UPDATED - Saskatchewan's R.A.G.E. President REAR ENDED

Rhonda was lodged under the car, miraculously
she suffered minor injuries and is already home and resting
Photo: Neil Hein, VP R.A.G.E.

The woman who has been working tirelessly as the president of the Riders Against Government Exploitation had a guardian angel on her shoulder last night as she experienced one of the most horrifying things every rider faces - being rear ended.

From eyewitness accounts, Rhonda Cwynar and a friend were riding when this incident took place, not stationary!

Rhonda was impacted by the drivers side bumper, pushed almost up to her riding companion's position and then the SUV climbed over the bike. Rhonda was trapped underneath the SUV, still on her bike.
Allegedly the driver of the SUV was IMPAIRED AND TEXTING at the time.

Allegedly she never looked up and never hit the brakes.

Rhonda is lucky to be alive and as unscathed as she is.

Rhonda is one of many volunteers working hard to keep Saskatchewan's riders as safe as is possible and protecting their pocket books at the same time. R.A.G.E. is all about holding government accountable and "lobbying" for equitable treatment of riders.

Photo shared from Facebook

Their government insurance, SGI, needs to address bad drivers and the fines, demerits and penalties.

It is something the entire R.A.G.E. team and their strategist Don Fuller have been working hard at.

Rhonda Cwynar, she is a wonderful woman who is deeply passionate about working for fair treatment of the riding community.

There will be some sliver linings that come out of this crash - I always look to find the silver lining...
(You have to otherwise you'd go nuts.)

Because this crash happened to a person who sits on the Motorcycle Review Board at the SGI round tables, Rhonda is going to be able to chronicle everything that happens as you move throughout the system and call them on stuff that you or the rider down the road would never get to.

She is going to be able to lobby to change the bad driver laws in an even more powerful way than before. (Saskatchewan's fines for chronic bad drivers are a joke). Nothing like first hand experience to give you that"edge".

She is going to be able to lobby to really change the texting and driving laws and driver awareness and education.

Photo shared on Facebook

I am deeply thankful that this single mom is able to continue being a mom...
I am deeply thankful that this woman is still alive to be able to do this work.
She truly had a guardian angel on her shoulder.

And, if the riders from Saskatchewan get behind R.A.G.E and start lobbying for change in their own communities, start really lifting their voices together, you in Sasktechewan are the best hope for the rest of the country - to see massive change in DRIVER education and awareness happen.

In other news, Liane Langlois of M.O.D.E.L reports that the Edmonton Noise Bylaw is being challenged.  Join the Edmonton Motorcycle Club Facebook page to find out more on what to do if you have a ticket.

Please visit the M.O.D.E.L. blog for information on the bylaw and how to contact M.O.D.E.L.

Have a great day everyone,  I'll update you more on Rhonda's condition and the information on her crash as more info becomes available.

UPDATE: From CJME
The 40-year-old woman allegedly driving the SUV, Tanja Hinks, is being charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm and driving while exceeding 0.08.

Update from Rhonda herself: I have a broken ankle, broken collar bone and tissue trauma but I am in one piece thanks to wearing good gear in part and a guardian angel who had other plans for me.

I want to thank all my well wishers, it means so much to see the support and comments. You have no idea how much.

I'll keep you up to date through our VP Neil Hein and Belt Drive Betty.  Thanks again folks, I am one grateful woman today, sore but grateful.

PLEASE ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you, and please consider wearing good gear.

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider

Oshawa buckles to public pressure

Well folks we have seen governments back down to public pressure from the motorcycle community twice in the space of two months.

In Saskatchewan a group called R.A.G.E - Riders against Government Exploitation - formed after SGI announced a plan to increase motorcycle insurance rates in some cases by as much as 400%.  Through persistent public pressure; letter writing, phone calls and tying up man hours and resources R.A.G.E. was successful in getting the premier of their province to force SGI in re structuring the increases.

Now, through public pressure, the HHR's Lou DeVouono is feeling elated. Finally, Oshawa did what they should have done right from the beginning - they zeroed the bill.

Between the radio, tv and newspaper articles, the phone calls, emails and a show of solidarity at the Monday night council meeting, the city of Oshawa decided that they should do what they promised in the beginning.

You see folks, it is possible to get people to do the right thing when you have RIGHT on your side and a small persistent group of people driving the situation.

Congratulations to Lou DeVouono - congratulations to all who took up the letter writing and phoning campaigns, congratulations to those who accompanied Lou to the council meeting.

You had RIGHT on your side, you united and together were able to convince the city of Oshawa of the error of their ways.

In other news I want to express my condolences to the family of Margaret Thatcher - I for one loved the Iron Lady. I admired the woman for standing her ground and doing what she saw as the right thing.

I also want to express condolences to the family of Annette Funicello - the Mouseketeer so many of us grew up with.  She made us laugh and cry and feel...

There is a lot of news in the feeds this morning. Visit www.beltdrivebetty.com to find out what might affect your day, your week, your life as a rider.

I leave you with a couple of funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via email:

Have a great day everyone...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Although Revised, the new SGI Rate Review Request is going to hurt the motorcycle industry and community.

At least that is my uneducated take on things.

I am totally confused by the revised rate review proposal from SGI

I will admit that I do not understand insurance and how it works, but I do know this, even with this revised proposal the motorcycle industry is going to get hit HARD in Saskatchewan.

Motorcycle dealerships DEMO plates will go up by 21%

So how many dealers will be reducing their fleet of demo bikes?

How will a rider get to ride a machine to know if it is the right bike for them?

L – Dealer Plates:	4.8%
Automobile	4.5%
Motorcycles	21.1%
L – Snowmobile Dealers	1.7%
LV – Antiques	22.7%
LV – Buses	25.6%
LV – Buses (Restricted)	22.5%
LV – Motorcycles:	16.8%
Cruiser/Touring	16.5%
Dual Purpose/Other	22.2%
Sport	16.8%
Motorhomes	15.7%
MT – Snowmobiles	0.0%
PB – Passenger Inter-City Buses	14.2%
PC – Passenger City Buses	16.6%
PS – Passenger School Buses	26.7%
PT – Taxis	16.4%

Current Annual Rate	Maximum Cap
$1 – 50	$25
$51 – 100	$50
$101 – 250	$75
$251 – 500	$100
$501 – 750	$125
$751 – 1000	$150
$1,001 or greater	15%

Customer impact

If SGI receives approval for the increase with rebalancing, as well as the surcharge, it would mean:

                  Rate increases for about 63% of Saskatchewan vehicles with an average annual increase of $35;

                  Rate decreases for about 35% of Saskatchewan vehicles with an average annual reduction of $21; and,

                  No rate change for about 14,000 vehicles.

For information from the Rate Review Request – visit: http://www.saskratereview.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=6

to find out more

Now I have done some math of my own to figure out what the income to SGI would be for the motorcycle class.

I have used the media figures of approx. 25,000 motorcycles being registered because Mr. Thompson said the TIAC numbers were not relied on by them (11,767)

I am also estimating average insurance premiums per year for demonstration purposes.

If 25,000 riders paid an average of $800 per year, the income for SGI from those riders would be 25,000 x 800 = $20,000,000

If 25,000 riders paid an average of $ 500 per year, the income for SGI from those riders would be 25,00 x $500 = $12,500,000

If 20,000 of those riders also insure vehicles and the average plate is going to increase by $35.00 then those riders are contributing another $700,000 to the above totals. Am I wrong?

So what are the numbers? Well without knowing how much was paid out in claims for motorcycle crashes, all I can do is guess – and guess high to be safe….(all I know right now is that there is just over 9 million in shortfall apparently)

According to the 2010 TIAS Report – Page 43, section 6 – Vehicle Factors

There were 308 crashes involving motorcycles.  Look at the stats for bicycles!

2010 Stats
	Bicycle	Alcohol	Motorcycle
Property Damage	37	653	120
Injuries	126	198	183
Deaths	2	6	5
	165	857	308

So, if all THREE types of claims were 100% the riders fault and all costs were borne by the motorcyclist, and the average claim was $120,000 – the costs would be approx.:  308 x $ 120,000 = $36,960,000 of which 15% is administration costs roughly (this is an estimation of admin costs).

Now, if as SGI Claims, and the rider is at fault 52% of the time that number would be $19,219,200

That is $19,219,200 for 52% of the fault for 308 claims of an average of $120,000 each.

I am really struggling with the numbers here, and low and behold Mr. Thompson finally emailed me; I had put in two request for information since Monday after Friday’s missed deadline, and got this response this morning:

Don Thompson

7:07 AM (13 minutes ago)

to me

As you may have seen we have resubmitted our rate request.  The last several weeks our priority has been putting together a revised rate program and submitting it to the rate panel and putting up on our website.  We are now returning to the many requests for information.  We should have it all out next week.

So, the mystery continues as to how SGI can have a shortfall of $9,000,000 dollars, continues for me as I just do not understand the methodology or what the real numbers are and look forward to having some of it explained – how about you?

If any rider who reads this blog is or knows of someone who can explain the insurance rating system and the real numbers to me, and my readers, how to evaluate what the real numbers are, I would deeply appreciate it as I am sure others would.

The Cars/Pickups/SUV against the Motorcyclists strategy in their marketing materials and press releases

has SGI looking like they are attempting to create a hostile environment between rate payers.

I urge you to please support R.A.G.E. in their efforts to thwart the rate hike and have a seat at the table to discuss better injury reduction strategies.  You can also purchase any of our patches on www.beltdrivebetty.com and we will donate $2 towards R.A.G.E.

Have a great day everyone – hope you enjoyed this weeks Busted Knuckle Chronicles…And please go vote for my Beaver Mascot’s name….

Thanks!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Saskatchewan Riders - teaching us all a lesson in unity

Saskatchewan gets a bad rap as a place to live and ride.

The infrastructure in the province is deplorable, everyone in the world seems to think the place is flat and boring when that is far from the case.

People poke fun of Saskatchewan for a variety of reasons but I am here to tell you this...

In just a few days this provinces riders have united in a way that the rest of the country could stand up and take notice of.

While they have an enormous amount to do in a short period of time, the riders are getting the job done.

The have been FLOODING SGI with petitions, letters, phone calls and emails.
They have been getting media attention and they are gathering strength in numbers.

These people are united in a way that I have not seen happen in a long while and I hope that they can sustain it because we here in Canada need a role model on what being a lobby force can look like and accomplish.

I, like many riders will be waiting to hear the outcome of the town hall meetings, and getting the response to my questions on behalf of R.A.G.E.

We need to support this group if in any way possible - buy a patch, donate, join their Facebook Group - offer advice, support or funds...

These guys and dolls should be looked on as a huge inspiration - it can be done, we can unite, we can work for better solutions than the ones that are too often forced upon us.

We have a new fight brewing in Southern Alberta where recreational riding lands are being threatened and low and behold - SASKATCHEWAN has almost gotten their law passed with NO PUBLIC INPUT.

If Southern Alberta riders can muster the same kind of unity of numbers and willingness to put forth a little effort, we might just be on a roll.

I find it difficult to understand why Edmonton area riders are not united in challenging discrimination of riders, but perhaps, just perhaps, we can re ignite the passion to right wrongs...by seeing others in united action.

There are many other great stories in the news feeds today - please visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed to read about what may affect your day or life...

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails - laughter - levity - it's needed today!

For all you in the Grande Prairie AB region - David Wilcox is on stage tonight at Dukes - $45 per ticket - doors open at 8pm! Hope to see you there!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Three Crashes, three different results - one thing in common

This morning's news has stories of three crashes involving Canadian riders.

The first is about the crash that has Saskatchewan native & Superbike Competitor/Champion Brett McCormick in hospital with a broken neck. 

Begin Quote: 
Reaching speeds of 269.6 kilometres per hour, the 20-year-old continued to whip around the track, until he was passed by another rider on a turn.

The manoeuvre by his competitor caused McCormick to alter his line as he took the turn wider than he otherwise normally would have.

“I ended up off the track and I hit some of the water,” said McCormick. “I crashed at a really high speed.”

The winner of the 2011 Canadian superbike championship said he was thrown off his bike and “did a bunch of rolling.” End Quote

The second crash report is from Leduc where a 22 year old rider died of his injuries after loosing control and hitting a guardrail. My heart goes out to his family.

And the third article is out of Calgary, where a rider is in hospital with life threatening injuries after a crash on Memorial Drive at the Deerfoot. Police suspect alcohol was a factor on the rider's part.

Brett McCormick was riding in a closed track competition environment, had great care on scene and takes this risk as a professional every day of his life...one mistake cost him dearly.

The rider from the crash in Leduc, he lost control and hit a guardrail and sadly, one mistake cost him (and his family) dearly.

The rider in the Calgary crash - chose to drink and ride (I hope the cops are wrong) but if that is the case, one mistake cost him dearly.

People, we riders make mistakes just as often as cagers do, the biggest difference is that when WE riders make mistakes and or poor choices - we pay with our bodies and lives in a way few riders stop to consider.

It is up to us, to each rider to respect the fact that ONE MISTAKE is all it takes to forever alter our lives...

Think about that the next time you get on your machine - YOUR SAFETY is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

There is a TON of news in the feeds today:

Under Lifestyles - Oldtimers - the world's oldest Indian sold for $155,000

Under Motorcycle Reviews: The Star Raider SCL & the H-D Softail Slim

Under Lifestyles - International Motorcycle Events: The Biggest Bike Run in SE Ohio

Charleston West Virginia is slated to host their first ever ALL bike rally & there is a nationwide call in the US to Support the Troops through the Give Back 24 events.

There is a ton of Sports news, not to mention some interesting Law & Politics articles...

Check it all out at www.beltdrivebetty.com

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook & through emails - after a morning like this, laughter is seriously needed.

PLEASE - if you are riding today, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you and wants into your lane!

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider