Pay for use Insurance - what it means and why SGI is thinking of using it

I read with some concern about SGI pairing up with Baseline Telematics.

Here is the link to the article

There are claims that this system makes for better drivers and they hope it will be the same for riders.

The paying of people to take these units for a test drive concerns me.  I think that if they are going to monitor when and where you ride, and how you you ride - brake, speed etc., then they should also mount video cameras to record WHY those situations may be occurring.

According to the article: "Baseline Telematics is creating the first pilot program in the world to offer a Pay-As-You-Drive and Pay-How-You-Drive insurance coverage to motorcyclists in Western Canada. SGI would be the first in the world to use telematics for motorcycles.

Often called Usage-Based Insurance or UBI, Baseline Telematics has already a unique solution it offers Canadian insurers so they can use telematics devices in vehicles to record driving information, such as speed, braking, mileage and driving location in order to determine the risk of a claim associated with a vehicle. Baseline Telematics has already assisted several "early adopter" insurers take advantage of the benefits of the quickly evolving telematics based insurance trend.  The Baseline Telematics' technology provides a turn-key insurance telematics solution and the fastest implementation available in the market."

Please read the WHOLE article - do not take my word/interpretation of what I read as any kind of gospel.  Visit the web site refrenced in the article and read the section called THE FINE PRINT.

I am concerned when I see the word mandatory mentioned in any way - making this system manditory for any rider concerns me.

What I want to know is what is your take on this topic?

PLEASE - PLEASE - PLEASE read and share this information with everyone who rides as this has the potential to be the next war for equality that we need to address as a community!

In other news, Ray Sasseveille of Sturgis North fame has a concern on his hands.

Daniel Raymond Sasseville was given seven months in jail for sexual assault. He was ordered to provide a DNA sample and was placed on probation for three years.  Here is the link to the news article - his is the last one one the page: http://www.canada.com/Court+News/8630663/story.html

Here is an Update on the Daniel Raymond Sasseville information: http://www.yourlibrary.ca/community/richmondreview/archive/RR20010426/morenews.html

I am in Yellowknife NT today - tonight I will be riding with members of our military both serving and veteran - and with members of the general riding public - we civilians - I hear we are going for pie and coffee in a unique place!

I leave you with a few photos from last night's ride night in Yellowknife...

If you can join us tonight - registration begins at 5:30pm - kickstands up at 7PM - meet at the Co-op parking lot....

Bob Irwin

Robin Weber 

Swerve

George

Buddy AKA Graham

If you are lucky enough to be riding, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Bizarre weather all across Canada and Tragedy in QC.

Today is Day 22 of my Bikers United Conga and so far it's went very well.  Sure there's been a few challenges along the way but I'm having a wonderful time meeting up with old friends and making new, taking in breath-taking scenery, each day a new adventure.  

That said, I'm troubled by the news coverage I watch at night before I hit the hay.  My heart goes out to all those who are suffering this summer from the bizarre weather, those folks in Calgary, High River and other flood ravaged areas, now including Toronto!  The sudden hail-storms in Airdrie and Cochrane.  The 19 brave firefighters that lost their lives in Arizona.  My thoughts and prayers go out to to the victims and their families of the town of Lac-Megantic.  Their recent train disaster, such a terrible tragedy, the scope of which is still unfolding. 

Thoughts from the Road - 

Belt Drive Betty

Motorcycle Tour of Ireland with Celtic Rider!

Getting very excited about my upcoming motorcycle tour of Ireland with the good folks at Celtic Rider Motorcycle Rentals and Tours!  Have a look at my stunning itinerary:

Riding like a local in Northern BC & The Yukon Territory

I am sorry that I have not been able to keep you updated as to my travels for the Bikers United in Remembrance Conga. Internet connections here in the Yukon are sketchy at best!

Once I get to Kamloops BC it should be far easier for me to keep you updated on the adventures of Road Trip Rita and myself!

I have finally posted information on my travels and you can find them here:

Travel BC by Motorcycle: http://bcbymotorcycle.blogspot.ca

Travel Yukon by Motorcycle: http://yukonbymotorcycle.blogspot.ca

I still have to write about my adventure on the Top of the World Highway, my time in Beaver Creek at Buckshot Betty's and my stay at the Heritage House B & B in Whitehorse but time is short and I need to pack up and head to Watson Lake and Nugget City where I will be staying tonight...

I am praying for all those affected by the flooding in southern Alberta...you are in my heart and on my mind as I ride...

Ride Safe out there,

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

90 days, 30,000 KMs, 10 provinces, 2 territories - a Woman and her Beaver (mascot)

This past week has been frentically busy. Getting as much done, as many details finished before I leave on the Bikers United in Remembrance Conga.

It's a crazy amount f work and I have been told by more than one person that I am nuts.

I have questioned myself hard - leaving without all of my rooms organized is a wee bit scary and figuring out how I am going to run my business from the road is more than scary, it's daunting but after yesterday, I know rock solid in my heart that what I am doing is the right thing.

You see we went for a ride to Fairview and the Dunvegan Inn & Suites for Father's Day Brunch on our kick off  fundraiser and standing out side after brunch, I was approached by an older man asking about Belt Drive Btty and if we were part of the ride she was taking. I introduced myself to him and he shook my hand telling me he reads my column in the Northern Horizon all the time.

He asked me to explain to a younger man about the charities I would be riding for and so I did.
The younger man said "As a vet who suffers, I want to thank you for what you are doing, it means so much." He was misty eyed, his voice cracking and so was mine as I said "Thank you for your service to our country"

After Johnny Pag Motorcycles of Canada had to back out of coming right across Canada with me when Sven fell off a ladder, I questioned myself 1,000 times - is this an omen? Should I cancel? And little incident after little incident has pointed me to the fact that yes, I am doing the right thing.

My husband is being super, super supportive. Keeps telling me he's proud of me.

I am not doing this ride for EGO's sake. I am doing it for the men and women who have paid the price of serving our country and working for a government that too often, be it liberal or conservative, that has let them down. Hence why I am supporting V.E.T.S. - The Veterans Emergency Transition Services Centres.

I am doing it for the children who need specialized eye care and are in families who can not afford it.
Hence why I am supporting the Military Police Relay Ride for Blind Children.

I am doing it for those who suffer from PTSD. Vic Remillard, who took his own life, the soldier in Kingston who recently took his own life, and the fact that we have to have a Soldiers of Suicide support group for their families...for our writer and my friend Medric Cousineau who is taking on a far heavier challenge than I am walking to raise the money for 50 dogs in 50 days for 50 veterans.

So, I have many reasons to undertake this journey and I hope that one of those reasons resonates with you and that you will either join me at an event in a community near you OR you will consider making a donation by Pay Pal if you can't come out.

I want to raise enough money to buy 2 service dogs. That's $15,000 which means that I will also raise $15,000 each fors V.E.T.S. and the Military Police Relay Ride.

It's a HUGE goal, It's one that I truly hope I can reach. But I will only reach it if you are behind me - supporting me and these causes that I wished didn't exist.

No veteran should be homeless, no child should go without the surgeries or eye wear they need and no veteran, no family should have to go through PTSD alone.

Let's Put the Stigma Down - let's show these people they are not alone, that as a community we support them, appreciate them and will be there for them.

Yesterday's first event for our Conga was a humbling experience and I have a feeling this whole trip is going to be just that, humbling, filled with stories of need - let's make them stories of needs met - please.

Have a fabulous Monday folks - tomorrow I begin the voyage of my life and riding with you, making a difference with you is what is going to make this all worth while.

Join Road Trip Rita and I be it for an hour, a day, a week or the whole trip...

As Medric from Paws Fur Thought is always reminding me, "TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG"

I am riding everywhere I can this summer to support the three charities I am riding for.

Our First Fundraiser netted $100 for each of our three causes

Road Trip Rita was hugged and petted
by 20 people on her first ride.

Stay safe out there and please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Ride to Work today - it's good for the soul.

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider...

A plea to help fellow riders in a time of need.

On Monday when Jon Burman from Classy Chassis and I went for our ride, we were told about a fire at the Bobcaygeopn Bowling Lanes. What we did not know at the time was that the non profit riding club - The Kindred Forever had all of their stuffed teddy's for a childrens program at a local hospital and all of their ride night door prizes etc stored there.

Here is the information from Facebook:

We have lost about 40 small to medium Teddy Bears that were destined for the PRHC children's ward. Any help in rounding up NEW unused Teddy's would be greatly appreciated. Also, the Kindred group lost a hand-made quilt they were going to raffle off and a season's worth of door prizes for their bike night - so if you can help on that side of things, it wold be appreciated - contact Gord Wildman Kindred or Marnie Bear Kindred to offer assistance. THANK-YOU in advance my Facebook Friends! Teddy's can be dropped off at my house or R.J. Brown Insurance Brokers in Peterborough.

If you can help out the Kindred Forever with medium sized teddy bears, ride night prizes please send any donations to:

The Kindred Forever
C/O Marnie Goodall
P.O. Box 519
Omemee, Ont
K0L 2W0

You can also look up Marnie Bear Kindred and Gord Wildman Kindred on Facebook.

I leave you with a giggle or two shared by friends on FB & via email:

 

Thanks folks

Ride Safe

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Motorcycles, stamps, cops and more...

The weekend at the HHR and the National Memorial ride was impressive and deeply emotional.

If you are a subscriber to our newspaper, then you already know how I felt about attending the Heroes Highway Ride & Rally.  Lou and Graeme did an amazing job with the support of the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Units.  The ride was awesome, mother nature cooperated for a change and everyone who rode enjoyed the unified ride much better than last year's staggered leave ride.

The Heroes Highway Ride and Rally is a unique, free event that provides everyday Canadians the opportunity to meet members of the Canadian Armed Forces and say thank you personally.

It is also an opportunity to find out about the needs of our soldiers and our veterans along with the needs of their families.

While our government offers a fair amount of support for our troops, vets and their families I think we all agree that it can get better - a lot better.  Hence why there are organizations like the Tony Stacey Centre, a long term care facility that allows the vet and their spouse to remain TOGETHER.

There are other organizations looking to be supported and not just financially but with volunteering and other supports like the Military Family Resource Centres and the S.O.S. Project (Soldiers of Suicide), events like the Long Walk to Sanity and the Hillbilly Scavenger Hunt all hoping to attract your attention and support.

You can view all the photos from the HHR that I took on my Facebook Page - Bikers United in Remembrance

I ask you to like this page please as it will help keep you up to date with the Bikers United in Remembrance Conga among other things!

The ride to Ottawa on Sunday morning was overcast and cool, but Mother Nature didn't rain on us until after the ceremony and then only for a few minutes!

A Voodoo at the National War Museum

The started out with us going to the National War Museum, then we all gathered at the Air Force Museum to get ready for the short 2.5 KM ride to the cemetery. This is the ONLY day of the year that motorcycles are allowed!

About 70 bikes and 170 people took in the National Memorial Ride.
Our National Military Cemetery - Beechwood, is a beautiful final resting place.
It was a moving ceremony.  I will be writing an article for next weeks Busted Knuckle Chronicles.

Again, you can view the photo gallery of the ceremony on the Bikers United in Remembrance Facebook Page.

Monday was another wonderful day.  After editing photos and writing my HHR article and editorial, I was blessed to spend an afternoon riding with Jon Burman of Classy Chassis in Lakefield Ontario.

Jon is without a doubt one of the kindest people I have ever met.  And I do not say that just because he gave me his Road Glide to ride for the duration of my stay in Ontario, I say it, because he is.

We had the most wonderful afternoon taking in the renovations at Classy Chassis, going for supper and then riding into Whitby to take part in the last hale of the Kickstands Up Radio program on RealityRadio 101 - we ad a ball. Lou DeVuono, the host of the show, is also the organizer of the HHR.
Kyra Breach who raised $2,600 for the Wounded Warriors and her dad Shaun were in studio, along with Graeme Hume, cofounder of the HHR and organizer of the Kingston leg of this year's HHR was present, as was Bob Deadman - in total 7 of us shared the mic and our thoughts on the amazing weekend we had all just shared!

Tuesday was a hectic day, getting packed and ready to head home. I dropped Jon's Road Glide off - reluctantly, and then we were off to Hamilton.

I arrived home yesterday feeling like I had run the gauntlet.

Between the emotion that drained the life out of me at the Heroes Highway Ride & Rally and the National Memorial Ride and all of the riding and visiting I got to do - I was tuckered out.

My flight home from Hamilton Ontario was less than stellar. I had attempted do check in electronically 24 hours before my WestJet flight. That didn't work out so well and I ended up in the back row with no way to recline my seat and so I was about as comfortable as a cat on a hot tin roof.

I have never been so grateful to get in my car in all my life!
I stayed over night in Millet AB with a good friend and then made the drive to Grande Prairie.

I got home to cases and cases of our 2013 Rider Friendly Phone Books that arrived while I was away.  I am happy to say that they are gorgeous and I am very pleased with how they turned out.  They maybe two weeks late getting here but it was worth the wait. I begin the process today of getting them out in the mail to everyone who ordered them and to our advertisers to give away.  There are 12 ride maps in the books this time and it is my plan that the 2014 books will be even more extensive!

Canada Post has decided to honor the Motorcycle with a couple of stamps!

We have a new - former motor officer named Dave Hale from New Brunswick writing for The Busted Knuckle - if you get a moment visit Issu to read his columns and our entire paper.

The man has a wealth of information and guidance to offer...

Well folks - that's it for me today - got a ton of stuff to get labelled and off to our subscribers and businesses!!!!

Have a fabulous day and if you are lucky enough to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider