Surprising Facts about Motorcycle Safety in Alberta

After plateauing in 2015-16, the number of registered motorcycles in Alberta has been declining every year since.  Why?

While some might point to the increasing cost to operate a bike, like the rising cost of insurance and registration, others point to the deteriorating safety situation on Alberta roads.
But what has changed with regard to safety riding a motorcycle?

• More distracted drivers
• Roadways in worse condition
• More impaired drivers (especially with the legalization of marijuana)
• Lower speed limits
• Sound limit regulations/laws

Lowering speed limits cause an increased safety risk for motorcyclists you ask?  Yes, lower speed limits within municipalities actually make riding more difficult and dangerous for motorcyclists.
Ask anyone who rides motorcycles what the biggest safety issue is and most riders will say “Cars just don’t see me”.  While some municipalities and other organizations have responded by launching awareness marketing campaigns to watch out for motorcycles each spring, do those campaigns actually make a difference? Lets face it most people who ride will not be wearing a bright yellow safety vest, so what other solutions are there to make it safer on the roads for motorcycles?
Some proposed solutions that have been suggested include:

• More fun tracks/places to ride without limitation.
• Higher fines/demerits for motor vehicles that fail to “observe” motorcycles
• Acceptance of video evidence from motorcyclists in prosecuting drivers not paying attention.

What do you think?  What action can be taken to make motorcycling more safe and increase ridership in Alberta?

David Carlson
White Knights Law

Atlas Riot Hellfire 2.0 Helmet by RuRoc - A First Look Product Review

When I first got this helmet by UPS, I was a tad shocked by how fast it arrived. 5 days from across the pond!

I opened the box to find a second box inside that when I opened it up , it’s all padded and all sleek looking. 

In the box - stickers, a poster/instruction book, a second visor, helmet bag and visor bag!

I took out the bagged helmet and opened it up.

My first impression was what a bad assed looking helmet.

Do you remember the Movie and TV Series from the Eighties called “V”? It was all about an alien species that lands on earth with what appears to be good intent only to reveal their sinister plot.  This Atlas Riot Hellfire 2.0 Helmet makes me think of that movie. 

Now most of you know how I feel about full face helmets, so you can imagine the sense of anxiety I felt looking at this bad boy.

All I could think of is, will I be able to breath? 

Without looking at the instructions or taking of the protective covering on the visor off, I pulled this size medium helmet on and was totally shocked that because of the vent in the chin, you don’t have to breath stale air. This helmet is light, Popcorn light.  IT FITS!!!!!

I truly can’t wait to get this helmet on and go for a ride with it.

Here are some of the finer points of the helmet that I will be looking at when I get to wear it!

A Removable Inner Liner

An emergency pull system allows the ear padding to be removed in case of emergency 

 making helmet removal safer and easier for EMS.

Easy entry liner

Easy to replace liner, Snaps into place

Air Vents  - 6 of them

Open, Close vent in chin/mouth area to keep visor fogless

Anti Fog, Anti Scratch

Tool-less Visor

Visor locks in place to seal the visor from rain.

Multiple Locking Points

Pinlock capable for the visor to be anti fog - the second visor comes with a pinlock insert!

Quick Lock Buckle System, magnetic that is rated as strong as a D Ring System

Lightweight Carbon Fibre

ECE - DOT Rated

Shockwave Communication System Module Area

To check out these bad boys visit: https://www.ruroc.com/en_ca/

• Belt Drive Betty

Ride Like a Local TV Season 7 Episode 1! Edmonton MCS2019

The Edmonton Motorcycle Show 2019 had lots of interesting characters to talk to! Watch Ride Like a Local TV Season 7 with host Belt Drive Betty!

Ride Like a Local - Season 7 - Episode 1 - Segment 1 - Edmonton MCS2019 The Edmonton Motorcycle Show 2019 had lots of interesting characters to talk to! Interviews: Amber Giroux - Navigator - Racing Cheetah's Team www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com/en/  https://www.facebook.com/racingcheetahs/ Hans & Larry - CVMG - www.cvmg.ca



Ride Like a Local - Season 7 - Episode 1 - Segment 2 - Edmonton MCS2019 Belt Drive Betty Interviews: Chris Pouliot - Alberta Oldtimers Motocross - www.aotmx.ca Dee Choponis - www.hdedmonton.com Clint Rabb - Owner of Edge Harley-Davidson - www.edgehd.com - Lloydminster AB/SK, Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community from the 2017 Riding Season


Ride Like a Local - Season 7 - Episode 1 - Segment 3 - Edmonton MCS2019 Belt Drive Betty Interviews: Meagan Grant / Derek Grant / Kyra Brownigg - Edmonton Road Racing Association - www.emra.ca Gary Kosch - Patched Member of the Urban Bulldogs Against Kid Abuse (UBAKA) - ubaka2014.wixsite.com/ubaka

Win 25,000 Choice Hotel Points as part of the Ultimate Alberta Motorcycle Vacation Package giveaway for CMTA Members!

Win 25,000 Choice Hotel Points as part of the Ultimate Alberta Motorcycle Vacation Package giveaway for CMTA Members on December 24th, 2019.

Become a Member today www.motorcycletourism.ca

Become a member of the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association for your chance to win the Ultimate Alberta Motorcycle Vacation. Choice Hotel Points, Motorcycle Rentals and More!!!!

Visit: Motorcycletourism.ca for more details.

Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre Spring Fling fundraiser is March 21, 2020

SAVE THE DATE!   March 21, 2020 - Our Spring Fling fundraiser for Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre is being held at the Royal Canadian Legion #54, come dressed in clothes from the era.
WWII 1940's era dinner, dance &  costume party!

Visit our FB event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1353278484795791/

- Belt Drive Betty

Voss 303 Helmet Review

 Helmets, they are a controversial piece of riding equipment.

In provinces like BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario, many riders are feeling frustrated that they are forced to wear a helmet but those in the Sikh community can ride wearing only a turban. (By many accounts the turban is NOT a mandatory piece of “religious” gear, which fuels the frustration even more.)

Whether you ascribe to wearing a helmet or not, you are required by law to wear one if you are not a Sikh.

I personally have challenges with many helmets that come from the injuries to my neck and low back from a bad car crash.

In the past I had a prescription that was acknowledged by the RCMP to allow me to wear a beanie, it was written by my chiropractor and my medical doctor. The weight of most helmets is too great for my neck to handle when you combine the wind and the weight.

Some helmets are like a sail the way they catch the wind. Full face helmets, no matter how well built make me feel claustrophobic. I can’t breath and I start to panic. The full face helmets with the modular jaw are better, however, I find raising and lowering the helmets jaw distracting. Part of the problem for me when it comes to either style of full face, I drink a lot of water while I am riding, and it’s a pain in the arse drinking with one of those helmets on.

The older I get, the more I think about the vulnerability of riding and I realise that a beanie or half helmet doesn’t protect a person’s face, although that is what I have worn for years. In the past I have basically had to trade off safety for comfort. Lightweight helmets didn’t really exist when I started riding unless it was a beanie and we all know that a beanie only protects against too much sun on the head, and small road debris. The likelihood that a beanie will protect your brain is all but non-existent.

My needs in a helmet?

I want a helmet that is lightweight and aerodynamic.

The road noise needs to be minimal.

It needs good ventilation, and an easy to cinch up chin strap.

Enter the Voss 303 Helmet.

I think I have finally found a helmet I can call my favourite.

The Voss 303 in a size small fits me perfectly. It’s a ¾ helmet and I really, really like it.

It’s comfortable, the visors are substantial and don’t flop around or vibrate.

A pet peeve I have had about many helmets is that to wear my riding glasses, which are prescription, means that I end up with a massive headache as they put too much pressure on the arm of the glasses, just above the ear. Not this helmet, I can wear my glasses comfortably and that increases my safety!

The helmet doesn’t end up riding on the top of my glasses either.

Although the helmet is beefy looking it’s lightweight and aerodynamic, and the air vents on the top of the helmet makes riding on a really hot day much more comfortable.

Noise?

This helmet is reasonably quiet.

Yes there is still some road and wind noise, but compared to some of the full faces I have tried, that is minimal in this helmet.

Of course I have worn a beanie or half helmet most of my riding career, so anything that is quieter than that is a bonus!

With this helmet I don’t need to wear earplugs. I like that as I find earplugs irritating.

The quick attach and release strap on the helmet is awesome, it makes securing the helmet so much easier than the old “D” ring!!

I have been enjoying the experience of wearing this helmet and look to may more miles wearing it.

Voss has helmets in all shapes and configurations you can imagine! Check them out for all of your helmet needs.

I want to talk about a helmet accessory that anyone with a full face or three quarter helmet may want to look at, especially if you are a commuter.

It’s called the EZ Go Strap.

This strap turns your helmet into a carrying bag, hip purse or at the very least get it out of your hands.

I’m not a commuter, and I don’t generally find myself needing to pack my helmet anywhere, however, if you were a commuter with a briefcase or books etc that need to be taken to work, this strap instantly frees up your hands.

Youtube Video

https://youtu.be/GMdueoqPniM

I like mine and I think you’d like one if you tried it! Check them out.

The Axe Series Backpack by Vikingbags.com - Product Review

The Street/Sportbike Backpack from Viking Bags is a backpack I feel very good about recommending to other riders.

The lightweight, semi rigid, moulded body makes this backpack the perfect one for packing a laptop.

It has a padded compartment that fits my 15” laptop perfectly and because the backpack is so lightweight, the weight of the laptop isn’t a hardship. 

Having been in a paragliding crash where in I broke my back,  I will tell you that my back appreciates the lightweight, streamlined fit.

The organiser for all of those little items you need to carry like keys, cell phone, wallet, chapstick etc., is some handy.

There are several pockets of various sizes that make packing a breeze.  

The design of the outer shell means that the zipper doesn't have any pinch points and the pack opens up fully making it very easy to access and take full advantage of its ample storage. 

Pack a change of clothes, a few toiletries, your laptop etc., and you are ready to go to that meeting or the gym after work.

I also really like the fact that it also has a net for my helmet means that when I am off the bike, my hands are free to pack other things. The waterproof side pockets are handy for ID, tire pressure gauge and other items that you want and need quick access to.

Over all, this is an incredibly well done backpack filled with thoughtful little details. 
If you are looking for a backpack that is versatile, lightweight yet strong and durable, check out the Viking Bags Axe Series Backpacks.

- Reviewed by Glenn Bitterman