Riding Clubs & Associations - the DOWN SIDE to being identifiable

So you want to be in a riding club or motorcycle association....

Do you know the risks of being in an identifiable group like motorcycle riding club?

HOW ABOUT BEING SUED FOR BEING NOISY?

Does your riding club or association have insurance?
Can you afford a lawyer?  Will your insurance provide one?
Do you have a Defence Fund? Are you prepared for an increase in your insurance, assuming you have some.

We have well and truly become Americanized; where everyone sues everyone in order to force their point of view.

The Fort Saskatchewan Motorcycle Association has been named in a lawsuit along with the city of Fort Saskatchewan, a number of city officials, Justice Minister Jonathan Denis and the RCMP according to and article in the Fort Saskatchewan Record.

The courts will take two weeks to decide if this case will move ahead, however, whether it moves forward or not, there is a certain amount of damage already done to the FSMA over this and that is that their association's insurance premiums will most likely be increased and that will cause the group untold financial discomfort and could put their Toy Run and Cancer Run at jeopardy. In fact, this could reverberate down to every non profit and their insurance.

The dispute stems from the noise of motorcycles, and according to news articles, the man at the centre of the dispute, Richard Charles Jones who is 70 years of age, says he has been battling for 15 years over the noise generated by the FSMA's Toy Run. He's been a resident of Fort Saskatchewan Alberta for 17 years according to the referenced article. The FSMA has been around since the 1970's.

He claims: "“I’m a reasonably patient man but 15 years has just put me over the top, especially with that Toy Run parade, which is nothing but a hoax,” Jones said, adding he believes the Fort Saskatchewan Motorcycle Association misrepresents themselves and is a “clandestine” organization.

“This is a hoax for a bunch of bikers to get together and make a lot of noise. That’s all it’s ever been and it will never be anything else,” the plaintiff remarked." End Quote

I have attempted to find out which Quebec community won an 8 million dollar lawsuit that Mr. Jones references in his interview. I will be working very hard to find that come Monday as of the time of wiring I have had no success finding that information.

There is a partial solution to the motorcycle noise problem, one that would eliminate probably 70% or better of the noise issues and complaints and that is for motorcycle dealers to quit selling aftermarket pipes that are meant for off road use only and putting them on for highway use motorcycles.

If it were illegal to sell them and install them and dealers were fined - we'd resolve a lot of the issue.

Yes, there would still be the guys who would modify their exhaust on their own, but with the lack of knowledge most people have of computer controlled fuel systems etc., they would be fewer and farther between. Once their motorcycle started running like crap they'd be repairing their exhaust.

Another part of the solution, is for riders who are respectful, who don't want to be targeted or sued all the time to out those who are not considerate or respectful. That could be done a number of ways.  I'll leave it to your imagination as to how you could help keep the disrespectful in your community in line a little more.

Another thing that could be done is a signage program asking visitors and local riders to respect one's community by throttling down in residential, hospital, seniors home and school zones.  Reminders NEVER HURT.

Or we could all turn to electric motorcycles.
Then no one could bitch about us or our noise, because we wouldn't make much noise.

The bad assed image, the role playing so many who get on a motorcycle partake in; that's our problem!

The man in this lawsuit, Richard Jones, has had an offer of financial support for his court costs from the group One Square Inch of Silence, a Seattle noise-free advocate group for Washington’s Olympic National Park according to the article referenced above.  I will be making phone calls to find out if that is in fact true.

Alberta has become the centre of the fight against motorcycle noise pollution in Canada.
The eyes of noise pollution activists are going to be on this suit as it has been reported throughout the media all across North America.

This man, Richard Jones, has set a dangerous precedent and whether he is successful or not, others who follow will learn and change tactics and the try it again - have no doubt about that.

A non-profit motorcycle association, one that has been around since the 70's is facing a legal battle they cannot afford to fight and why? Because they are identifiable; visible.

The Fort Saskatchewan Motorcycle Association needs help. If for no other reason than the ensuing rise in their insurance premiums, but be aware, they won't be alone. Every riding club and  association's risk factor for being sued just went up and that will reflect in increased premiums most likely.

I want to make one thing abundantly clear to everyone who reads this - this issue of noise is NOT going to go away.

So folks, all of you who are in a social riding club, do you have insurance?
Are you prepared to fight a legal battle if need be?
Do you have a Legal Fund?

If not, you'd best get your affairs in order, because this IS going to become the norm.

I have been PREACHING for years that we needed to self police things, that we needed a riders rights organization, but as usual deaf ears heard none of those dire warnings.

Now everyone who rides with a motorcycle riding club, association etc. could find themselves being sued, even if they aren't the offenders. You are identifiable because you wear a patch, you are at risk while the person with no patch and rides in an obnoxious fashion is not so easily identified.

Well done complacent riders of motorcycles - well done. Its time to pull your heads out of the sand and quit thinking it won't affect you or that it doesn't affect you because it does.  It affects our events, our lifestyle and our freedoms.

Now we all get to pay the price for the inconsiderate few.

M.O.D.E.L. (Motorcyclists Opposed to Discriminatory Exhaust Legislation) has not gotten the support from riders it needs to get rid of the discrimination aspect of the Edmonton Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaw.

Now this situation in Fort Saskatchewan - I guess it is truly time to look at electric motorcycles and how they will allow us to stay riding and on the right side of our neighbours because yeah - we aren't smart enough collectively to do the right thing - PIPE DOWN IN URBAN AREAS and to out those who are destroying it for the rest of us.

This is going to be one expensive lawsuit to fight, and as a non profit they, the FSMA, do NOT have the funds to protect themselves not for the legal fees or the increase in insurance premiums they will undoubtably face.

