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Friday, July 23, 2010

The Alberta Government looses a respected spokesman

Trevor Coulombe, 38, of Edmonton — a married father of two, chief spokesman for the Children and Youth Services ministry is dead following a motorcycle accident on Green Mountain Road near Penticton, B.C at 6pm Wednesday night.

Apparently his riding partner saw him go off the road in his mirror - it appears that he mis judged/mis navigated the curve.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his colleagues and all of the children the man championed.

Now on to a really contentious issue for the Ontario ABATE in West Grey...

For the past 8 years of a 22 year old event called the Final Frontier, a 50 acre parcel of land owned by the ABATE group has been the rally's home.
Now it appears that because of some rule changes and some misinformation not only is the ABATE Group not being permitted to hold the event but it appears that they feel extremely unwanted now.

According to an article in the Post,: Council says the issue is the group not following proper zoning rules - the property is not a campground, and it shouldn't be used as one.

Apparently the zoning application for change and the appropriate fees were late, some of the neighbors had complained that they felt the trailers on the property were being slept in... so this year, the local businesses who rely on the income generated by the event are out of luck, so are all of the charities the event serves and a bunch of riders whose hearts are now heavy and feel very unwanted by the municipality where they own property.
So far the ABATE has spent over $11,000 on rezoning and bureaucracy that could have gone to charity (Grey Bruce Eat and Learn program)

It is sad, bureaucratic and disgusting based on everything I have read - but hey, that's just my 2 cents worth...

As always, you feedback and input is deeply appreciated - feel free to comment or add your knowledge to the information I have!

In other news:
In PEI riders say that getting a motorcycle license is too easy and in Saskatchewan too many are riding on learners permits.

In BC, two people were hospitalized after a collision in Chilliwack.

In the US Harley-Davidson has posted a profit but analysts warn that the writing is on the wall - this is as good as it gets for a while.

And also in the US Premium Exploration is searching for a new CEO after their CEO Wilf Struck was killed in a collision on his motorcycle with a drunk driver near Calgary.

We here at Belt Drive Betty Media are proud to announce our new Facebook Style applications! You can create your own group, create an event and invite people to attend, you can have your own video channels and you also have your own status wall. All of these applications work just like those on Facebook - you can ask people to become your friends and share stuff to Facebook! Come check out our tools - because ours is a closed community unlike Face book's, the likelihood of spammers getting in the way they do over there are far less (We hand approve all of our members) and - we are only riders here...
We'd love for you to join us - membership is FREE and comes with a membership card that is good for special services and discounts at over 250 Canadian locations!

Remember if you are looking for something to do this weekend our national calendars have a number of great events listed!

If you are among the fortunate and you are riding today - PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you, IS out to get you and PLEASE, save those pipes for when a vehicle attempts to violate your right of way...And no matter which event you attend - ENJOY yourself!

Belt Drive Betty

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

Contact Me

Thursday, July 22, 2010

So many questions...so few honest answers to be found

I have so many questions and sadly very few answers when it comes to these Motorcycle Noise bylaws that are springing up everywhere.

As our newspaper is very grass roots, several of the manufacturers and major "political" players in the motorcycle industry tend to "ignore" us. They very seldom answer our requests for assistance or information. So, it makes the job of getting to the bottom of the mystery and intrigue of any important topic a wee bit harder to accomplish.

The Moped Motorcycle Industry Council has reportedly told some dealers and others I have spoken to that they caught wind of the Federal Government attempting to rewrite a law regarding noise emission levels. I have hunted high and low and have contacted the ministry office (Transportation & Safety) only to be told there are not now and never have been any proposed changes to the noise laws under the Transportation Safety Act or through the DOT.

So...mystery number one. Where is this "rumour" really coming from?

Mystery number two is how every time I look in the news feeds lately, Luc Fournier, a member of the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council (MMIC), is present as a representative for the Society for Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) J2825 at town council meetings across Canada.

So here we are with the MMIC reportedly telling motorcycle dealers that they caught a law before it was re written - yet - no where do we see evidence of that. We have a manufacturers organization going around and promoting the SAE test that reportedly the MMIC funded - is there something going oon the we as riders are not being told?

What or who is driving this? Well if you listen to the rider on the street they think two things...that the manufacturers are trying to bolster sales of new bikes by making aftermarket exhausts completely illegal via a new noise standard or that the manufacturers are trying to get the Federal Law changed because Federal law states a motorcycle with a displacement larger that 175 CC Must be governed to 82 db. (http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/acts-regulations/regulations-crc-c1038-sch-v.1.htm)

In a recent article in the Caledon Express: “Three years ago, the Society of Automotive Engineers worked to create the SAE J2825 test,” said Fournier.

According to Fournier, he’s presented the test all over the country to municipalities dealing with the same issue. “The noise emission issue is rising here (Canada) and in the U.S. This is not unique to your municipality,” he said.

He also explained that the MMIC understands why municipalities are having difficulties developing policies for this particular issue. Communities are split between those who ride motorcycles as a hobby, and do so ethically, he said, and those who take advantage of the ability to create noise, and those who do not participate in the hobby and wonder what is proper, and what is excessive.

The MMIC believes this test will not only establish a way for authorities to ticket riders causing excessive noise, but will also establish a standard that will show when riders are not causing a problem, or breaking the law should council create a bylaw for authorities to enforce. They also believe this is an issue in which a small part of the riding community is causing 100 per cent of the problems, and having a set standard will ease the minds and concerns of the members of the community who don’t ride.

“We want to be part of the solution,” said Fournier. “We want to improve the image of the sport. What we want is a standardized approach. We want all jurisdictions to use the same approach when dealing with excessive noise.”

The test is simply the placing of a sound meter, a piece of equipment that can range between $700 and $15,000 according to Fournier, 20 inches from the rear of the motorcycles’ tailpipe at a set angle. The reader displays the decibel level given off by the bike. The test suggests municipalities look for a decibel level under 92 for a motorcycle at idle, and under 96-100 for certain RPM’s on bikes with differing amounts of cylinders.

To show the council what some everyday decibel levels are Fournier displayed a chart showing that a food blender is 88 decibels, a radio or television is typically 70 decibels, conversation is typically 60 decibels, and a rock concert is 110 decibels. End quote.

I personally am of the frame of mind that the MMIC and the Canadian arms of the manufacturers are trying to get Federal Law rewritten by pushing this testing standard.
It allows for higher noise levels that the Federal law does...and so would be very beneficial to the industry.

Truth be told - all aftermarket exhausts are really illegal and if you read the fine print or listen hard when they are sold to you - the pipes are being sold to you for off highway use only! And that applies be it a car, a truck or a motorcycle.

If you have information on this topic - we would really welcome it - I think all of us in the community would love to be better educated on this topic.

As always - your input is VERY welcomed! So what do you think?

In the news today:

In Nova Scotia the Retreads are making an impact as their numbers grow.

In BC the Popkum Motorcycle Track/Facilities are being hailed as very diverse.

Also in BC a Kelowna rider is dead after a crash near Beaverdell.

In the US: Harley is trying to make a decision on keeping plants in Wisconsin and the AMA announced that AMA Dragbike racing is suspended as the promoter closes the doors.

Also in the US a man who was stunting and speeding on his bike is facing jail time of 16 years but not for his riding antics - for allowing his video camera to video the Officer who stopped him.

If you are among the fortunate and you are riding today - PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you, IS out to get you and PLEASE, save those pipes for when a vehicle attempts to violate your right of way...

Belt Drive Betty

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

Contact Me

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Discrimination - a wider problem than we may understand

It appears that the discrimination that many riders face may be a far wider problem than we realize.
What makes me say that? Well - it appears that in Ontario at least - that if they were really interested in quelling the noise of motorcycles the way the grumbling has been (In Windsor particularly) then you would think they would embrace the electric motorcycle...but that is NOT the case from what I see in the news feeds this morning.

It appears to me, and this is truly just a hunch, that having people who ride motorcycles as a bad guy target is appealing to that jurisdiction - otherwise why wouldn't you embrace electric motorcycles...

