at the moment, but I had $10 that I donated.
If every Canadian rider I can touch did the same, the $5,000 needed to fight this fight would be raised in no time.

If you live anywhere near Edmonton, consider attending the fundraiser: http://www.modeledmonton.com/noise-is-noise-fundraiser.html

If you have a business that relies on or enjoys dealing with riders, consider kicking something in for the silent auction or supporting it financially.

If we all did one small thing - got involved in some small way -  the funds needed to fight this fight would be in the kitty already!

I DARE YOU to stand up for the rights and freedoms of all riders. 

CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

Our Charter says the we all have right to fair treatment under the law - so let's preserve that right by fighting for it!

Every right and freedom that we do not defend is one the government feels it has the right to take away from us.

Our soldiers have and continue to die to defend those rights and freedoms - will it really hurt you to defend our rights and freedoms on our own soil by donating $10? By getting involved?

Is $10 really so much to give to protect our community and its right to be treated like any other road user?

                                     UNITED we RIDE - DIVIDED we Walk.

If you say to me, I live in Ontario, Nova Scotia, BC etc. and what happens in Alberta doesn't affect me - THINK AGAIN.

Talk to people who live in Bathurst NB -talk to people from Fredericton NB, Talk to people in Saskatoon SK...Talk to people in Windsor ON...Talk to people in Oakville ON

I will be monitoring the fundraising on Indiegogo and I will be on your arse until we raise the minimum of $5,000 that M.O.D.E.L. is looking for.

THIS FIGHT WILL SET PRECEDENT!

So if you want this nagging BI#%H off your arse, get out your credit card - or log into your PayPal account and head on over to:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/motorcyclists-opposing-discriminatory-legislation/x/5510812
AND MAKE THAT DONATION NOW!

For the time being I will step off my soap box and wish you all a great day...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider




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Another Monday...

Today is typical of pretty much any Monday during riding season.

We have another rash of rider fatalities/crash news to deal with.

On the weekend in Edmonton AB,  a rider was killed when he ran from police - he was on a stolen motorcycle. I lift a prayer for his family.
Karma got him, but sadly it is his family that will pay the price for his misdeeds.

Also in Alberta, a lady rider was killed in Okotoks.

Then news out of Penticton is that two riders were killed between OK Falls and Penticton.

My prayers go out to those affected by these crashes.

In Newfoundland, a menace rider is off the street thanks the the RNC...the man has over $30,000 in unpaid fines!

I am tired of the death and mayhem already and the season has only just begun.

Now, I want to address a video that I came across.

What would you do if you came across a police officer breaking the law?

How would you expect that officer to conduct him/her self?

In every community there are those who feel that they are somehow superior to others and conduct themselves in selfish and arrogant ways that affect the perception of the rest of their community.

The police services are no different.

Watch this video and then please, tell me what you think of the young man who filmed this and the police officer's conduct.

I WANT YOUR feedback!

Have a good Monday, and PLEASE, Do Your Part and Ride Smart - ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

HOW do you explain it? Some hard questions for the City of Edmonton

I had the distinct displeasure of speaking with the Prosecutor in the Stuart Young Appeal.
Why do I say displeasure?  Well, double talking prosecutors are not my favourite people in the world - and Mr McAnsh did not let me down in his double talk - these people are so skilled in concealing the truth and side stepping the issues - it's a disgrace - this is not JUSTICE - this isn't even LAW - this is a derailing of the rights and freedoms under our Charter. The right to equal treatment under the Law - what a joke our Charter is becoming....

Here is my interview with the prosecutor - short as it was.

City of Edmonton Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaw

Interview with Scott McAnsh, June 30^th 2011

Background:

Stuart Young received two tickets regarding the noise emitting from his motorcycle.

After much research and collaboration with Liane Langlois, Stuart successfully defended himself and his tickets were quashed.

The City of Edmonton filed an appeal and in the last hour, withdrew their appeal.

Question:

Why was the appeal withdrawn?

Answer:

On the evidentiary record - there was a problem with the police’s information that was not well addressed in the record and the use of the technology. It was a problem with the total evidence in the file – the officer issuing the ticket was Cst Deputat

Notes: Although the prosecutor talked in circles he admitted that the evidence file was incomplete and there were problems with the information in the files and the prosecutors office did not feel that this ticket/file was the right ticket to appeal a decision on.

Question:

Will Stuart’s legal fees be repaid?

Answer:

No reimbursement of legal fees – the city does not do that

Question:

How is this decision going to affect other motorcyclists?

Answer:

It won’t, if they are ticketed, they have the option to fight.

So there you have it - straight (or sideways as I say) from the mouth of the prosecutor for the city of Edmonton - It cost Stuart - and every motorcyclist that chipped in for this appeal just shy of $4,000 just to have the city back out because - from what I can gather by reading between the lines - the cops messed up.
Their evidence was NOT solid, there were issues with how the test was done and how the evidence was recorded.

My personal humble opinion on this entire situation is as follows:
The City Prosecutors did not think a University student would be able to come up with the money to have a lawyer represent him at trial.

When Stuart didn't back out, the shoddy evidence and paperwork caused the Prosecutor to have to - this appeal should never have been brought forth.

In all I feel the city of Edmonton's Prosecutors/Lawyer is a coward and the Edmonton Police Services Traffic Division were sloppy in their paperwork and that this whole situation was vendetta driven -  Stuart tore their original case to shreds and the only way they could make him pay for that was to hit him in the pocket book and deny the motorcycle community it's day in court.

I am sickened by the blatant tactics and although through Mr. McAnsh did his best to side step my questions and provide answers that were no answers - he did not succeed in hiding the motivation. He was very defensive and just kept saying there was a problem with the evidence.

I have a call in to Tony Caterina's Office and hope to have his feedback on what transpired very soon.
I also have a call in to Jane Batty - Jane has been very vocal about noise issues and I am wondering how come the Noise Snare is not being used or considered by the City - to that end I have also called counsellor Kerry Diotte and almost all of the counsellors and look very forward to their responses.

In my humble opinion - the city of Edmonton needs to step up and reimburse the legal fees that the motorcyclists of Edmonton and the province of Alberta helped to raise for Stuart - he's a university student and this has caused him and many others undue hardship as he put a large chunk of his own money into this.

The more the City of Edmonton baulks at using the Noise Snare and continues to hold on to the J2825 the more they look obstinate, arrogant, wasteful and discriminatory - the more it looks like the police services are running the city and the more it looks like they want to hold on to the motorcycle only stops to profile us - they don't see it but the motorcycle community feels that way - or at least the thousands I have spoken to about the issue do!

But hey - what do I know - I am just a grunt trying to get this issue resolved with some measure of fairness.

I will give you an update on the contacts if any that come from the various councillor's.

There is a ton of other news today so please - do yourself a favour - go read about the crashes, the politics and the news that might affect your world...www.beltdrivebetty.com is where the info is - we sift through the news so you don't have to!

Have a fabulous Thursday - a terrific Canada Tomorrow - I do not plan on blogging tomorrow unless of course something deeply important comes up...

The next time I write will be to kick off my Share the Road - Share the Ride, Motorcycle Awareness Conga on Monday.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

A weekend that is filled with mixed blessings and Riders in Edmonton BEWARE....

This past weekend at the Edmonton Motorcycle Show was filled with mixed blessings.

I got over 500 hugs and they were top quality! It is my favorite thing about going to the shows - that and seeing the motorcycles and gear offerings.

I was fortunate enough to take in the Motorcycle Madness - the talented riders had people holding their breath and when the quad rider, Jon Guetter came out and did his 360 jump you should have heard the crowd - it was such a great event!

The ladies from the Calgary & Edmonton Motorcycle shows put on such a great trade show for us - they work so hard to keep it fresh and real and man the 2011 shows were excellent.

You'll have to read this coming week's newspaper (The Busted Knuckle Chronicles) in order to see the pictures and report. I am back to laying out the paper myself again - sadly I had to fire the gal that I had contracted to do the job - I refuse to allow our community newspaper to be held hostage by someone who refuses to honor their contract commitments.

Although I haven't done the books yet, I know that our Injured Rider Fund donations from the sale of patches, BDB gear and the Death Wobble Rentals Charity Bikini calendar is somewhere in the neighbourhood of $400 - The CMTA will be able to at least help one rider with a no interest loan in the advent of a crash - remember the period between when the crash happens and insurance comes in can be a very difficult period for many. Our goal is to get that fund up to $25,000 and be able to lend money at no interest until insurance pays you back for some of your out of pocket expenses. Once you are on your feet, you pay the fund back so we can help the next rider. You can apply for assistance at the CMTA web site: www.motorcycletourism.ca

I had a chance to talk to the Edmonton City Police about the motorcycle only noise bylaw. I have to tell you I was some disappointed in Eric Theusser - he is rude, arrogant and insufferable in my humble opinion. He was preening like a peacock when I started the interview and the first tough question that I asked him about why ONLY motorcycles and how that works - he ended the interview and told me he refused to talk to me anymore.  I walked over the the RCMP booth and asked the same question, in EXACTLY the same way and got answers. They weren't what I was hoping to hear but they were polite and direct, honest answers. Why the Edmonton City officer couldn't or wouldn't answer me I am unsure. I do know this much - riders in Edmonton - either change your pipes or look to be treated badly - I say that because of my personal experience with this one officer - I don't mean to come across like all of the officers will be that way  -  but my understanding is that he heads things up and if that is the case, remember that crap runs downhill...
Read my editorial in this coming week's paper to read what was said.

I also would like to warn those who are not running stock pipes - if you do not know what your bike is putting out for decibels then either get your bike tested or stay away from Edmonton OR be prepared to go to court and fight.

Liane Langlois has not given up the fight to get this bylaw reversed - only you fighting tickets will help get this bylaw changed. It is your choice folks - fight, avoid the city of Edmonton or run stock pipes of the after market pipes that are EPA certified from the US - because if they are the style of pipes that are Not for highway use - you most likely will be ticketed.

We are accepting donations for the Australian Flood Relief Fund - all donations will go to the Red Cross - you can also donate directly if you want tax receipts....http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000005&tid=003

Don't forget to get your bikes entered into the show 'n' shine folks - tons of great prizes up for grabs and it is free to enter...

There is a lot of news from the weekend for you to check out, since I have to get cracking on building the paper, I will leave you to go snooping on your own.

Have a FABULOUS day - I know mine will be!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Parked Motorcycle Syndrome & SS Syndrome

So, how many Edmontonians are going to come to the Edmonton Motorcycle Show this weekend?

The weather has been so unkind to the show managers across the country that I hope and pray that Edmontonians show up in full force regardless of the weather. The vendors and show managers work so hard to provide a great experience with something for everyone.

The SS Syndrome (Shiny $hit Syndrome) that accompanies PMS can be abated by making sure you have your charge or debit card ready - there are so many wonderful offerings for that ride of yours.

If you can't attend the Edmonton Motorcycle Show perhaps you will go and ogle the bikes that have already been entered in the Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine. We have over 130 pictures in there already and I am hoping for many more. The dis-ease of PMS can only be reduced by seeing lots of motorcycles so our on line show 'n' shine and the motorcycle shows are a great way to put it at bay!

In major Canadian News, the IMBBA is getting geared up for the International  World Cup Ccompetition in Laval Quebec in April of 2012.

 “The IMBBA challenge is truly the first time Canada has to shine on a global market, with the rest of the world having to come to our door to compete, I feel it is long overdue, Canada’s commerce along with community and press from all these countries merging in Laval, Canada to photograph bikes that have never been seen before in public is exciting” said IMBBA’s Canadian representative and Master Bike Builder and Hall of Fame celebrity, Bob McKay.

In Other News:

Police forces in the USA are embracing the Zero motorcycle for stealthy patrols!

In Pennsylvania they are re introducing legislation to bring back helmet laws. 

In Calgary Alberta and alderman is concerned that if Calgary does not have a race facility it will be seen as lacking

On Vancouver Island the hunt is on for a rider who has not been heard from in a week. If you have seen William Norman Lumley - please get in touch with the police.

I hope you all have a warm and safe day...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Good old Canadian Complacency will see us all get squashed...

I hear a lot of grumbling. The chair I sit in can be alternatively entertaining, heartbreaking and frustrating.

Today I am frustrated.

I hear so many people who whine, snivel and complain over the new motorcycle noise bylaw in Edmonton, the proposed bylaws in Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Windsor and countless other cities across this country and yet...who is doing anything about it?

I'll tell yah - about a handful of women on the Edmonton scene and from what I can tell - no one anywhere else - lots of noise, but no organized movements at all. (Unless I am blind and deaf I am not reading or hearing about anything concrete being done.)

In a recent discussion with Ivan from Medicine Hat Harley-Davidson I learned that the MMIC somehow caught wind of the fact that a federal law was about to be rewritten that would have seen motorcycle exhaust noise be limited to 86 decibels and that the MMIC intervened at the second reading and managed to get the limit raised to 96 by having the SAE create a noise standard test.  Now that somewhat contradicts what the EPS (Edmonton Police Service) memo states but hey - let's not split hairs. Having this standard set means we as a community can force the issue over semi's and their noise, vehicles with no mufflers, boom boxes, leaf blowers and law mowers! We are actually in the drivers seat here folks - we just need to grab the handle bars and so something with it but...will we?

I got an email from a riding club that had the answers to a survey taken of their membership which is about 1100 strong.

349 people actually took the time to answer the 4 questions...

Here are the questions:

1. DO YOU THINK WE ARE PAINTING A TARGET ON US!

By going to bike nights in Edmonton.Where the EPS can easily setup and wait for bikes that night.

Percent Response

yes, 73.0%  no 27.0%

2. SHOULD WE MOVE OUR BIKE NIGHTS OUTSIDE EDMONTON

yes, 52.5% no 47.5%

3. Should we ask Events like Toy Run to move outside Edmonton.

 yes, 52.5%  no 47.5%

4. IF I RECEIVE A NOISE BYLAW TICKET I WILL TAKE IT TO COURT or no I WILL JUST PAY IT.

YES 69.9%  NO 30.1%

Now folks - this sucks if you really think about it - only about 33% of this riding club responded to an issue that affects all of us - discrimination. And I am not singling out this club - they are just the best example of what we face as a community period - no matter where in Canada, no matter which group.

This is the same complacency that KILLS riding clubs, events and charities.

Complacency is the enemy here folks, not the establishment - they shove these laws through because they know we will whimper and snivel and bend over and take it - no Vaseline required.

If you are not part of the solution then in this case you really are a part of the problem.

Look at the news today. St Andrews NB has the police working with them over the HUGE crowds coming to ride their motorcycles and spend their money - the community wants the tourism dollars.  Shediac NB is hoping for the same boon in August as is the Red Island Rally in Charlottetown PEI that same August 27/28 weekend. The Wharf Rat Rally in Digby NS sees 20K plus riders spend HUGE money in their province.

Tourism by motorcycle is estimated conservatively to be a 300 BILLION dollar a year industry folks (only dealing with the 2 weeks of vacation a rider takes) in North America and in this economy the province of Alberta can not afford to let their police service dictate where our income comes from. Neither can any jurisdiction really. And if noise is really the issue - then let's deal with noise in some manner that actually addresses all of it, not one small, small part of it.

Oil and gas revenues are down, forestry income is down and tourism by motor home and air are down.  If we look at the whole situation - take a macroscopic view as opposed to a microscopic view - you will see that most people want health care, infrastructure and certain other benefits looked after. All of those things take money and if we are only circulating our money and not getting in funds from tourism because the other revenue streams are suffering - then we end up getting nowhere.

I read some news articles on noise complaints this morning from people who bought homes in a sub division in Leduc AB - the sub division is by a highway that has been there for longer than I have been around and I am 50.  Now folks - I hate to bring up the obvious - but - if you didn't think it was going to be noisy living next to a major highway - what the HE double hockey sticks were you thinking?  It's like those who buy near an airport, race track or sporting facility and then whine and snivel about noise and traffic congestion - people, pull your heads out of your arses...

Complacency in the rider community is going to see successful bylaws across the country.

The whiners out number us and as in anything political - the squeaky wheel gets the grease!

So folks - get off your duffers, spread the word, sign a petition and then please join FIRRe - the Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education.

A united voice of the some 600,000 motorcyclists in Canada will carry far more wight than the efforts of 10 here and 30 there...

If you are not a part of the solution then you ARE the PROBLEM.

In the news today:

In the good old US of A there is a movement on by LAWMAKERS to get the NHTSA to put the focus on motorcycle accidents and helmet use.

An accident in Nevada took the life of a Canadian Soldier, Lt-Col. Nancy Ouellet, 41, reportedly died instantly June 22 when her motorcycle was struck head-on by a car trying to pass a transport truck. Ouellet a 23-year veteran of the military, had been until recently the commanding officer of the Canadian Forces Support Unit with NORAD in Colorado Springs, Colo.

In Lincoln NB a father and son were severely injured when they collided with a car that cut them off.

Another report from/on riders in the Hoka Hey Challenge...

Vintage racing will take place at the O'Keefe Ranch near Vernon BC next weekend.

There's a ton more news - so to get your dose of it tune in to www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through everything to bring you JUST the news that affects our communities and lives! 

Belt Drive Betty

www.beltdrivebetty.com

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

www.firre.ca

www.bustedknucklenews.com

www.canadianriders.ca

www.riderfriendly.ca

www.bikerfriendly.ca

www.greatcanadiandayrides.com

Contact Me

What to do and how to proceed in our determination to see fair laws...

The noise bylaw thing in Edmonton and every jurisdiction that is watching what's going on is weighing on my mind.

Along with gathering signatures I think it is time we start a defense fund folks.
I am hoping to attract a really good riding lawyer to take the case on as a civil rights suit - all the way to the supreme court if needed but I also want to have some really good scientific testing done on the loud pipes save lives "Theory".

Now I know first hand that pipe noise can be a wake up call for the distracted motorist beside me - but most people who resist the idea the loud pipes save lives use the argument that noise travels backwards and therefore our argument is faulty. Does anyone know of a really good, well respected testing house that we can use?

I  would be interested in any ideas that people can bring forth that would aide us in proving what we say about our pipes in certain urban riding conditions.

I would also be interested in what we could do to put a lid on the rude and inconsiderate in our community. After all - if people weren't being jerks from 9 pm on in to the wee hours of the morning, it is doubtful that there would be so much anger towards our community...

As always, your thougts and feed back is deeply appreciated...

In the news today:

In Rimbey AB a rider was air lifted to hospital after a collision with a semi

In Edmonton a rider escaped serious injury after a collision with a left hand turning car.

In Guelph ON another rider escaped serious injury from a left hand turning vehicle...

Non riders and riders are sick of extreme motorcycle noise as two articles, one from St Albert and in Edmonton indicate.

If you are fortunate enough to be riding today please ride like everyone around you is blind AND out to get you - ride proud not loud!

Belt Drive Betty

www.beltdrivebetty.com

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

www.firre.ca

www.bustedknucklenews.com

www.canadianriders.ca

www.riderfriendly.ca

www.bikerfriendly.ca

www.greatcanadiandayrides.com

Contact Me

My plans change - the Noise bylaw fight continues

I was planning on attending the Edmonton Motorcycle Ride for Dad this weekend but some issues here on the home front prevent me from attending. The first issue are all of the files that Marion sent to our FTP server for the newspaper are corrupt so I have to start from square one with re building the paper from the ground up. ARRRG

Then Telus in it's great wisdom sent someone to fix my satellite and internet only, the tech wasn't supposed to come here. Add a couple of other minor issues into the fray and my window of opportunity to travel closed down to nothing. I do not enjoy riding at night because of the game so I tend to try and be stopped by 8-9pm if at all possible. Leaving GP at 6pm would have put me traveling through moose alley at prime animal movement time...

To say the least, my husband is happy that I am home for a weekend for a change!

I got word that one of the riders who had been injured last week is a good friend and loyal reader of the Busted Knuckle Floyd Funk, apparently he is in a drug induced coma and in really rough condition. Reportedly he hit a deer on his way home.I am hoping to get to see him today - we shall see. And on Thursday night in Grovedale just outside of Grande Prairie a 39 year old man ( reportedly the brother of Abe from Tire Pro) was killed when a 22 year old driver turned in front of him.

I hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend.
All any of us can do is pray that everyone we care about stays safe.

The Petition that Liane Langlois is circulating will be at the Edmonton Ride for Dad fro everyone to sign.

There are those out there who say I am not for loud pipes so I won't sign it - but folks the petition is to repeal a discriminatory bylaw that targets ONLY motorcycle noise not all of the other vehicles that generate unnecessary noise.  Why are only motorcycles being targeted - that is the question...that is the problem - the law is badly written and unjust.

You can download the petition to take it around to Edmontonians to sign here:
http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/292-motorcycle-television/5307-petition-to-fight-the-new-edmonton-bylaw

Or stop in to any of these shops/pubs and restaurants:

- Insane Customs
- Bad Ass Customs
- Triple M Motorsports
- Welch’s Motorcycle Repair
- Echo Cycle
- Hi-Per Cycle
- Harley Davidson of Edmonton
- Xwrecks
- Double D’s Pub                                                                                                           - Alberta Cycle

And I am working on making one for the rest of us to sign as tourists and people who are going to be affected if they try to go in to Edmonton.

Please - if you are riding today - be safe. I am tired of loosing people I love and care about.

PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and out to get you and please, ride proud not loud - save those pipes for the times when they are well and truly needed - when some one drifts into your lane...

Belt Drive Betty

www.beltdrivebetty.com

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

www.firre.ca

www.bustedknucklenews.com

www.canadianriders.ca

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It's gonna get ugly folks

Edmonton passed their bylaw yesterday -

it's a done deal.

Apparently you will be able to get your motorcycle tested to see where you are at for some time before they start handing out tickets. And they are going to be doing some sort of small educational blitz about the bylaw, but...

For at least the next 5-6 years MOTORCYCLES are the only target as developing the testing for other vehicles will take that long. 

That is WRONG and DISGUSTING and makes Edmonton one Motorcycle UNFRIENDLY City. Apparently there is a rumor floating around - unsubstantiated at the moment, but one we need to be aware of  and be doing our best to defeat - Spruce Grove and Leduc could be following suit along with Devon and Fort Saskatchewan...if this happens folks it will not be long before this entire province does this to us.


What is going to happen to the Ride for Dad next year? It is sponsored by the police services... What is going to happen to the Alberta HOG Rally this year, next year. Motorcycle Tourism is a huge industry - we represent huge cash for these communities.

What can we do? We are 80K strong in Alberta - is there anyway you can see all of us getting together in a unified way to do something about this?

Folks - read the comment yesterday from an anonymous source that tells us about the California law that is being proposed by a person who apparently dislikes motorcycles.

People - we are being legislated to death here - literally.
We have a ton of media in Edmonton who ride, Steve Zimmerman, Gord Steinke, Terry Evans, J’Lyn Nye, Rob Berg - and that's only a few that I can think of quickly.
I wonder what it would take to get them along with a good lawyer to help this community take up the fight. There is no way that only one segment of the motoring public should be singled out this way.

We are where we are because we didn't police ourselves, the question now is - can we as a community actually band together to do something about this or are we just gonna snivel, %itch and complain?


This bylaw is wrong on so many levels it is wrong and a huge waste of money and resources. All the police had to do was enforce what was already on the books - nail those who ride like jackasses but no - now we all get to pay.


Come on people - let's get our act together, lets DO something.
Can anyone recommend a lawyer? 
Can we start taking donations to fight the fight? What can we do folks????

If you read what is being proposed in California - it WILL make you shudder - because it could end up here unless we do something NOW!

As always - you comments, your feedback, your input IS wanted folks - without your participation my ramblings are just one person's view and I truly want to represent the Canadian rider as much as possible.


In other News - one of my favorite motorcycle/romance/fiction authors - Adelle Laudan is hosting a FREE Read on her web site! It is entitled - Solidarity. Join here on her web site to read this short story for FREE! http://adellelaudan.com/


The CAV are expecting a huge turn out of up to 3,000 for their run this weekend
The “Highway of Heroes” in Ontario that honours Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan is getting a B.C. extension.

On Woodstock ON. the Comrades MC raised $4,080 for Wounded Warriors

 If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, PLEASE - Ride like everyone around you is blind and IS out to get you - ride  Proud not Loud !

Belt Drive Betty

www.beltdrivebetty.com

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

www.firre.ca

www.bustedknucklenews.com

www.canadianriders.ca

www.riderfriendly.ca

www.bikerfriendly.ca

www.greatcanadiandayrides.com

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A Busy news day that sees more potential for more noise bylaws in Canadian cities

If you ride in Winnipeg be forewarned that the city is looking hard at what Edmonton is doing.

Every community has show offs and attention seekers. There are guys with chipped up diesel trucks, truck drivers who drive through cities with their Jacobs brakes on, import cars with boom box stereos that vibrate the windows right out of your house and then there are buses, ambulances with sirens blaring, fire and police...sound pollution/noise pollution is a HUGE issue.

Noise is an issue - a health and a quality of life issue. Motorcycles are being singled out and targeted because of those in our community who sadly think it is their right to be as loud and obnoxious as possible. We are treated like we are all members of the Hells Angels and are like them in that we are a highly visible minority that is easy to single out and target.

My opinion is not always the most popular one. There are many that think I am too outspoken and too obnoxious for words BUT from my experience the riders who don't like the way I think or the things I have to say are generally the offenders, the one's who do their level best to screw everything up for the rest of us who just want to ride without being singled out or hassled.

My bike has stock pipes for a reason - three actually... One - I do not wish to be hassled by the police services - I just want to ride. Two, I ride an H-D these days, Milwaukee makes a pretty bomb proof engine and if you don't mess with it, it runs just fine with very little issues, and three - it's a 96 inch - I can if I decide to speed, get just as many ticket as the next guy/gal. Fact of the matter is, since I don't race, Canadian roads really don't offer up a place that I can use the horsepower of anything bigger so why bother? It's an expense I don't need - I would rather put that money in to a holiday and create some riding memories for when I am 110 and can't ride any more.

People - it is long since past the time we start policing our community. If we took some action as individuals we might actually get some consideration as a community when it comes to being heard out by city councils etc but until we start looking after our own crap - someone else is going to do it for us. That some one else is the police and whether we think it is fair or not - WE have created the situation by either egging on the person who feels the need to do a burn out in a public parking lot, or by shaking out heads and walking away with out having told the person that they were ruining it for the rest of us.

We complacent Canadian riders are just as responsible for these bylaws that are now restricting us as anyone else in the equation is. Don't blame the police or the counselors who are tired of getting complaints from their constituents about the noise our community makes - blame the right people, our fellow motorcyclist who feels the need to rip it up with that right hand. That person who is so selfish that they feel theirs is the only "right" that matters. They are the problem and until we deal with them - well, we will continue to be a target.

As always, I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback - with out your involvement I am just another hack writer with a two bit opinion.

In the news today:


Winnipeg is watching the Edmonton Motorcycle Noise Bylaw

Rene Cormier gets an award in New York City

Producer/Band Member Daniel Lanois is in critical condition after a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles.

In The West Kootenay's they are gearing up for ticket sales on their motorcycle lottery and getting things ramped up for their toy run.

In Ontario the wife of a motorcycle accident victim speaks out about her husband.

In BC - another man with a 50 year driving ban is arrested for riding a stolen motorcycle.

As always there is much more in the latest news over on www.beltdrivebetty.com there are some other accident reports, motorcycle reviews and event stories today so come on over and check us out.

We are running some auctions for F.I.R.R.E. on our Facebook group page - come join us or better yet, sign up to become a member of F.I.R.R.E. at www.firre.ca
We need people on our Injured Riders Committee, Rights Committee and our Education Committee - come and get involved in improving the lot for motorcycling in Canada - we'd love to have chapters right across this fine country of ours!

If you are blessed to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind AND OUT TO GET YOU! And please, Ride Proud not Loud - save those pipes for when they count and can help protect you like when someone drifts in to your lane. Stay safe out there folks!

Belt Drive Betty

www.beltdrivebetty.com

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

www.firre.ca

www.bustedknucklenews.com

www.canadianriders.ca

www.riderfriendly.ca

www.bikerfriendly.ca

www.greatcanadiandayrides.com

Contact Me