Motorcycle Awareness for the cager and the rider - how do we improve it?

Never has my Conga for Motorcycle Awareness meant more to me than it does this morning.


As I look over the news of the past week and see how many riders have been killed or injured I wonder what can I do, what can we, as a community, do to affect change?


While on the Share the Road, Share the Ride Motorcycle Awareness Conga this year I began filming motorcycle awareness PSA's (Public Service Announcements)


I have begun the process of editing those videos to have them air on web sites everywhere. 
That is step one, but what else can we do to ensure our the safety of our community and the individual riders within it?


It begins with US is what I believe.


WE RIDERS need to be more aware of what is going on around us. 


We need to remember that people in cars and trucks seldom truly see us because they are too busy living their lives in their vehicles - they are eating, talking - be it to a passenger or on their phones, scolding children, shaving, reading novels and newspapers or putting on make up.


As riders we need to constantly be scanning the roads and the ditches and be prepared for danger in a split second - but what do we do as drivers in our cages because let's face it folks - we also drive pick ups and cars - how attentive are we as drivers? Are we guilty of living our lives in our cars and trucks?


I know that in the past I have been - but I have stopped that type of behaviour in my car. I shut my phone off when I am driving - I don't even bother with hands free - I simply DO NOT USE it in my car any more. 
What about you? Does being a motorcyclist make you a better driver? Are you more aware of the fact that you are commanding a weapon of 2,3,4 or 5000 pounds down the road? Do you text while driving? Do you allow yourself to slip into bad habits or are you constantly aware of what is going on around you?


I was saddened and dismayed when I was in Winnipeg Harley-Davidson last week.


What did I see that made me sad? 


A Bluetooth for your helmet - what in heaven's name is that all about? WHY did some genius think that it was OK to invent a Bluetooth to be used on a bike? 
What is so dire and important that we riders need to use a phone WHILE WE ARE RIDING?


As technology advances I fear that critical thinking has been over taken by the love of gadgets and that having the newest shiny toy has become more important to us than safety or rational thinking.


We bought motorcycles to ride, to see this fabulous land of ours and to visit other countries on - we bought motorcycles to escape the everyday grind of life and the incessant demands that are placed on us - right?
We bought motorcycles to put our lives into perspective...and here we are selling Bluetooth's for our helmets...what does that say about motorcycle safety and awareness? 


To me the Bluetooth for your helmet is one of the most dangerous inventions for a motorcycle that has ever been conceived but that is just one woman's opinion - what is yours? I would be very interested in knowing....


So back to my earlier question - WHAT CAN WE - the motorcycling community do to make our roadways safer? To make ourselves better riders and drivers?  Any thoughts people?


I have a few ideas brewing in this brain of mine but I really want your ideas - If we as a community, work together, share the ideas I know we all have, we would be able to come up with some answers and programs that would accomplish the goal of making our roads safer for all not just the motorcyclist...as always I love it when you talk to me and share your ideas so come on folks...let's share - TALK TO ME!


In Other News:

In Ontario - Winona woman killed in motorcycle crash was a nurse

And the Breast Ride Ever has teamed up with Ladies Hockey to Kick of Stick it to Cancer

In Quebec - Two motorcyclists are dead after two crashes within three hours

In New Brunswick, Moto Moncton is gearing up for it's first year

In the US there is a warning about traffic congestion on highway 95 in Western Maryland and Northern Virginia for the 9/11 Run

And there is news about the break through advancements in electric vehicles
(Personally I feel that while great for our environment, certain electric motorcycles, those for the street- will be another deadly development for our community)


For all of the news that we can find in the news feeds and that is shared by other riders, visit www.beltdrivebetty.com


I hope you all like the new newsletters that now accompany your newspaper - we are working harder than ever to make your news more accessible and easier to read than ever by having provincial newsletters. Share your group or event information with us and we will help to spread that news to others in your province - we feel it is vital that we share so that our events, riding clubs and businesses all flourish and we hope you too will agree and get on the sharing band wagon. We have also set up provincial Facebook Pages so that we can ensure the largest circle of sharing possible. The more informed we are, the better and stronger our community becomes....what say you?


Until tomorrow, I am your editor,
Belt Drive Betty

Rider Safety, another rider dies...