The article entitled "Ontario To Subsidize Electric Cars, Not Motorcycles" points this very sentiment out.

It is a sad statement that we as motorcyclists must face: "This has got to be a blow for electric motorcycle companies, and another sign that the Canadian authorities don't think too much about motorcycle in general." states author Mike Werner.

MD's like Foothills in Southern AB and regions like Surrey, Chilliwack and Delta BC look, Windsor ON and many other jurisdictions are watching what happens with Edmonton's bylaw and await the first trials and court hearings to see if the discriminatory way Edmonton is handling noise issues will be allowed to stand or not.

In other news:
US Highland has named new executive in their bid to get back to business after the tragic plane crash that killed three of their top people.

Harley-Davidson is doing it's part to manage the prices of used bikes...

In Newfoundland The Bacchus Motorcycle Club is claiming harassment and discrimination after a weekend stop by The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary

There are many more news article to read over at www.beltdrivebetty.com in the what's hot section!

I encourage you to join us as a registered member so that you can take advantage of the FREE membership card and the savings attached to that card - it is good for special services and discounts at over 260 locations and growing folks! remember membership at www.beltdrivebetty.com is FREE

We have some great photo contests happening this summer -
check them out here: http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/whats-hot/contests

If you are among the fortunate and you are riding today - PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you, IS out to get you and PLEASE, save those pipes for when a vehicle attempts to violate your right of way...

Belt Drive Betty

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

Contact Me

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Death & Carnage - hope and light

It has been a really sad and tragic weekend for the riding community again.

The number of accidents and deaths reported this past weekend make this gal's heavy heart even heavier.

While I was on the road back from Kamloops BC to go see my brother who has terminal lung cancer, I saw about 100 bikes whose riders were all wearing safety vests or really bright orange or yellow vests over their leathers. At one gas station I asked the group of about 10 why they were all wearing these vests and their answer was resounding - SO PEOPLE IN CARS, TRUCKS and SEMIS will see us.

Now, a good number of the accidents that were reported in the news feeds had a lot to do with speed and some sadly with alcohol BUT, a number of them involved left hand turns by cagers...I wished that wasn't the case, but it is. I hope more riders will look into creative ways to be seen and that those who ride to fast for their ability will consider slowing down and if they don't realize they are riding above their ability - that their friends will point that out to them before it is too late.

I myself am looking into the vest idea - I like that - a lot - my only fear is that if we all do that - will our vests become so common place that cagers will miss seeing us then too?

I hope to start seeing some really good photos submitted to our two contests!

The Ride Like a Local Photo Contest.
The Rules are simple...
Take a picture of YOU and YOUR Ride in front of your favorite Canadian Summer Destination, Attraction or Event.
We want to see photos from and in every province and territory in Canada!
Submit your picture between July 1st and September 30th, 2010
Win 2 nights stay at a participating RFBA hotel, motel, campground or B&B of your choice: (List of participating accommodations providers will be announced soon) OR $150.00 cash!

The other Contest:
Take a picture of the WORST Canadian Road you come across this summer!
We want to see photos from and in every province and territory in Canada!
Submit your picture between July 8th and September 30, 2010
We haven't decided on a prize yet!

The contests are open to registered members of www.beltdrivebetty.com and remember - membership is FREE!

I am in the process of reading a book by Don Norris called "Riding with Attitude" - all about the Satan's Choice...we will have two copies to give away - so stay tuned!

In other news:
In Alberta - a hero died and was laid to rest...Kent Pankow lost his fight with cancer.

In BC the RCMP were pleased to announce that the Summer Stomp was a much quieter affair!

In Grand Bank Nfld a woman who was killed in a US crash - was buried and her community celebrated her life as a volunteer.

In Ontario the UN-NATO group hosted a Veterans ride for a Hero and had 125 riders come out. Also in Ontario, John's Journey was a huge success.

If you are among the fortunate and you are riding today - PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you, IS out to get you and PLEASE, save those pipes for when a vehicle attempts to violate your right of way...

Belt Drive Betty

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

Contact Me

Saturday, July 17, 2010

From bikers being banned at an English Cafe to 105 Year old woman who still wants to ride.

Yes, you read the headlines right. In Great Britian a cafe that has for years catered to motorcyclists has recently begun to close early to discourage bike night and is in fact thinking of banning bikes all together if things continue the way they are. The owner John Simpson, who himself is a rider is overwhelmed. His ride night went from 200 bikes to upwards of 1,000 and consequently he and his staff of three can't keep up - to top it all off he is being slammed and criticized for discriminating.

According to the Northern Echo:
He said the cafe could not accommodate the volume of bikers turning up and it had begun to ruin the experience for other customers.
Mr Simpson said the Lord Stones was never meant to be solely a bikers’ cafe, and many of its customers were families, walkers, gliders, cyclists or horse riders.
Customers and members of the public had also been shocked after some bikers became aggressive – when Mr Simpson refused to open his gates after hours, or told them they would have to wait in line for their food, they shouted and swore......
“All we want is responsible bikers and they are very welcome.
“We used to have a nice friendly night, and we would end up with a couple of hundred.
But what happened this year went out of control. We just cannot cope with those numbers.
“We are everybody’s cafe – everybody is welcome and nobody is turned away in the hours we are cooking, as long as we can cope.”

The old adage that success can kill is true and how in the heck can these riders become so "Aggressive" It is also reported that there is a face Book Group that has become rather aggressive...come on folks...is this really the way to go about getting things changed? Threatening people, being rude, chasing away his other customers?

Whenever you get that many people converging in one place with no "supervision" the probability that things will become stupid goes up - I feel for this man and his staff, every article I have read on this story is the same, the man feels overwhelmed and under supported by a community that he says he has done a lot for. Responsible motorcyclists will always be welcome he says...

Then there is the story of a 105 year old woman named Winifred Brown in the UK who want's to go for a motorcycle ride...
A SWINDON centenarian proved she is still raring to go as she celebrated her 105th birthday by asking to get back on a motorcycle...
Janet Cooke, Win’s only child, said: “It’s wonderful to see her doing so well.
“She’s still sharp and she always loved the outdoors.
“My father bought a motorcycle in 1929 and she put a cushion on the back and they rode it all the way to Wales.”

There is a ton of news again today including our 2 contests...
The Ride Like a Local Photo Contest.
The Rules are simple...
Take a picture of YOU and YOUR Ride in front of your favorite Canadian Summer Destination, Attraction or Event.
We want to see photos from and in every province and territory in Canada!
Submit your picture between July 1st and September 30th, 2010
Win 2 nights stay at a participating RFBA hotel, motel, campground or B&B of your choice: (List of participating accommodations providers will be announced soon) OR $150.00 cash!

The other Contest:
Take a picture of the WORST Canadian Road you come across this summer!
We want to see photos from and in every province and territory in Canada!
Submit your picture between July 8th and September 30, 2010
We haven't decided on a prize yet!

The contests are open to registered members of www.beltdrivebetty.com and remember - membership is FREE!

In other News:
The RCMP in BC are warning those who drink and drive of new tough measures coming this Fall. In BC if you get caught driving in the danger/warning zone of .05-.08 you will get a three day suspension of your license, a $200 fine and then when you go to renew your license you will HAVE to go to a mandatory defensive driving course at a cost of $1200 and you will pay a higher license renewal fee. In all that one extra drink could cost you around $4,000...

Aerosmith's Joe Perry was rear ended while on his motorcycle - he escaped serious injury though...

There's a ton of other interesting stuff in the what's hot section of www.beltdrivebetty.com hope to see you there!

PLEASE, no matter what event you are attending, no matter where your holidays are taking you - PLEASE, ride like every corner holds a moose/deer or elk, that every driver of a cage is BLIND , can not see you you and IS out to get you - ride safe...you are important here. Ride Proud not Loud - save those pipes for when someone tries to violate your lane...

Belt Drive Betty

A MAX Award winning web site!

National VP of Marketing

Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education