Our newspaper and web site will be offering all of the support we can to them, but none of that is going to mean anything if people don't reach into their wallets.

Perhaps, just perhaps this lawsuit will be the impetus to a uniting of voices and people to form a Riders Rights Organization. One that can help defend and protect the riding community. I keep hoping, praying....

Your comments on how ridiculous or stupid this is, are not going to change the facts.
Your bitching and whining, is not going to change the facts.
Your spouting off that "Loud Pipes Save Lives" is not going to change the fact that Loud Pipes only saved lives by driving motorcycles right into the ditch: no riders, no death.

I hope that if you are riding today you will be respectful in urban areas and please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

My New Business Year Resolution & An Important Announcement

This past year has been one of the most difficult I have faced in my life and I am so grateful you have had the patience to stick with me through this. My business's new year started on October 1st and man I am glad to be starting with a fresh perspective on things!

After speaking with some really good business people that I know and trust, I have come to a decision regarding the lawsuit against me.

This lawsuit, which has become very personal, has hurt my business and my life in more ways than one.

My integrity as a reporter who does her job properly has been attacked.  In all the years I have been reporting I have only ever had to make three or four corrections and or apologies for getting something wrong or printing something in error.  Yes, I have made some mistakes, I am human, but I have learned so much from those mistakes.

If I've done something out of line - tough as it is to do, I have always taken it on the chin, let me know about it, let's discuss it and if I am wrong, I'll fix it. And because I hate having to apologize,
I work really, really hard at doing a good job, being as impartial and factual as I can.

My husband went through untold stress, enough that he ended up facing some challenges for a bit with his MS. THAT'S REALLY PERSONAL.

In an effort to be prepared for court there were countless of hours of putting emails and documents into spreadsheets and ensuring chronological accuracy along with cross referencing.  There are close to 1000 documents and they all had to be read, highlighted, categorized.
The hours and money spent doing that...

There was the whole being reduced to fundraising thing that humbled the crap out of me.

Then there is how this thing has affected my business, with people not paying their bills with me, some breaking contracts and some not wanting to do business with me until this turkey is off my back...there will be a few that I will never do business with again because they displayed a total lack of integrity and you know what, I am fine with firing a customer or walking away from a potential partnership.

Try to stay focused on business - that's rough when 50% of the calls and emails you take are consumed with this ridiculous lawsuit in one way or another.

The toll it has taken has been enormous.

My New Business Year Resolution? I AM NOT PLAYING THIS GAME ANYMORE!

Since the Sturgis Canada event in August, no one has been able to contact Ray or their lawyer/s.
NO ONE is responding.

I could go to the expense of forcing the case to move ahead to clear my name and get this turkey off my back, loosing my business, my sanity and everything else OR....
I can just let it be and let them make the next move, make them spend the money first.
It could end up hanging there for years, and if it does hang around, I'll deal with it when my business is better financially prepared to.

Why spend money I don't have on a lawyer, until I absolutely have to. Why sell my bike if I don't really need to just yet.

If it affects some people to the point they don't want to do business with me, then so be it.
I have a letter from my attorney that explains how there is no substance to their case and I have a ton of supporting documents to back it all up with.
I have been told I can share those documents to prospective advertisers and partners.
If after they read them they are still concerned, then there is nothing more I can do but walk away.

I am not going to worry about it any more.

Ray I am sure has bigger fish to fry than me right now.
He is facing a BC Securities Inquiry for a second time at the end of the month. There is a four day hearing scheduled.  If anything significant comes out of that I will share what I am able. His trial in Arizona moves forward in May of 2015.  Other than that, I don't want to think about this person or his event much less speak of it again.

Things are going to be tough for the next 6-8 weeks as I get ready to pay my final, for now, lawyer's bill, but there are blue skies ahead and I am heading for them, no I am AIMING for them.

I am not letting these people or that event steal one more minute of joy, happiness or gratitude out of my life.

And believe me - I am grateful for so much.

I am part of a community that has supported me, albeit I am sure you are tired of this whole ridiculous affair called a lawsuit. I know I am. I have a husband who has stood beside me, fabulous friends who let me vent and lend me strength, I AM SOOOOO Blessed.

With out your support I don't know where I would be, but I know this...
I promised to pay it forward and that is exactly what I intend to do!

We are going to get back to what we do best with a vengeance!

We are going to help promote the Canadian Riding Scene in a way that has NEVER been attempted before. Along with some fabulous sponsors and some incredible media partners we are going to be giving away over $65,000 in advertising support to 12 Canadian Communities.

The winning community will get a marketing campaign made up for them from our pool of media partners worth $35,000! They will get a sign for the entrance to their town and they will also get a trophy and the bragging rights as "Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community!"

With YOUR help, we are going to find that community and when we do, we are going to help that community promote itself to the riding community through every avenue possible.

Watch your emails, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds and more because this is going to be the most interesting contest we have EVER HOSTED!

I wanted you to have as much time as we can give you to start thinking about what community you love to ride to, or about your own community and is it rider friendly?

So I thought this was a fitting time to share with you - this has been a daunting contest to put together and while not all details are finalized, the time for YOU to start planning in NOW!

What community hosts the best event? Has the best customer service, unique roads to ride...
Why do you love the community you live in?
How can you tell a story that will make others want to experience your community?

Think long and hard...

Here is an overview of the contest and how it works...

Prize Chart

1) Submit your nomination for a community; you will submit the written information on why and how the community is rider friendly. You can back up your submission with photos and video if you choose (we highly recommend you do)

2) If yours is the first nomination for your community, it will be referred to as the primary nomination.

3) If the community you are nominating has already been nominated by someone your nomination will be considered a supporting nomination and will be placed under the primary nomination.

4) The more supporting nominations a community receives the better chance the community has of moving on from the judging panel to the first Public/Social Voting Period.

5) All primary nominations and supporting nominations for each community will make up their entry and if they move on, their voting page.

The In House judging panel will choose the top 12, 6 from each bracket, east and west.

The nominations will be scored using a 100-point system.
•Originality (25%)
•Community history, events and tourism offerings (25%)
•Pride in community (spirit), the number of supporting submissions (25%)
•Number of Rider Friendly Business Association® Members that are in the community’s proximity (25%)

Once the judging period is over, the top 6 communities from each bracket, east and west will move to the public/social voting phases.

Now that's the basics and they should not change.

Start thinking of how you are going to use video, photos, historical ties to the motorcycle community, events, road side attractions, tourism offerings, great roads, and great customer service to tie it all into a fantastic nomination.

The competition is limited to communities with populations of 125,000 and SMALLER.
The competition is about how well you can sell your town as being rider friendly, about how many riders you can persuade to vote for your town if your town makes it past the judging panel!

A united approach to this contest will work the best - so get with your Chamber of Commerce, your Economic development office, your tourism department and work as a team to promote your community to the rest of Canada and the world...

Beginning Monday we will start reaching out to all of the Chambers of Commerce, Community Service Organizations, Riding Clubs, Tourism Departments, Dealers etc...

Who will be "Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community?"

Let's see some Canadian Pride, some community pride and some good old fashioned rivalries!

It all begins Canada Day July 1st when we open the web site up to receive the first nominations!

Have a fantastic day and don't forget to read the Busted Knuckle Chronicles - Canada's Rider Powered Newspaper! It's in your inbox this morning and available at www.bustedknucklenews.com

If you are blessed to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Non Profit Motorcycle Club being sued over NOISE

According to an article on the CBC web site and one in the National Post,  the City of Fort Saskatchewan, the RCMP, and the Fort Saskatchewan Motorcycle Association are being sued by an elderly gent who is tired of having his peace and quiet disrupted.

He says his complaints have fallen on deaf ears for 18 years and he's tired of it.

Noise, it has become such a bone of contention and as our cities get bigger, it will become even more contentious.

I know what the gent in these articles, Richard Jones, feels like. I truly can empathize.

When we bought our home in 2001, it was on a dead end street with a green space at the top of the T intersection that separated our community of Avondale from the bypass.  It was wonderful, two school yards in our back yard (so very quiet at night) and very little traffic in the front.

We felt like we lived in the country with all of the conveniences of being in a small city.

Then the city, in its wisdom, punched through that lovely green space and put a connector to the bypass in.

Our street became a race track.  To slow traffic down, the city the installed these hideous centre dividers with planted trees in them, and installed bike paths although the bicyclists still prefer to use the sidewalk.  They installed these ridiculous bulbous sidewalk turnouts at every intersection so that pedestrians didn't have so far to go to cross the road (Like 10' makes that much of a difference to a person on foot).

All through this process, no matter how much people didn't want this development, not the connector to the bypass or the stupid big cement planters, or the idiotic 3 blocks of bike path, no one would listen to the people who live here.

All of the planning and info meetings were nothing more than a delivery method that said this is what you are getting. There was no consideration for those who live here.

The hideous planters did little to slow people down and when you add the new fire hall into the mix, (we are now on a major route now for the fire trucks), let's just say what used to be a peaceful place to live is no longer peaceful.

Our street used to be a major school bus route and in the winter it was cleaned so fast and so well but now, because of those ridiculously hideous planters and the sidewalk turnouts at the intersections, our street is not the priority it once was and the grader operators have a hell of a time trying to clear our street now.

I understand Mr. Jones frustration with the noise.  For him the noise might be motorcycles, in our case, it's chipped up 4 x 4's and import cars with booming stereos and fire trucks. We have the odd biker that rips through our neighbourhood on the throttle, barking their pipes steady - they piss me off too, but most people who ride through our neighbourhood are polite and respectful.

I know this much:

- There are inconsiderate people in every walk of our society.
- Change is the inevitable.
- Growth has both a positive and negative side.

My husband an I still lament the changes, we still long for the "old" days when our community was a peaceful and restful place at night. (School yards during the day are noisy and we have two directly out back of our home.)

What are the answers to teaching people consideration?
What are the answers to having our elected officials actually listening to their citizens and being fair, impartial and realistic in their approaches to situations?
What are the answers to noise pollution?

I have no idea.

Richard Jones says he's in it for the long haul, that he's tired of being ignored.

Is this a frivolous lawsuit or is it meant to force the city of Fort Saskatchewan to adopt a motorcycle only noise bylaw or more?

I'd love to go set up a video camera on this man's street and record the traffic and noise he says he experiences.  I wonder if all that noise he talks about is truly motorcycles.

I still can't fathom someone suing a non profit association that does so much good in their community.

Did it really need to go this far?

I wonder if at any point it was ever suggested that all parties get together and have a chat?

While I empathize with Mr. Jones, I think his way of going about things is horribly wrong minded, that's my personal feeling.

What say you?

I'll be contacting people from the Fort Saskatchewan Motorcycle Association and seeing if there is anything we can do to assist them in their legal battle. I know all too well how time consuming, how costly and how frustrating it is to be named in a suit that is just so wrong on so many levels.

Have a great day, and if you are blessed enough to be riding today, please, ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider

So, what is the "Biker" way?

Throughout the years that I have been part of the motorcycle community, I have heard motorcyclists spout off about brotherhood, family, being solid, having your back.

But really, what does that mean?

I was recently criticized for fundraising for my defence fund in the Sturgis North Lawsuit.
I was compared to the Aging Rebel: "Say what you want to about Aging Rebel, but I could never see him begging money from his readers to pay for legal fees arising from his own stupidity.. But then again, We Americans are different from "We Canadians"... Call the IO, maybe they can help you out"

It's not the first criticism I have received but it was the straw that broke the camel's back.

For the last 12.75 years I have done my best to create a new life for myself as the editor of "The Busted Knuckle Chronicles", Canada's Rider Powered Newspaper.

My life has been wildly interesting and filled with big love, big loss, big betrayal, big reward and big challenges so far, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

For those of you who don't know me or my history - here's a brief overview:

• Born in Fort Churchill Manitoba to a French Canadian mother and a Scots/Polish father.
• Oldest of 4
• Lived all over Canada 
• Have travelled all of Canada
• Married an American jet car driver
• Had one child - a girl now 30
• Travelled all of the United States
• Worked 2 and 3 jobs for a lot of years
• Owned my own flower shop for 7 years
• Had a bad automobile accident - a 17" Canoe came off a vehicle travelling the opposite direction and landed in front of my car at 100KPH (60MPH)
• I struggle with PTSD and Depression
• Care gave to my father while he died of cancer. He was paralyzed from the chest down.
• He sexually abused me from the age of 12 to 18
• Cut my alcoholic mother out of my life, physically and verbally abusive are some of her more desirable traits
• Started my newspaper for riders originally as a hobby to give me something to do after the car crash.
• Lost my kid brother to cancer, he was 18 months younger than I, married with an 18 yr old young son who held him as he bled out. During a coughing fit his carotid artery  burst
• I am now a great aunty - three times over.
• My husband, a wonderful man, was diagnosed with MS about 11 years ago - it's been an interesting road for both of us
• In the last 4 months I have said goodbye to 6 friends - three of them very close
• I have been blessed to be able to raise 3/4 of the funds needed to fight this lawsuit so far.

Like every living human being - life has happened to me.

The lawsuit with Sturgis North is a thorn in my side, a drain on the joy of life.
It is time consuming, tedious and outrageously expensive and not just monetarily.

I researched the hell out of the articles I wrote on the event, the event coordinators.
The information I dug up was already in public domain, I just brought it all together in one place where people could educate themselves.  My goal always has been to provide people with the information they need to make informed choices.

There are other 6 people who were sued in this shotgun lawsuit that did nothing wrong either.

All through my life, I have done my best to be generous of my time and my money.
My home has always been open to riders in need, to friends and family in need.

You see my own family didn't know how to love or show it, but the bikers I hung with did.

I do my best everyday to be the best possible person I am capable of being.
I have sold tee shirts, auctioned off all kinds of items and done everything I know of to keep the wheels on the bus. I have employees who rely on me and customers who don't pay their bills - just like every small business owner out there.

Is this the new way in the biker community?
Is asking for help something shameful?

Every weekend this community supports thousands of causes with millions of dollars.
Helping those who can't help themselves is something this community has always done.

It is what I was taught to do...pay it forward into the community...

Since I started the newspaper, I have donated an average of $300,000 in free advertising to the riding clubs and the charities they support.  I didn't give the help and support thinking I'd get anything in return, but I didn't expect to be kicked in the teeth for asking for some help either.

Doc has just under 10,000 Miles on him

Asking for help was a very hard enough for me to do.

My lawyers bill is caught up on for the time being.

I am attempting to sell my Ultra Classic (Doc on the left) to pay the next bill I know is coming.

In the meantime, the lawyer for Sturgis North, Gerhard Pyper is being reinstated by the BC Law Society so perhaps, just perhaps the other 4 cases that were supposed to be dropped will now finally process through the courts and I can get on with defending myself, fighting for my freedom as a reporter and a citizen.

So I ask you - what is the biker way?

I put myself out there to help educate the community about an event/event coordinator with what appears to be a toxic record.

Now I am being sued.

Do I just suck it up and let the bully win because I don't have the resources to fight him?

OR do I ask for help and support?

I hope you have a good Monday and if you are blessed enough to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor  Rider

A response from the CFSEC to my letter

Good Morning Ms. Charbonneau,

Thank you for your email. While not a “report”, I want to thank you for bringing what is a poorly worded sentence of some of our old web-only content to my attention, especially since it is accompanied by a photo of a 1% patch next to it that doesn’t represent the best image for the content. I will ensure that the content is updated to clearly reflect that while not all Outlaw MC/MG’s are 1% but all 1% clubs are Outlaw MC/MG’s, that wearing a three-piece patch does, in fact, traditionally symbolize the “outlaw” designation and all that comes with it (consent from the dominant club, a fealty-like form of support and association, etc).

I do notice, however, that you’ve posted a blog entry without the benefit of a reply. I am disappointed that you, who is a motorcycle journalist, would not fact check, make an inquiry, and/or have a conversation with me before you posted your “story”, as the majority of journalists would normally do.

Unfortunately, and quite tragically in many cases, we have seen many “non-outlaw” motorcycle “groups” here in British Columbia in recent years drift closer or associate more and more with the more well-known OMG’s and their overt support clubs in this province. These groups wear three-piece patches with the consent of the HA or their support clubs and in addition to being found at more and more HA rides or OMG events, their members are involved or suspected of being involved in various levels of criminality with or in support of traditional OMG groups.

This is, and should be, completely unacceptable to not only all legitimate MC’s and riders, especially those law-abiding ones in these groups/clubs, but the general public as well. These people are hiding behind what some are purporting to be “non-outlaw” groups, when, in fact, many of them are more “outlaw” than they claim to be and are quickly moving closer to being a “gang” and further from a mere “club”. We know this because of our investigations, what members of these groups tell us, and what is seen in public.

Regards,

Lindsey

Sergeant Lindsey Houghton Media Relations Officer Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit - BC Desk: 778-290-3099 (Mon-Thurs) Cell: 604-764-9085 Lindsey.Houghton@cfseu.bc.ca @LHoughtonCFSEU CFSEU-BC's Website Follow us on Twitter @CFSEUBC and like us on Facebook Dear Lindsey, The column I write is an opinion piece. The fact remains that, that content is on YOUR web site - I found it through an ad for the 2014 REPORT - Prevention and Public Engagement that takes one to this web page:http://www.cfseu.bc.ca/en/  The report however is buried on the bottom of  this page: http://cfseu.bc.ca/en/end-gang-life The content is on your site, and needed no clarification or verification from your office. The content is there for all to see. It's in public domain, I took offence, I wrote to you and I wrote about the offence I took and shared my letter to you.   For you to accuse me of not being like other journalists, well - I am not.  For you to jump to the conclusion that I would not give your response the "air time" it deserved is totally untrue. Please believe me I will be posting your response, in it's entirety.  Just because I tend to do things a little differently from other journalists does not mean that I don't offer the opportunity to provide dialogue and comment.  Your full response to my first letter letter and my response to you will be the topic of another "Editorial Comment" on this topic, in the very near future. I may or may not wait for your response to this letter before I share my personal feelings, observations and opinions with my readers. Just so as we are both clear, this is on the record. So let's dive into the topic at hand. Your comments are rather confusing as your ad for the web site report was on the Eagle Valley News web site today so I am unclear as to how this is OLD content.  Perhaps having a date it was created would be handy, then one could identify if it is outdated content.   Thank you for your email. While not a “report”, I want to thank you for bringing what is a poorly worded sentence of some of our old web-only content to my attention, especially since it is accompanied by a photo of a 1% patch next to it that doesn’t represent the best image for the content. I will ensure that the content is updated to clearly reflect that while not allOutlaw MC/MG’s are 1% but all 1% clubs are Outlaw MC/MG’s, that wearing a three-piece patch does, in fact, traditionally symbolize the “outlaw” designation and all that comes with it (consent from the dominant club, a fealty-like form of support and association, etc). WHAT is an "MG" if not a Motorcycle Gang?   There are NO Outlaw Motorcycle Groups - they are Motorcycle Clubs.  OMG - Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs is a designation the police services created and has no place in the motorcycle community.  We were discussing Outlaw Motorcycle CLUBS and the mis representation/information on your site that the three piece patch is an indication of 1% affiliation. Your attaching the "MG" police designation beside the MC designation is confusing.  Or did you mean Motorcycle Group?  If that is the case, and I believe it is, then you really are doing a disservice to all riders.  The statement should read "NOT ALL Outlaw Clubs are 1% Clubs but ALL 1% Clubs are Outlaw Clubs". PERIOD I take a lot of offence to this comment: "that wearing a three-piece patch does,in fact, traditionally symbolize the “outlaw” designation and all that comes with it (consent from the dominant club, a fealty-like form of support and association, etc)." In Fact NOT all Outlaw Clubs go to the dominant club for permission, there are many Law Enforcement Motorcycle Clubs, Veterans Motorcycle Clubs as well as those who accept law enforcement and first responders into their clubs, who wear a three piece patch and have a prospecting phase, who do not approach a dominant and do not follow the COC protocols.   They are still three piece patch clubs, Outlaws by the strictest of definition, but not 1%. The Outlaw designation does NOT necessarily come with consent from the dominant club, it is not a fealty like form of support and in no way represents association.   The Outlaw designation has everything to do with earning a patch and nothing else.  Could you please make your wording less ambiguous? Please? I take a lot of offence to this particular paragraph: Begin Quote: Unfortunately, and quite tragically in many cases, we have seen many “non-outlaw” motorcycle “groups” here in British Columbia in recent years drift closer or associate more and more with the more well-known OMG’s and their overt support clubs in this province. These groups wear three-piece patches with the consent of the HA or their support clubs and in addition to being found at more and more HA rides or OMG events, their members are involved or suspected of being involved in various levels of criminality with or in support of traditional OMG groups.  This is, and should be, completely unacceptable to not only all legitimate MC’s and riders, especially those law-abiding ones in these groups/clubs, but the general public as well. These people are hiding behind what some are purporting to be “non-outlaw” groups, when, in fact, many of them are more “outlaw” than they claim to be and are quickly moving closer to being a “gang” and further from a mere “club”. We know this because of our investigations, what members of these groups tell us, and what is seen in public. End Quote So what you are saying here, if I understand you correctly, is that you are seeing members of Motorcycle "Groups" as you call them associating with Hells Angels or "OMG" feeder clubs.  Is that Correct? To what NON OUTLAW groups do you refer? The Harley Owners Group? The Okanagan Motorcycle Riding Association? The Women in the Wind?  The Rock Solid Biker Church? The Shadow Riders? The Border Riders? Who are these NON OUTLAW, Motorcycle GROUPS you refer to? What do their patches or CUT look like?  Your attempt to tar members of riding clubs and associations with "we have seen many “non-outlaw” motorcycle “groups” here in British Columbia in recent years drift closer or associate more and more with the more well-known OMG’s and their overt support clubs in this province", as a justification for misrepresenting who is who in the motorcycle community appears to me to be nothing more than a profiling of our community.   Just because I wear a patch and ride with an MRC - Motorcycle Riding Club (a motorcycle group as you call it), motorcycle association, motorcycle ministry, veterans MC or manufacturers club does not mean I will gravitate towards a tight relationship with 1% or their feeders clubs.   That is like saying that because I am black, wear a certain style of pants and hat, that I am going to gravitate towards being a member of the Jamaican Posse or some other street gang, or that because there are police officers (now former police officer) like Monty Robinson on the force that all police officers have a tendency to CYA and be drink drivers or alter reports to protect themselves. Or that because priest XYZ molested little boys that all priests have the predilection towards molesting little boys.  Profiling is profiling and it is wrong, but because clothing isn't protected under the charter you seem to feel you are able to profile motorcyclists and that it is OK to do so. It is not OK. I fail to see where your comments regarding non outlaw clubs has anything to do with my original email to you, but you sure have given me more reason to be upset not only as a journalist, but as a rider and taxpayer.  You cause every rider to wear a social stigma because you can't get your terminology right, where is that fair? You cause very rider to experience barriers to tourism and tourism services like meals, beverages etc.  Establishments that are licensed tend to be the ones most fearful of serving riders who wear their patches or cut because of conflicting terminology and a lack of understanding of the motorcycle community and the lack of educational materials like photos to identify the 1% community and training to those establishments and their employees.  I find it interesting that you did not address the fact that many Outlaw Law Enforcement Clubs exist - they have a prospecting phase and wear a three piece patch - you earn that patch, you can't buy it.  You do realize that you have tarred a large percentage of the Police Service Community with the label of 1% er because you can't get your terminology right. Not only that, but many of those Law Enforcement Motorcycle Clubs do not wear the appropriate LE designation and that causes even more confusion and fear for all involved. Please see the attachment of the ad I clicked on and some interesting Outlaw Patches that are NON 1% - in fact all are Law Enforcement Outlaw Clubs. I look forward to your response and unlike other journalists, I will print your entire response, not just a snippet. Sincerely, Renee "Belt Drive Betty" Charbonneau Belt Drive Betty Media Editor- The Busted Knuckle Chronicles So, we shall see what the next response is, if there is one.   This started out to be an editorial rant on the way things are worded and the inferences one draws, but, it appears that is has become one about education and profiling. Semantics and inference... I have attempted at various times in the past to get a civil rights lawyer willing to take on this challenge, but sadly, the Canadian Civil Liberties movement clearly does not extend to the riding community.  There appears to be no one who thinks that the riding community needs and deserves protection under the charter as a visible minority. By virtue of the fact that riders, those who wear a patch or cut, are being "monitored" because they might become friends with someone who wears a 1% or feeder club cut is cause for concern. We truly are a visible minority, we truly appear to be being profiled, but because we have no unified voice, no advocacy group, we are unprotected. It is perfectly fine to label every rider who wears a patch or cut as a potential bad person all in the name of crime prevention. That appears to be the message. In fact, there have been some cases where legitimately non criminal Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs AKA Traditional Motorcycle Clubs have been unfairly tarred with a brush they don't deserve - remember what happened in Orangeville Ontario, in Medicine Hat  Alberta and in Kelowna and Ladysmith BC?  In Orangeville, members of one piece patch clubs were asked to leave a Legion because of liquor license restrictions. In Medicine Hat the Falcons were served their food outside on the grass so as not to violate the license for the legion there - other things transpired here as well - so read the article I linked to above.   In Kelowna and Ladysmith, the Veterans MC have been tarred as 1%. They are adamant that they are not, that they are simply veterans but no matter, they are still under scrutiny - unfairly in my estimation as I know many of the members.  Read through the comments on the article linked above, about a Kelowna Gang that was convicted - the comments become somehow about the Veterans MC and the crew in Ladysmith and have a lot of Veterans MC members very upset.   And frankly I don't blame them. I know that pictures of their cuts were circulated to licensed establishments as a banned club, along with the HA and a few others. I saw the email and the print out with my own eyes.  The ideology behind the "Three piece patch being an indication of 1% affiliation" might be behind the tarring of this club.  I am just guessing here. I support the Veterans MC through our newspaper.  Why? Because I support our military and our veterans and until such time as I know for myself first hand that the clubs are going in a different direction than being about veterans causes and community, I'll keep on supporting them.  Same with the Falcons or any of the others I know who are law abiding. If everything the various newspaper reports on these three incidents, the reports from some of the clubs that were affected like the Falcons MC, is remotely true, then Houston we have a problem... Peoples reputations have suffered, peoples lives have been affected and there truly appears to be no recourse for it. I understand that the police need to do their job and keep communities safe. I do get that. The way they go about doing their jobs though, makes me wonder.   Since when are you guilty until proven innocent?   What say you? If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you - and remember our SPOT THE GEAR FAIL contest for your chance to win some fabulous prizes from Kimpex and Draggin Jeans! Belt Drive Betty Editor & Rider

Here we go again: Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC - Report

Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC

It is no wonder the general public can be so scared and confused by the motorcycle community.

When even the police cannot identify who is who in the motorcycle world how in the HE Double Hockey Sticks is anyone else supposed to understand us?

In their report on GANGS, the Combined Forces Special Enforces Unit actually claims that three piece patch is and indication that one is in an outlaw 1% GANG.

Seriously, that's what they state:

The official “uniform” of all Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs) is their “Colours,” which always remain the property of the club. The Hells Angels colours consist of a three-piece patch, which signifies to law enforcement that the club is an outlaw one-percenter motorcycle gang. The term “one-percenter” is an historical term that was used to distinguish the outlaw motorcycle gangs from the majority of law-abiding motorcycle enthusiasts following violent riots in Hollister, California in 1947.  Numerous OMGs have since adopted the term. If you look closely, you will see the 1% designation on an OMG jacket or vest.

Either the police services are blatantly attempting to make people believe that all three piece patches are criminal or gang related OR they are  VERY mis informed and uneducated about the patch hierarchy of the motorcycle community.

I took such offence that I wrote their Communications and Media Person, here is my letter:

Dear Sgt. Lindsey Houghton,

I read with great dismay your report on OMG's. (http://www.cfseu.bc.ca/en/as-bad-as-they-look)

I often wondered why so many NON 1%, outlaw clubs are targeted for special attention where none is warranted, now I know.

There is one sentence that is so false and so wrong in your report: "The Hells Angels colours consist of a three-piece patch, which signifies to law enforcement that the club is an outlaw one-percenter motorcycle gang. "

As a motorcycle journalist, I have written a number of articles on the motorcycle community and our patches and cuts to educate new riders as to who is who and how to identify them.  

Perhaps it is time the BEU and others educate themselves as to the nature of the various cuts in our community.

Just because someone who wants to introduce an outlaw club into a territory goes and speaks with the dominant club in the region to get permission to wear their cut does not make them affiliated with the dominant (usually but not always a 1% club).  

Getting permission means that the new Outlaw MC is not cutting into the territory or business of the 1% club. It means not getting their asses beat every time a 1%er sees a 3 piece outlaw cut they don't recognize.  When the dominant club has approved a cut to be worn by a new Outlaw Club, the rest of the members of the dominant now know to leave the Outlaw MC alone, that they are not a threat to their territory or business.

The three piece patch is about earning it not buying it. 

Not all Outlaw MC's are 1% but ALL 1% Clubs are Outlaw Clubs.

I urge you to educate yourselves and properly inform the civilian who does not ride, the truth of our community. 

You are doing a great disservice to the entire motorcycle community by making statements that are patently false and misrepresent our community.

I have included links to two of the many articles I have written on patches and cuts in an effort to help educate your officers as to the truth about our patches and cuts:

http://beltdrivebetty.blogspot.in/2014/07/a-little-education-on-mc-world.html

http://beltdrivebetty.blogspot.ca/2014/07/why-outlaw-mcs-and-1-clubs-appear-to.html

If the statement in your article were true, then there would be a ton of Law Enforcement Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs that would be considered 1% Motorcycle Gangs.

Sincerely,

Renee "Belt Drive Betty" Charbonneau

Belt Drive Betty Media

Editor- The Busted Knuckle Chronicles

To read the entire report visit: http://www.cfseu.bc.ca/en/about-cfseu-bc

I'd love your thoughts and comments on this topic!

There is a ton of news over at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping you informed.
Today is also Canadian Motorcycle News Day - that's right, this week's edition of the Busted Knuckle Chronicles is online!

Did you get a photo of someone not geared up for safety on their motorcycle?
If you did, get it entered into our Capture the Gear Fail Contest - we have great prizes from Kimpex and Draggin Jeans so check it out!

Have a great day everyone and if you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you and please, consider wearing good gear!

Today we honour and remember all who lost their lives on 9/11.
Please take a moment to remember them.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Dealing with lawyers and lawsuits - fun and games - NOT!

I recently posted a photo of Doc, my 2010 Ultra Classic with 9,800 miles on it, on Facebook, with the information that I am selling him in order to put a big chunk of money on the upcoming lawyers bills that I know will be arriving sooner than later.

A few people who although we are connected on Facebook, have not truly been following the story aka SAGA and took a few things out of context.

My goal here is to clear the air and update people on exactly where things stand.

For those who have not been following this misadventure, I am being sued by Sturgis North/Canada, Ray Sasseville and Joan Hansen for Libel, slander and defamation.

My reporting on Ray Sasseville and his history included links, screen shots and documents - you can read up on the history of the lawsuit here:
http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/community/bdb-defense-fund

No matter that what I reported was already in public domain and all I had done was put everything together in one place, Ray and his group decided to sue myself along with 6 others.

The shotgun lawsuit, initiated just before Christmas, included the Mayor of Sicamous, the City of Sicamous, the Sicamous Chamber of Commerce, Steve Hammer, Bernie Aubin, Vince Lewis and myself.

My attorney calls it a nuisance suit.

Nothing about this lawsuit has been straight forward.
Shortly after the suit was launched by lawyer Gerhard Pyper, Ray petitioned to self represent on behalf of himself and the company.  Joan however was still represented by Pyper.

In March we got an offer to settle from Gerhard Pyper.

The first six defendants took the offer they were given. Their offer was that if they didn't ask for costs, the plaintiffs would drop the suit.

The offer I was given was unacceptable.
They basically wanted a $250,000 gag order on me and for me to remove any reference to them off my site, out of my newspaper and to monitor social media and ensure that no one in my circle said anything about them. If I didn't they'd claim the bond money.

As a reporter, I have done my job well. I reported facts, provided evidence and asked people to educate themselves.   Nothing I wrote was untrue, nor written with malice, therefore it is not slanderous, libellous or defamation. I am covered under fair comment and freedom of the press.

Still, I must get before a judge for those freedoms to be exercised.
AND - that costs money and lots of it.

The latest developments in this case are that Gerhard Pyper, the lawyer for Joan Hansen was suspended and his law firm was closed down by the BC Law Society.  Ray is listed as self representing for himself and Sturgis North. Joan however is not represented by anyone at the moment.

Before I had a chance to send my counter offer to Ray, I got a second offer to settle from a new lawyer out of Kelowna named Greg Alfonsso.  That offer was for $1,000 cash and 30 four day passes that I could sell to offset my lawyers bills if I would market their event for them.  Again, in all good conscience I did not feel I could take this offer and so my lawyer had to rewrite my counter offer and sent it off to the new lawyer along with Ray and Joan.

To date there has been no response from any of the parties to my counter offer.

On top of that, the consent to dismiss orders for the others have hit a road block.
The only dismissal that has taken pace is that involving the Mayor and the City of Sicamous.
The other four parties paperwork was apparently never filed by Gerhard Pyper's office.
It took the BC Law Society this much time to determine this.  So now the other 4 parties will have to incur more costs to see if the original consents can be found, and if so can they be filed.

If not, then they too will face the challenge of getting the other parties to communicate and again it will cost them more money.

I myself, have recently sworn out an affidavit for my lawyer to use to have my case moved from Surrey to Salmon Arm/Vernon.  My lawyer will need to go to Surrey and petition the court to transfer the case. That means a minimum of a full day out of his office on top of the preparations for that hearing and the paperwork that will come out of that hearing.

He told me to prepare for $7-$10K for that portion of the bill.
The next step will cost far less as it will involve a hearing before a judge in Salmon Arm/Vernon where in we will petition the court to ask Ray and company, to post a bond for costs.

Then, if they do that we proceed to examinations for discovery, then to trial. If they don't post a bond, then the judge will examinee the case and potentially throw it out. At least that is my understanding on how this is supposed to work.  Each step of the way will cost a different amount of money and time.  I have been told to prepare for an over all bill of $50K from this date forward, so that I am ready for the long haul if this does go that way.

So that's where the legal end of things stand...now to deal with the money portion.

Ours is a community newspaper that does a lot of charity work and as such, it does not generate huge money, basically it covers its costs and modest wages for myself and my staff. Without fundraising, the business would be at jeopardy.  So I had started tee shirt campaigns, donation drives, sold a company bike - a Johnny Pag, some art that was donated to me via an online auction and Blair Weber organized a Poker Run to help me.

At the end of May, on the Defence Fund Poker Run, I was involved in a mishap where my bike ended up getting totalled.

I lost control in a washout on a gravel road and another rider hit me from behind before I had gone down. Had that other rider not hit me, I would have only had to replace the front fender and lived with a battle scarred fairing.  As it was though, the bike was written off and the RCMP consequently charged the other rider with following too close.  The bike I bought to replace my Street glide with was purchased at Edmonton Harley-Davidson.  With what insurance gave me for my bike, some personal savings and $1,800 of the money from the poker run I was able to get another work vehicle.
(As a moto journalist, my motorcycle is a workhorse not a pleasure machine.)

I had no choice, if I wanted to keep the newspaper running, my source of income, not to mention my employees paid,  I had to use some of that money. I have managed to keep paying the lawyer because I was working and so eventually the $1,800 raised did go on the lawyers bill, but funny thing, those bills just keep coming.

Had I been able to put all of that defence run money on the bill at the time, I'd be about $1,800 closer to having him paid up towards this newest bill. As it stands, I owe him about $500 right now, since I was able to, yesterday, make a payment to him from the sale of SOA art in an online auction we held last month.

Because of the latest twists and turns of this lawsuit, I have an anticipated $7-$10K bill coming to get the venue changed from Surrey to Salmon Arm.

I also have a business loan and my motorcycle is but one piece of the collateral for that loan.
My banker has agreed that if I sell the bike, they will take 50% towards my loan and allow me the other 50% to pay my lawyer.

If this court case gets dropped, by some miracle, then I will just continue paying the lawyer monthly until he is paid off and use the remaining money towards another bike.

Nothing about this lawsuit has been straight forward nor does it remotely resemble normal practices according to my attorney.

I need to take some stress off of my brain so that I can focus and concentrate on doing the work my team and I do in and for the riding community.

If I can't put my focus on Belt Drive Betty Media and all of the support tools we offer the community then I and my employees will not have wages to live on.
This doesn't just affect me or my small staff, it affects the entire community that uses our events calendars, our newspaper and web sites as sources of information.

I am not asking for a hand out but a hand up.
I am willing to sell everything I own to defend myself if that's what it takes to see this thing through.

I am selling items like tee shirts, like so many businesses do, but instead of that money funding my business, like it does for other businesses, the tee shirt sales are helping to fund my lawsuit.

If you know anyone looking for a great bike with extended warranty, please put them in touch with me via bdbetty @ gmail.com  - fix the spaces.

If you are interested in purchasing a tee shirt to support the cause please visit: http://teespring.com/beltdrivebetty

I hope this clears things up for those who seem to be confused about this lawsuit, and what I am preparing for and why I am doing what I am doing.  I want to do the work I do, pay my bills, eat decently and enjoy life just like every other working stiff out there.  I want to be able to sleep at night without worrying about how I am going to come up with the money for the lawyer, a bill I know is coming sooner than later.

That's all!  By selling my bike, I can take the pressure off of the looming lawyer's bill and focus on the business and community.

By the way we have some great prizes up for grabs in our Capture the Gear Fail Photo Contest.

You could win a pair of boots and a helmet from Kimpex - a value of $300 for your first place photo and for the second place photo you could win a pair of Draggin Jeans!

Visit Our Contest Page to find out more!

If you are blessed to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider


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