Again in the news feeds today is the word that another rider has died, this time in Parksville on Vancouver Island.

Folks, I can not stress enough how important each rider is to me and to many others.

You are the very essence and fabric of this community and too many have died or been injured already this year in a season that truly is just getting underway.

Please, take some extra time, remember to use your head as a swivel - be constantly scanning, looking for danger, and keep your speeds down. There is so much grit, sand and gravel on the road - frost heaves, cracks and pot holes.

Danger is everywhere and I for one would like to see you live to ride another day.

On a personal note, I need your prayers and so does my husband.

His MS has flared again and the medications his neurologist has prescribed are going to cost $16,000 a year - his work insurance does not cover them. We are exploring to see if there are any options out there for us.

I love my husband deeply, he is my best friend and while I hate seeing what he is going through, while I feel helpless as I can't take his pain away - I know we are strong and will get through this attack and the ones to come in the future. Your love and prayers will help us when we feel weak and falter.

Have a Happy Easter everyone....

I love you all and am deeply grateful for your friendship.

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

Riding Jackets - what do you wear?

When I was younger, I took a lot of chances. I think like anyone who grew up in the 60's and 70's we were influenced by our parents and the times.

Riding on a motorcycle with just a tee shirt and vest, jeans, boots and a beanie, that's the way most of us rolled back then. Over time, with a few friends involved with meeting the pavement and burying others you grow up and grab a brain and realize - HMMM - I am NOT invincible - this too could hurt me.

I would never have ventured on to a motorcycle with shorts and sandals or flip flops on - I am not comfortable with that degree of exposure and I never have been.

I have had stories submitted to our community newspaper (The Busted Knuckle Chronicles) on how someone's motorcycle gear saved their life - their hide...I have seen first hand the ravages of road rash - the horrible swelling and scabbing. The scars...

Good Gear is important - at a certain age you come to realize that. For some us the realization takes longer because we weren't weaned on motocross.

Yesterday I asked about helmets and what you wear and why you wear it.
Today I want to ask you for your thoughts on jackets. As riders we go through all kinds of elelments. You can, in certain parts of the country see all 4 seasons in one day - so what jacket do you wear? What brand, why did you choose it?

Do you wear leather like I do (really, really heavy leather) or do you wear a fashion leather - light weight.

Do you wear cordura? Armour? Denim?

What do you wear and why do you wear it?

Please join the discussion here,  on Face Book or over in the forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com - I would LOVE to hear from you on this topic.
Please remember, if you post by using anonymous - unless you email me to tell me who you are - I will NOT post your comments.

In other news:
Veteran's who ride converged on Royal Canadian Legion Br. 71 to celebrate the life of John Shannon, a Vietnam War veteran from the U.S - it was a first...

BMW has announced two recalls

Honda has some bikes it is considering for the Canadian market.

Check out the new radar in Holland - it's good for a giggle if nothing else!

In Clinton Ontario 130 riders took part in a toy run

If you are among the fortunate and are riding today - PLEASE, ride like everyone is out to get you and is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Ride & Editor

The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.bustedknucklenews.com
www.beltdrivebetty.com

Equipment Safety, Videos & Bicycles

The news is filled with a number of things I think we need to be looking at seriously. Safety, Safety - Laws and Safety...

First on the agenda is an article about Lift Axles on semi trucks. A lift axle is exactly what it means - and it saves trucking companies money on fuel and wear and tear because when it is not needed to support a load it can be lifted off the ground and saving tires etc. However, after a few accidents with motorcycles RCMP Cpl. Barry Red Iron, the RCMP's forensic collision re-constructionist for southern Alberta discovered that some of these trailers are making the stopping distances of these units double the norm.

The test results are scary and the Alberta government has had the information in their hand since May and done nothing about it - but this is not just an Alberta safety issue - it is a Canadian safety issue. The manufacturers of these trailers and axle systems need to address these safety concerns because one accident is one too many.

The next issue is - I think that Governor Arnold - the Terminator needs to be terminated. He is living his movies and their futuristic crap now in his office as governor....
After signing the noise law in California for Motorcycles he decided to sign a bill allowing manufacturers to put video cameras in the windshields of vehicles. Now - trucking and courier companies think this is great as do insurance companies cause these cameras will be able to tell if YOU are the reason for an accident. The police like it cause they can tell how you were driving before an infraction took place. Yes there is now virtually no place in the world that you are going to be able to go were big brother won't be able to tell what you have done - we have officially become a baby sitting state. Think about this you who text and drive - your behaviours will be caught on film and you will NOT get away with killing someone because of your addiction to texting...hmmm maybe this is not such a bad thing after all....

I was wondering how many other baby boomer's remember having to take a road test and having to have a license plate on your bicycle? I am not sure when they got away from that practise but I remember as a kid in Yorkton SK that we had to have a license and we had to take a test to ensure we knew the rules of the road.
Well, whenever it was - some one named Don Cayo has finally started asking the question - Is it Time to start requiring bicycle licenses and insurance?

I have been saying that for a long time - I resent - hugely that those who ride bicycles think that they can ride anywhere they want and mow people down.

Our street here in Grande Prairie now has a bicycle path on the road but 90% of the jerks who ride bicycles still use the side walk and they do not care who they push out of the way be you 90 and using a walker or 30 pushing a baby carriage.

I watch these people and marvel at how there are not more serious accidents involving bicycles - they NEVER signal - I don't think most of them know how. They seldom stop for lights, they climb the side walk if they are on the road and use the cross walk - and these people do not seem to realize that they are supposed to walk their bike across the intersection if using a crosswalk.

Yes - in my humble opinion - it is long since past time when we should be requiring a license, plates and insurance on these conveyances - if they are going to use the road ways and we are going to make special places for them to ride then they need to be sharing the costs of road infrastructure the same as every vehicle driver. They MUST learn to obey the law and not think they are above it and they must carry insurance so that if they mow some one down and injure them that the injured have some repercussions - also drunk driving laws should apply to these riders as well - here in Grande Prairie there is a core group of alcoholics and street people who ride bicycles and their dangerous behaviors have come close to causing accidents that vehicle drivers should not be having to try and dodge.

Well folks - that's my grousing and grumbling done for the day. As always I welcome your feed back and comments - it is ONLY through honest dialogue that we will ever learn empathy.

In the News Today:
In Ontario - Bike nights are continuing at the Big M
                   Don Norris weighs in on the proposed Caledon Motorcycle Noise Bylaw
                   An 82 year old Keswick man has been charged with careless driving in the death of a lady rider.
                   The Niagara Chapter of Ride for Dad is very pleased with the success of their first ride.

In Alberta - an alleged speeding rider crashed in southern AB and is in hospital after surgery.

In Saskatchewan - a woman has been charged for failing to make a safe left hand turn in a crash that sent a     32 year old rider to hospital in Regina.

I BC - A 29 year old Kitimat rider has surprised many in the recent Enduro races.

I hope and pray that if you are riding today you will Ride defensively, ride your own ride - do NOT let peer pressure get the best of you...Ride like everyone around you is BLIND, has an UNSAFE load and IS out to get you and please - ride Proud not Loud - invest in a 140 DB Air horn instead! AND CHECK YOUR TIRES AGE - AND YOUR TIRE PRESSURES DAILY!!!!

Belt Drive Betty

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July - motorcycle safety month...

The Canada Day and July 4th weekend celebrations have come and gone for another year.
The weekend, while very enjoyable for many, saw Canadian highways and byways filled with several tragic incidents involving motorcyclists.

The carnage that has been taking place in our community has been nothing short of devastating - sadly the motoring public does not seem to be getting the message that they need to share the road with us.

July is supposed to be motorcycle safety month in Canada. A month where police services target motorcycles to ensure the riders are wearing proper safety gear and that the motorcycles they ride are up to par to be on the roadways. The reason for this is more accidents involving motorcycles tend to happen in July than at any other time of the year. If that is truly the case folks we could be in for a rough summer emotionally.

Most of the "accidents" in the news today that involve motorcycles have very little do with the driver of the motorcycle having done anything wrong, in fact left hand turning accidents still seem to be the most prevalent...

The only thing riders can do to stay safe is to be hyper aware to their surroundings and the dangers. Defensive riding is the key to having that peaceful weekend putt or that incredible journey stay uneventful and even then, defensive riding is not always enough.

Loud pipe save lives in certain situations - like chasing wild life away from the ditches/road side or preventing that inattentive cager from drifting into your lane when you are beside them in urban riding/driving situations - we riders know that, heck even the motorcycle cops in Oakland California seem to know that : http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/harley-davidson-sportster/f32e784513e5a86cbc74ff281f6b25a1   BUT...

In Calgary, today is the day when John Mar gets his way - the noise bylaw there is set to be ammended and he has the signatures of at least 8 others on council to back him up, councilman Mar wants his city to get tough on noise.

Liane Langlois in Edmonton stated that over 3,000 signatures have been garnered from a small segment of the shops she has the petition with - in her bid to see the Edmonton motorcycle noise bylaw be over turned. Insane Customs, Bad Ass Customs, H-D Edmonton, Heritage H-D and a number of other locations have the petitions and are just waiting on you to stop in and sign them.

The Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education might be a really good organization to become a part of right now. For $20 a year for a single or $30 for a couple the Never Ride Alone program and the National call centre alone are worth the money. (National Downed Rider Hot Line & Never Ride Alone 1-866-315-1013) Add in to that the rider education discounts on the Ride Like a Pro DVD's and the Rights committee that is working at getting the aftermarket industry behind us to challenge the Edmonton motorcycle noise bylaw and well - you have a group that all though very brand new - is already starting to make an impact!

If that was all that F.I.R.R.E. did yours would be a well spent $20, but, fund raising for motorcycle accident victims and creating awareness for the cager and mainstream public as to the Faces of riders and who we are the other aspects that rounds out this organization.

The southern Alberta F.I.R.R.E. is hosting a poker run July 24th weekend to support Yvonne Perry a single mom with cerebral palsy who was injured back in May and I myself am hosting an awareness Conga across Canada in August and September to light a F.I.R.R.E. in the soul of every rider I can and to educate the general public all about the riding community. If it is true that July is the month when we will see the most motorcycle "accidents" then please, consider joining F.I.R.R.E. because united we can make a difference and support each other. www.firre.ca

There is a ton of "accident" information and many other articles of interest in the news today - to get your fix head on over to www.beltdrivebetty.com 

If you are fortunate enough to be riding today...please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you and IS out to get you. 
Please ride proud not loud and if you get a noise ticket - please FIGHT IT! 

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

Gear Safety - so how do you know if what you buy really is safe????

In the news today a helmet maker in the US has been ordered by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Over 17,000 helmets are affected.
Advanced Carbon Composites has been ordered to cease business.

Well folks, that's all well and fine - but my question is what happens now?

Unlike cars that have serial numbers are these helmets going to be pulled from store shelves? Who reimburses the store owner? If there is no reimbursement then will the store owners actually pull them from their shelves?

So okay folks that brings me to my next question...the rest of our gear. Is there, anywhere in the world, an actual safety standard for motorcycle gear? You know - jackets, chaps and gloves?  I have had no success finding anything so far and am sorely frustrated at the crap I see some of these importers bringing in like the really thin chaps for $29 - in this economy someone will buy them thinking they are better than no protection when truth be told a good pair of jeans probably offers as much protection.

This might be a topic to bring up with F.I.R.R.E. the next time we meet and perhaps with the Vulnerable Road Users Committee as well.

I would appreciate your feedback on gear and helmets - the best brands, the right fits - it appears that none of the gear suppliers we work with have any time to address these issues for us as most are owner operated but perhaps somewhere either in my Facebook group or through those who read this blog here on blogger there is someone who can help guide us to good solid answers - my gear needs replacing soon - where should I start and why?

In other news:

Tomorrow launches Motorcycle Awareness Month and while I have had little success finding Public Service Announcements or videos here in Canada to promote that fact it took all of two seconds to find it on the NHTSA web site: http://trafficsafetymarketing.gov/motorcycles/ShareTheRoad/index.cfm

In Toronto Harley-Davidson Motorcycles are being given a year's rest by the police service and who knows, if the trial with the BMW's go, it could mean a permanent retirement of the H-D's.

In Niagara and Manitoba - Ride for Dad is getting revved up...

In Montreal an appeals judge has been removed from a Hells Angels case because the courts learned that he had advised them about trademark issues back when he was a lawyer.

In Shediac NB they are getting geared up for the Lobster Fest - motorcyclists turn out in droves for that rally - our article is in French

And last but not least, H-D is telling it's employees in Milwaukee that the belts must be tightened or we move...hmmm - I wonder if that means the CEO is taking a pay cut from his 6 plus million a year or if it is only geared towards the poor stiffs who actually help him make that kind of wage?

If you are riding today - please - don't think you can out run a motorola like the dude in Edmonton - ride like everyone around you is out to get you AND BLIND! 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

Contact Me

Controversial information in the news today

 A Motorcycle Accident Study Suggests Safety Courses Don’t Reduce Crashes (US)

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has apparently found that requiring young riders to take safety courses before getting their motorcycle licenses doesn’t reduce their likelihood of crashing. In actual fact, they found just the reverse to be true. Collision claims for riders younger than 21 are 10% higher in states that require them to take training courses, compared with states that do not require such courses is what the study found.

Now isn't that something else. Teaching people does nothing or little to reduce accidents - I wonder why?

Does the training give young riders a feeling of superiority or cockiness?

The study also found that bikes with antilock brakes are 37% less likely to be involved in fatal crashes than those without them. Motorcycle models with antilocks also have 22% fewer damage claims per insured vehicle year (a “vehicle year” refers to one vehicle insured for one year).

What we are supposed to do with this knowledge is frightening to contemplate...

In the UK they found something out that is also rather scary and mind blowing...
Tyresafe cited figures from the Department for Transport from 2008 that claimed that there was a 28% increase in the number of motorcycle accidents where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor.

I don't know about you folks, but those two articles have me scratching my head...

In other news:

Alberta's annual speeders crackdown is coming to a town near you.
In Oshawa, the Hell's Angel's Club House  has been torn down,
A motorcyclist in Oshawa is dead...
MRFD is gearing up to teach men about prostate cancer.

And the winners in the Blog Book Tour hosted by Adelle Laudan are: 
1st for Iron Horse Rider Series in PRINT ---- Lobo!
Congratulations!!

2nd for Iron Horse Rider Series in
EBook ---- Michelle Shields
Congratulations!


If you are fortunate enough to be riding today - please ride with care and respect....

Belt Drive Betty
Editor- The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.beltdrivebetty.com
A MAX Award winning web site!
www.bustedknucklenews.com
www.canadianriders.ca
www.riderfriendly.ca

Contact Me

The BAD Rodeo - Estevan

It turned out to be a wonderful day, both on the weather front and the turn out for the 2nd Estevan BAD Rodeo.

The temperature was 28 degrees, well over 100 bikes turned out, the games were a blast and I had a ball.

I don't want to use what Berge terms my "gift of gab" too much today as I don't want to spoil what I am planning for the paper that will come out on June 11th, because it's going to be something special...so watch for "Betty Goes to The Dark Side...or is That The Light Side" in June 11th's paper...

I want to thank Scube, Keith and Marty for everything.

I also need to thank Berge for my Blogger Award. I need to pass it on to 8 people, and I will do that tomorrow....right now I have the June 4th paper to finish!
If you are looking for an event to attend check out our web site at www.beltdrivebetty.com - registration is required but it is also FREE.

Ride safe, like everyone around you is blind and PLEASE, be respectful with your throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty

I am horrified!

Did any of you read the news on our web site today?

As a practice I comb the news across Canada and around the world to provide a "Clipping" service for riders. My goal - to bring attention to what's going on with Canadian riders.

Well today there is an article in the Hamilton Spectator about some A-HOLE who stole a motorcycle and left the rider who had just crashed it to die and die he did.

What in the HE Double Hockey Sticks is wrong with this world?

You see a rider and his bike laying on the side of the road, and you steal his bike without looking to see if you can help him? You don't even call 911?

I'm sorry people but this story has my blood boiling.

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/431878
Someone took it "while the man was lying there," said Norfolk OPP spokesperson Constable Jeff Walraven.

Officers say the man was riding north on Indian Line between Villa Nova Road and Concession 2, Townsend, and was seriously injured when the machine went into a ditch and the rider was thrown.

An SUV with several people inside stopped, and one man got out and stole the motorcycle. Anyone with information about the SUV or the man who rode the motorcycle away is asked to call investigators at 1-888-310-1122.

I hope someone comes forward and that the whole SUV of people goes to jail - can you say DISGUSTING?

Please people - ride safe out there.

Belt Drive Betty

Ride without a helmet - become an organ donor - Hmm

Although somewhat twisted at first glance (repugnant actually), the comment made by Mary Margaret Towey of Lancaster, PA on June 18th/08 could have some merit behind it.

I was taking some time to catch up on some reading this morning after sifting through news feeds. I had scanned through a full 12 pages of motorcycle death and accident news and was depressed.

I had tagged a few articles to be read and decided I needed to do some reading to take my mind off of the depressing statistics that are now cropping up over motorcycle accidents.

The following article in in Brain Bucket Magazine was one of them....


"I also know that emergency-room personnel everywhere refer to motorcycles as "donorcycles" and not humorously. Well, with this helmet-optional law in place, why don't we make that grim nickname official? By this I mean, let's make it a law that every cyclist who rides helmet-less must have a new license (which the state will gladly provide for free) that identifies him or her as an organ donor."
To read the whole article: http://www.brainbucketmag.com/News/article/sid=3902.html

Her theory - If you want the right to ride without a helmet, you must become an organ donor.

She was responding to a medical article published June 12/08.:

"To evaluate the 2003 repeal of Pennsylvania’s motorcycle helmet law, we assessed changes in helmet use and compared motorcycle-related head injuries with non head injuries from 2001–2002 to 2004–2005. Helmet use among riders in crashes decreased from 82% to 58%. Head injury deaths increased 66%; non head injury deaths increased 25%. Motorcycle-related head injury hospitalizations increased 78% compared with 28% for non head injury hospitalizations. Helmet law repeals jeopardize motorcycle riders. Until repeals are reversed, states need voluntary strategies to increase helmet use."

Read the whole article here: http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/AJPH.2007.123299v1

I know how unpopular the helmet laws are. Helmets are uncomfortable, they take away from the feeling of being free. However, we know from many reports that in certain instances that helmets do save lives and in many cases reduce head trauma.

Statistics vary state by state in the US, but consistently it appears that 4o percent or more of deaths involving motorcyclists come from brain trauma.

So, here you have it.

Motorcycle deaths are often preventable. And whether we like it or not, many of our community members who ride will or have died this year.

All freedoms come with responsibility.

If I as a smoker want the right and freedom to smoke, I must do so in such a way that it does not infringe upon your right as a non smoker to have cleaner air to breathe.

If I as a motorcycle rider want the right and freedom to have loud pipes on my bike I must use them in such a way as to not infringe on the rights and freedoms of those who sleep (shift workers and small children), or are ill or infirm to have relative quiet. (Hospitals, seniors homes and residential areas)

The Charter here in Canada and the Bill of Rights in the US are both written in such a way as to express exactly what I say above.

Yes you have freedom to choose but know that your choice has consequences and responsibilities. Your rights and freedoms stop where the freedom of others begins.
We are all supposed to be equal - remember.

When you choose to exercise your right to ride without a helmet you are knowingly putting yourself at greater risk and you have chosen to accept that risk. That's cool in my way of thinking....

So my question is this:

If you are willing to take the increased risk to experience the exhilaration and freedom of riding without a helmet, what would be wrong with signing a donor card?

Some have expressed pretty strong gut level reactions - they have called this gal all sorts on names and slammed her pretty hard, but think of this idea......seriously.


The main objection I see to Mary's idea is the license idea. Instead of a drivers licence that identifies you as a donor and another reason for cops to pull riders over, how about a sticker on your license plate that identifies you as an organ donor?


Bikers have always been known as a community that give back, help out.

Maybe we need to look at this idea as a compromise - as something in keeping with our own culture....you keep giving even after you are gone....is that such a bad thing?

Living in a province where I am told I have to have a helmet to ride, well yah know, this almost sounds to me like a good compromise....

I have my feelings on this subject - what are yours? I'd love to know.

Please - no matter where you ride, with or without a helmet, you are my brother or sister of the family Wind and I want you around tomorrow - so stay safe, ride smart....

Belt Drive Betty