A thanks to the Hells Angels of Saskatoon might be in order...

I read with much interest today about the ruling in Saskatchewan with regards to the banning of Motorcycle Club Patches (Gang Patches) in bars and on public property. The reason that I have such interest in this case is there was a similar law that was passed in Grande Prairie when I started hosting motorcycle shows here.

Now please - don't go thinking I am somehow supporting or a supporter of the Hells Angels or any other outlaw motorcycle club.  I am not, I am pretty neutral on the whole MC thing, being a female, all of that testosterone and posturing just isn't anything that holds interest for me. I am however a supporter of the freedoms the Charter of this country allows us.
I am also for reducing the absolute power of the RCMP and having better checks and balances in place for that organized group of men an women.

The trial judge who declared the law unconstitutional made the exact observation I made when a similar law was enacted here: The law was created to help police deal with gangs, drug trafficking, prostitution and child exploitation, but Brayford argued its wording is so broad it could persecute striking workers wearing union logos on their clothes.

So, in a way, many of us owe the Hells Angels a thank you for spending the money on lawyers and getting this law deemed as unconstitutional. And we owe a HUGE thank you to Judge Brayford for having the courage to follow the charter. Perhaps now, here in Grande Prairie the by-law will get axed and then I will be allowed into some of the bars here with my CAV patch on. (Mind you if they weren't around - the Red & White that is - we probably wouldn't have had this dumbassed law enacted in the first place.)

One of the fundamental problems of this whole banning the "Gang" colours thing has been the lack of education as to what patch/es is "Gang" related and what patch isn't. How in the heck is some bar maid or some bar owner gonna know which is which? The RCMP and other police services refuse to provide any education to bar owners and staff. So in effect anyone wearing anything other that manufacturer clothes/patches were being barred/banned as owners feared the reprisal of the RCMP. And in Calgary there are bars that even ban motorcycle manufacture clothing - H-D in particular.

It will be interesting to see if Calgary bars that banned the wearing of Harley-Davidson clothing in their establishments will now have to lighten up on their stupidity or not.
I wonder how many other provinces will follow suit? Manitoba also has a colours law.

I find the whole banning clothing thing to be totally stupid, senseless and an absolute waste of money - ban the clothes because of the "Power of the Patch" and its use for intimidation purposes... but the person who wears the clothing is OK to be present...
Another small victory for common sense which as Mr. Delhon my grade 9 social studies teacher used to say "Common sense is not too common"

In other news:
The Prince George Renegades had a member arrested for drugs etc along with three other prince George citizens - the Renegades are reportedly a puppet club of the Red & White.

And in Hamilton two more associates of the Red & White were scooped in as part of Tuesday busts in Hamilton, Waterloo and Nanticoke.

In Regina some Bikers received an honor from the police for their bravery in stopping a machete wielding crazy man and another knife wielding man who were attempting to rob a gas station attendant.

Harley-Davidson may not be named the official motorcycle of Wisconsin...

Bar Hodgson of Toronto Super Show Fame has a documentary airing about his exploits in Bonneville - David Hatch is the producer of this documentary - if you miss it on  TV it will be aired at the Toronto Super Show in January.


For all of my friends with mobility issues who would love to ride again but are in a wheelchair...you might be pleased to hear this, there is a wheelchair accessible motorcycle on the market now! The Martin Conquest 

I have a video about the motorcycle linked here - she's pretty sweet looking!


Oh and don't forget to take our Hotel/Motel Customer survey - this is your opportunity to help us as a community impact customer service in the hospitality industry as it relates to motorcyclists and people in general! Click here to take the Survey.

If you are fortunate enough to live where you can ride - PLEASE - ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you...

If you are like me and living where there is snow, cold weather and riding feels like a distant dream -then get on the computer and find the BEST pictures of your ride because on January 1st, 2010 we begin the 3rd annual Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine - we have tons of fabulous prizes up for grabs!

And we are not done adding to the prize list!


Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com

Harley-Davidson has BIG plans for the ladies...

The month of May has been designated as Women Rider's Month by Harley-Davidson and on the 22/23rd of May they have a big weekend planned for the ladies which includes meeting Karen Davidson.  I had the pleasure of meeting Karen at the Toronto Super Show a few years back - she is a sweetheart!

Indian is sure getting the press these days, the Anchor of ABC's Good Morning America, Bill Weir is going to be riding the Dragon on an Indian!

A local store owner from her in Grande Prairie sent in a bit of a rant on Sears moving their call centers to the Philippines and has got a very valid point about who we should be supporting.

If you don't buy Canadian and in Canada you are not supporting our job market or our economy - so remember that the next time you go to buy outside of Canada and ask yourself - whose job did I just cause to get cut? It could be your own....


If you are lucky enough to be riding, (You dog you - and I do mean anyone who lives where they can ride - we have had snow for over a week) Please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP - A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com

On my way

In about 6 hours I will be on the highway to Edmonton. I'll be stopping in at Doug Blackie's in Leduc to wish him a Happy Birthday and to finish training Sandra.

Tomorrow at 5:30 am I am on a plane to Toronto and the Super Show - I am in the MAX Award winning riding club booth of the Chrome Divas as a special guest of the Toronto Super Show.

I am so honored and more excited than words can express!

I am looking forward to meeting Ken Venus of Biker Radio Magazine who interviewed me a couple of weeks ago and Adrian Blake from Ride On who interviewed me some time ago for the Sun...who knows, maybe I'll get a chance to turn the tables on them! It will be great to see Bar and Hedy again and I am finally going to get to meet Cookie, we missed each other the last time I was in Toronto when I got my MAX award.

I am very excited about going to all of the January Bike Shows - yes I am looking forward to seeing the new iron offerings but more importantly I am looking forward to seeing and meeting you - the wonderful people who make up this community!

Our Beat the PMS Blues Show 'n' Shine has 96 entries in it! Thank you everyone!
In my mind this is a huge success and Ali and I are already planning the next one!
This is a wonderful way to "meet" everyone. WOW!

While I am on the road, Arlene will be working her but off on the events calendars along with Bryan.

Ali and Lori will be approving new members, Ali will be posting the news and approving stories and I will fill in where I can as time and connections to the internet allows.

Wyz will be posting her daily puzzles and Sandra and Poet will be around in the forums.

I am going to keep my blog up to date and fill you in on how the shows are going, but watch the Busted Knuckle Chronicles and the BDB Club e-newsletter for features and discount coupons to some of the shows...

2009 is going to be the most fantastic year! I feel it in my bones!

Riders across Canada - United by our machines - Have a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Stay safe and warm and please, if you drink, find a safe way home please. I want you around to harass and laugh with next year!

Belt Drive Betty