Motorcycle Helmets, the Science, the Myths and Equality

Motorcycle Awareness Month is upon us and I’d like to put some focus on helmets.

Motorcycle Helmets, the Science, the Myths and Equality:
Let’s face it, helmets have been a contentious issue for years now and they inspire many viewpoints and opinions.

These days, here in Canada, the issue has become even more contentious to the point of civil liberty/disobedience rallies, supreme court challenges and the like.

Here is the link to the Civil Disobedience Rally:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/440010909841458/

And the Equal Rights Association:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/279518259433520/

We have a religious group of people who want to have the privilege of riding a motorcycle without the burden of protecting the public purse, the way the rest of us do.

These riders are using their religion to avoid wearing a helmet and we have governments allowing these exemptions to take place.

In BC, they lost their right to wear a beanie for all other riders in 2012.
Sikhs in that province won the right to ride with only a Turban on in 2009.

In spite of all of the science and stats that was used by the government in BC to remove freedoms from non Sikhs when the decision to withdraw the beanie allowance was made, Manitoba, Alberta and Ontario all allow this helmet exemption.

When you think of the shipping docks and the insurance regulations surrounding helmets in the workplace, no one there, no matter their faith is allowed to work without a helmet. The companies refuse to pay the premiums and costs for head injuries to those not wearing certified protective gear.

If public purse and public safety are being cited as the reasons that the beanie is no longer acceptable safety gear by the now defunct Synaptic Analysis Consulting Group that called themselves experts in injury and bio-mechanics, then WHY would government allow this exemption to take place for Sikhs?

If you believe the science and reasoning they used in 2012 when the right to ride wearing a beanie was revoked: “In a 2009 study, Mr. Richards conducted crash tests comparing "very severe collisions" with different helmets, and found the risk of a severe brain injury – one with a high probability of death – with a beanie helmet was more than 90 per cent. With a certified, full face-shield helmet, that probability dropped to less than 5 per cent.”
Yet no one has tested the turban and its efficiency.
Why?

I suspect it is because it’s a religious garment.

I wanted to learn about the Turban and its significance so I went to the World Sikh dot Org site (http://www.worldsikh.org/what_is_the_significance_of_the_turban).

“There are various styles and sizes of turban. Younger children often wear a patka which is a square piece of cloth tied on the head. At home or for sleep, a smaller turban or keski is worn in place of the larger turban.  Depending on personal preference, wearers choose different colours or fabrics for the turban. “

Now, if riding a motorcycle or driving a car is considered a privilege and not a right, then why are religious rights being flexed here at all?

I simply do not understand that, especially when they have the option to wear a smaller turban so that they may wear a helmet.

It’s an inequality that has no place in Canadian society and yet, here we are.
But the politics surrounding helmets don’t end with the whole “Let those who ride decide” debate or the whole equality debate around a privilege...
No, many question whether or not helmets save lives, reduce trauma etc. or might actually cause more injury in some cases.

When you go to the CDC website in the US, their stats are pretty convincing that :

• Helmets saved an estimated 1,859 lives in 2016.1
• If all motorcyclists would have worn helmets in 2016, 802 more could have been saved. 1
• Each year, the United States could save more than $ 1 billion in economic costs if all motorcyclists wore helmets.2
• Helmets reduce the risk of death by 37%.2
• Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%.3,4

If you use the links in the references you will be taken to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. https://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/motorcycles/fatalityfacts/motorcycles

You’ll note that as with all stats, they only tell a narrow sliver of what actually happened.
But they point to head trauma being present in those who are fatally injured.
That is one stat that no one can really dispute.

Here is the statement that I like - “Helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries.”

So the answer is do they work?
Well yes, for certain kinds of crashes they do. Do they work all the time?
No. There is no perfect device for protecting one's noggin.

For more information on helmets and the health care cost reductions and the lives saved,
visit https://saferoads.org/issues/motorcycle-helmets/

As far as helmets increasing the chance of neck injury, the science seems to disprove that theory, however, there also doesn’t appear to be a variety of researchers working on the topic either. (https://msf-usa.org/downloads/imsc2013/Oct17_Session2-Thom_Ouellet_Smith_Hurt-Helmets_and_Neck_Injuries_in_Fatal_Motorcycle_Crashes_PAPER.pdf)

My biggest question out of the whole helmet debate is this:

With all of this supposed science at their fingertips, the governments in BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario have chosen to ignore the public purse, the public healthcare system and a whole lot more in the name of vote pandering.

Yes I said it. I am calling them out for what I believe it to be.
You can not apply a religious right to something that is a privilege and not a right.
It is a privilege to ride a motorcycle - NOT A RIGHT.

There is no where in Canada where it is your inherent right to ride one.
If you choose to ride a motorcycle and you are Sikh, you have the option of wearing a smaller Turban to accommodate a helmet, according to what I have learned about your faith and the Turban.

Therefore, your argument is null and void and you should be wearing a helmet like the rest of us. The science says wearing helmets improve your chances of survival in the event of a crash, the law say riding is a privilege and we here in Canada we are a semi socialist country in that we have universal healthcare and your actions and choices affect the resources available to others.

SO...either repeal the exemptions and allow Sikhs to ride using their smaller Turban under their helmet OR allow choice for all.

Either ALL Lives Matter or NO Lives matter.

I feel that either the government is going to nanny us all the same way, or they can allow us to be adults and choose our level of risk.

In the meantime, I’ll wear my helmet, it protects me from the elements and road debris, those are good enough reasons for me.

Seriously, the helmet debate is the great debate, and it’s as old as the question “what came first the chicken or the egg?”….and I don’t see it being won any time soon and therefore I am hoping to be able to be on my bike next week and bringing you the first look review of my new Voss 580 Conquest Modular Helmet. (https://www.vosshelmetsusa.com/collections/modular-helmets/products/580-conquest-modular-helmet-with-integrated-sun-lens-dot-ece-high-viz-fluid)  If it isn't next week because of the crappy weather here, then it will be the first chance I get to ride with it again.




                                                                             
                                                                               
















After that review, I am sure that I’ll have a few more articles on this helmet I am sure!
One or two rides does not a real to life kind of test ride make! (Wink Wink)

I’ll be looking at other helmets this season too,  in the lifelong quest to find a helmet that I can feel comfortable in, so, if you’d like a helmet reviewed, let me know!

Until then, if you are lucky enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.


Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider

Motorcycle Safety Tips for the New Riding Season

Spring has finally sprung across most of North America and that means motorcycles are back on the road.

In our little piece of heaven here in Alberta we have already had several riders killed.
A motorcycle crash happens in the space of a half second.

How many of you have spent any time getting reacquainted with your significant other before heading out on a ride?
Did you check your tire pressures?
Remember you only have two tires making contact on the pavement, you want them to be filled properly so you have maximum traction and control.

How about your fluids? Have you checked your brake fluid?
If your brakes feel spongy and/or need to be bled off, I’d recommend checking to ensure there is no water present.
Water collapses far more than brake oil will, and that can cause that spongy feeling.
Is it milky looking? If it is you most likely have water in your braking system and it needs to be flushed and new fluid and potentially a new gasket will be needed.

Your engine oil, when was it changed last?
Is your air filter free and clean of debris so that your bike’s engine can breath well?

Are your brake pads in good shape and what about your signals, are they working?
Fork seals should be free from leaks and when you pull in your brake lever, your forks should have give to them.
High beam, low beam, headlights should be checked too.

Now that you’ve gone over your baby with a fine tooth comb and you are ready to climb on board, what’s your first order of business?
For me it’s a parking lot 2 blocks from home where I can spend a half hour reacquainting myself with my motorcycle’s weight and my clutch and brake.

A little bit of parking lot time helps me make sure that everything about my bike is performing as expected during a fast/hard stop, during some cone weaving and obstacle maneuvers.  A Half hour of reacquainting yourself after 5-7 months off is definitely worth doing in my books.

When you head out, make sure you are watching for those who are not watching for you.
You need to ride like everyone around you is blind and can’t see you.
They aren’t looking for you. They are reading texts, scolding their kids, eating lunch, and basically doing everything but driving.
If you accept that fact and roll with it, you are less likely to fall prey to an inattentive human being.

A rider needs to be like a coyote , always looking for a way out.
When I took my rider training course they drilled into our heads SIPDE - Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide and Execute.
Your head should be on a swivel, constantly scanning the road ahead as well as ditches and side roads.

When you identify a potential hazard or danger, like a car that is pulling up to a stop sign on a side road, you need to predict what that driver is going to do and then decide how you are going to handle things when they pull out in front of you. Then you execute on your decision.
All of this will transpire in the space of seconds.

Be on the lookout constantly, stay focused and aware and enjoy your riding season.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider.

Some tips to make 2018 a less dangerous driving/riding experience

Driving a vehicle?

1. Motorcycles are entitled to the full width of their lane. Motorcycles don’t take up as much lane space as car or 4 x 4 truck, but they need to use the entire lane, often adjusting lane positions to avoid road debris and to respond to wind direction changes & gusts, avoid pot holes or simply to see what’s up ahead as they prepare to pass a vehicle.
2. Blind spots: If you are thinking about any lane change; use your turn signal and ensure that you look in your mirror, over your shoulder and do that a second time – LOOK TWICE to SAVE a LIFE!
3. As Yosemite Sam would say; “Back off” and leave some room: Leaving some distance between your car /pick up truck/SUV and other vehicles is very important for the safety of you and your passengers. Motorcycles are small in profile and therefore it is harder to gauge their distance. There is always potential to be rear ended at a red light and while most likely the result would be a fender bender between passenger vehicles, the situation can become a whole lot more dire when a motorcycle is involved.
4. Look TWICE: Because of their smaller stature, motorcycles can appear farther away than they actually are. They can also be hidden from your view behind other larger vehicles. Left hand turns by automobiles are one of the most frequent crashes that take place between passenger vehicles and motorcycles.
5. Hazardous road conditions:Dangerous road conditions; slippery roads, rain, hail or unexpected snow/sleet, uneven payment, debris on the road, potholes and road snakes are common causes of motorcycle crashes. Motorcycles are smaller than cars and trucks; they have less stability on the highway and are often greatly affected by less-than-ideal road conditions. Give that motorcyclist some space.

Riding a motorcycle?

1. Avoid riding in the centre of your lane when traffic slows: You need to have a quick exit strategy when traffic suddenly comes to a halt. Stay to either the left or right hand side of your lane. This allows you to have an escape route should you have a driver who does not appear to be able to stop.
2. Being seen and protected is YOUR JOB: Wearing reflective clothing and/or bright colours can help other drivers see you. Wearing a good helmet, gloves, footwear and riding jacket and pants/chaps can often play a big role in whether or not you walk away from a crash.
3. Create as much space around yourself as possible: If you are on a highway with three lanes of traffic all flowing the same direction, don’t ride in the middle lane, ride in either the left or the right lane, thereby eliminating one potential for danger and allowing you a bit of a buffer zone.
4. Cancel your signals. Just finished turning? If your motorcycle is not equipped with self-cancelling signals, you’ll need to remember to cancel them or run the risk of sending out false messages to the other drivers around you.
5. Make sure your motorcycle is in good repair: Tires are one of the most important safety features of a motorcycle as you only have two of them keeping contact with the road. Over inflated tires can overheat quickly reducing traction, and the contact point with the pavement becomes very small. With underinflated tires your steering becomes very sluggish, and the potential of damaging the rim or tearing up the tire becomes a threat. Check your signals, headlight, fluids, brakes, cables, belts and chains as well.

Common Sense - how common is it?

Meet the New Wave of Female Motorcyclists
The face of modern women's moto is beautiful... and properly badass.

That's the headline and the photo from thedrive.com

My first thought when I read the headline of this article coupled with the photo of a semi nude female rider was "Here we go again", and after reading the article about the photographer and the women she "shot", all I can say is, "Here we go again".

This rant will probably fall on deaf ears, but here I go anyway.

I get it, this is art. And yes all of the women portrayed in the article are beautiful in their own unique way, including Stormy who appears to be transgender. As art, the photos are beautifully done.

The problem in my mind, however, starts with the minds of those who are going to look at this art and then get on a motorcycle wanting to look pretty and sexy instead of being geared up for safety while riding.

I honestly wonder how many 20 somethings are going to think that their physical beauty needs to be displayed in all of it's glory while riding.

I wonder how many will be scraped up off the highway by some poor paramedic, police officer or fire fighter whose PTSD will deepen because of the horrific sight.

I wonder how many families will loose a daughter or have to care for her for weeks, months and years after having gone for a ride without proper gear.

There are issues within the female gender that these images are going to influence.

As a female rider, I have some strong feelings of frustration, concern and yes, even some anger at these photos. Not just because of the gender issue either because I would feel equally disappointed and concerned if these were photos of men riding clad this way.

As I said earlier, some will see these solely as art - I see it as a statement, and I personally don't feel it's a good statement to be making.

What say you?

Then there is this Meme from Military Minds Inc.

Maybe this is my day to be a grumpy old prude, but I am seriously offended by this Meme.

As a civilian who had supported and advocated for our veterans and  serving military, I find this sentiment disturbing and very sad.

What surprised me the most about this Meme was how many military types have liked it and shared it.

Over 750 Likes and 300 Shares and some of the comments that accompany it angered me.

I posted on my Facebook Page that I was pissed about this Meme and was told by one person that "Offence was being taken where none was intended" - REALLY?

I am a civilian - I acknowledge and support the military and our vets...and they tell me to go "Fuck my Hat"?

If this was aimed at bureaucrats, desk riders and politicians who make policy or life hell for our military and veterans - then SAY THAT, but don't put all civilians in the same soup pot.

That's like saying all riders are 1% or all riders are loud obnoxious asses...it's just not true or right.

If this was aimed at those who think that soldiers start wars and hate the military - then SAY THAT.

To those in the military, this might be funny, but as a civilian who has worked her ass off to support our troops, I find this meme to be very inappropriate and offensive and I for one will not be supporting Military Minds Inc. anymore - at least not until there is a public apology on their page.

If that is how the support of civilians is appreciated by them, then I'll concentrate my efforts on groups that I know, appreciate what many thousands upon thousands of civilians do to support our military.

Again - I'd love your opinion on these two topics...

In other news voting has come to an end in Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest - the results are unofficial but it appears that we have crowned our first Rider Friendly Community - Two Hills Alberta.

Congratulations to Bob Ross, the man who nominated his community first, the town of Two Hills and all of the people who voted for this community - your efforts have paid off!

Blackjacks Road House in Nisku Alberta is hosting their first ride night of the season tonight and they will have a special guest - Eric Lobo - world traveller.  If you get the chance, stop by Blackjacks Road House, Alberta's Best Bike Bar tonight and say hi!

If you are blessed to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you and consider dressing for the slide, not the ride.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider