IT REALLY IS ABOUT THE RIDE...

Taking the things we love for granted.

I love my husband. But there are times when, like every other human being out there, I take him for granted and some days that shoe is on the other foot. And then you get a diagnose of Multiple Sclerosis and your world changes – you are challenged with the loss of many things – your spouse – your relationship, your security…

All of a sudden you are in gratitude mode and guilty mode all at the same time.  And then things improve, and life returns to a new version of normal and you slowly start taking time for granted, them for granted, until the next scare…we humans can be hard learners.

Our motorcycles are another love that sometimes we take for granted. 

It doesn’t mean we don’t love them to distraction; it’s just that we have become comfortable that they will always be there for us. Until someone threatens to take our love away…

The recent request for a rate increase by SGI has taught us all something, I hope.

We need to reconnect with the love of our machines and the utter feeling of freedom and empowerment they bring.

One person on the R.A.G.E. Facebook page expressed the love for his motorcycle as one of massive joy.

What a great way to describe riding.

This has gotten me to thinking about our community, the community of motorcyclists, I don’t care if it’s a 50cc dirt bike, and enduro, a sport bike a drag bike or a cruiser, a Honda, a Yamaha, a Kawi or a Harley etc. etc. etc.

There are things that most of us have experienced in our life as riders that connect us on some levels and if we could find the right things to connect on, we could erase our own prejudices in our community first.

Then we could work on the outside world seeing us differently.

So I came up with a short list of things that might connect us…

You might be a biker if…

You and your machine have encountered many kinds of riding conditions from torrential rain to snow and all things in between.

You and your machine feel like you are a part of each other. There is a bond.

You have encountered friend and foe by the very nature of the receptions you have gotten from those who don’t ride.

You and your machine have endured countless political debates over whether or not you are gang members or if that patch you choose to wear is legit or not.

You and your machine have had discriminatory bylaws put in place to muffle you, the only noisemaker in the vehicular world. (Said sarcastically.)

You and your motorcycle have ever been restricted as to where you can and cannot compete or ride – referring to the recreational land use issues being faced in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

You have ever had your charity fundraiser affected by laws, discrimination, and misconceptions.

You have ever had insurance premiums threaten to cost you your ride. You might be a biker…

Our brothers and sisters in Saskatchewan are facing a challenge that the rest of us need to feel – to own. 

Their freedom to choose a motorcycle, as a method of transportation, is being threatened.

We need to understand that we live in a political world – like it or not and those politics have the power to take our passion, our freedom, our life line to sanity, a part of our identity, our entire lifestyle away from us unless we unite and do something proactive - it will be taken away from us.

This is not in the distant future people and I am not being a fear monger.  The danger is real and it is imminent.

It is time that we began working together. That we began in earnest to share the issues each town, each region, each province and territory is experiencing and help each other to protect and preserve our lifestyle, our right to choose to ride.

Do you need any more examples before you realize that I am speaking the truth?

Our very way of life is being threatened and I don’t care HOW you love that motorcycle be you a trials rider or a drag racer, a motocross rider or a cruiser/touring rider, adventure rider or road racer.

Never more than now, has there been a time to educate our fellow rider about their actions and how they affect the greater good.

Never more than now has there been a reason to share, talk, communicate and UNDERSTAND that even if the fight is not your fight – IT IS YOUR FIGHT.

Every time one segment of our community looses it’s freedoms or is in someway unfairly restricted, it undermines our Charter Rights and takes us all one step closer to walking …

Everywhere you look, our rights are under siege, our freedoms are being restricted – we can’t take on all of the challenges, but we, the riding community could lead the way in showing other communities how to work together and how to protect our cherished way of life.

There is an old saying that you never truly appreciate what you have until it is gone.

Remember that with freedom comes obligation – the obligation to remember that our rights and freedoms stop when they infringe upon those of another.

We need to learn to share our world and that is becoming harder to do the bigger the population becomes.

Something I want you all to ponder and consider.  Is riding a motorcycle important to you?

Do you finally believe that it CAN happen to us – the bureaucrats really can take our lifestyle from us – and do you understand that we have to let them first! 

If you are with me, that we need to somehow get organized on a national basis – then email me at bdbetty@gmail.com with the subject being Riders Rights.

In the mean time I invite you to help R.A.G.E. inSaskatchewan by buying one of our patches - $2 from every patch sold will go to help them get up an running financially – these guys and galls are shaking the Saskatchewan government hard and really need the boost that outside support from their family Wind members in other provinces can offer…

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails...

Have a fantastic weekend everyone and please do one thing for me...go look at your motorcycle, remember the sun, the rain, the wind, the scenery, the empowerment, the freedom and ask yourself one question - what would happen to me if I couldn't ride my motorcycle?

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

We "bikers" can rest easy

The Oxford Dictionary has changed it's definition of the word "biker"!

Begin Quote: 
The Oxford English Dictionary has revised its current definition of bikers as "hairy" and wearing "dirty denim" after motorcyclists complained that the description does not do them justice.
Citing new figures, they claim that bikers are now more likely to be short-haired, clean shaven and tattoo-free.

They hold up motorcycling fans like David Beckham and Princes William and Harry as an example of how bikers have changed, and are not now typically, as the OED states, "a member of a gang: a long-haired biker in dirty denims."

According to a recent survey, less than 9 percent of bikers now have long hair, while 42 percent do not have any tattoos, piercings, facial hair or gang markings.

Ceding to pressure, the OED has changed its definition of "biker" to "a motorcyclist, especially one who is a member of a gang or group: a biker was involved in a collision with a car." End Quote

Isn't that refreshing!

Isn't that a clear and all encompassing description of bikers?

Doesn't that clear up all of the confusion and controversy?

I'd love your thoughts on this one...

The news feeds are relatively quiet this morning, however there is a great article under the Lifestyles/Music Category, it is complete with some of the tracks from a new album by Wayne Hancock called "Ride"

Also under the Lifestyles Category - Lifestyles/Motorcycle Events International, there is a great write up about that motorcycle riding Archbishop, Thomas Wenski, who lead a 90 mile motorcycle poker run from St. Richard Catholic Church in Palmetto Bay and organized by the Archdiocese of Miami.

I find it interesting that St. Richard Catholic Church would pick a poker run for their first ever event - I wonder if the poker run will become the new BINGO of riding Catholics? (Being said totally in fun...)

That's what's fit to print so far today. Check out our website: www.beltdrivebetty.com throughout the day as I have not listed all of the news articles from today or the weekend - only one's that caught my eye and we update the feeds 2-3 times per day!

I leave you with a few giggles to start the week off right...laughter - it's good for the soul.

Thanks to my friends on Facebook and who shared with me via email!

Have a fantastic Monday everyone.

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider

Saskatchewan Riders - teaching us all a lesson in unity

Saskatchewan gets a bad rap as a place to live and ride.

The infrastructure in the province is deplorable, everyone in the world seems to think the place is flat and boring when that is far from the case.

People poke fun of Saskatchewan for a variety of reasons but I am here to tell you this...

In just a few days this provinces riders have united in a way that the rest of the country could stand up and take notice of.

While they have an enormous amount to do in a short period of time, the riders are getting the job done.

The have been FLOODING SGI with petitions, letters, phone calls and emails.
They have been getting media attention and they are gathering strength in numbers.

These people are united in a way that I have not seen happen in a long while and I hope that they can sustain it because we here in Canada need a role model on what being a lobby force can look like and accomplish.

I, like many riders will be waiting to hear the outcome of the town hall meetings, and getting the response to my questions on behalf of R.A.G.E.

We need to support this group if in any way possible - buy a patch, donate, join their Facebook Group - offer advice, support or funds...

These guys and dolls should be looked on as a huge inspiration - it can be done, we can unite, we can work for better solutions than the ones that are too often forced upon us.

We have a new fight brewing in Southern Alberta where recreational riding lands are being threatened and low and behold - SASKATCHEWAN has almost gotten their law passed with NO PUBLIC INPUT.

If Southern Alberta riders can muster the same kind of unity of numbers and willingness to put forth a little effort, we might just be on a roll.

I find it difficult to understand why Edmonton area riders are not united in challenging discrimination of riders, but perhaps, just perhaps, we can re ignite the passion to right wrongs...by seeing others in united action.

There are many other great stories in the news feeds today - please visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed to read about what may affect your day or life...

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails - laughter - levity - it's needed today!

For all you in the Grande Prairie AB region - David Wilcox is on stage tonight at Dukes - $45 per ticket - doors open at 8pm! Hope to see you there!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

First Interview with SGI's Don Thompson

I had my first interview with Don Thompson the VP of products for SGI. (Saskatchewan Government Insurance)

As many of you have probably heard, our brothers and sisters in Saskatchewan are up against the hard wall of massive rate hikes if SGI's request is met with favour. (Up to 400%)

Statistics as we all know can be generated in any way you want them to appear.

You can compare year over year "accident" payouts for a category and say they have gone up 15% and not say that the group affected grew by 100%.

So instead of doing the usual type of interview with the man, I decided to simply ask for the facts, the hard numbers and guess what. I had to email him with a list of questions to get answers on and the facts sent back to me.

I had asked members of R.A.G.E. (Riders Against Government Exploitation) for a list of questions they wanted answers to and then did my best to ask as many of their questions as possible.

Here is the letter of request that I sent out following my brief discussion with Mr. Thompson.

Dear Don,

Thank you for speaking with me today,

Here are the questions and the answer or information I seek.

Q: How many motorcycle claims were there is 2010? 2011?

Q: How much is the average motorcycle claim? 

Q: How much is the cost of the claims?

IE - What is the amount for the claim as opposed to the costs to administer the claim.

Q: What was the total amount paid out on motorcycle claims? We hear that $9 million was the short fall - what is the total?

Q: What the increase is for motorcycle accidents/injuries/costs over the last 10 years

Q: Cars, pickups and SUV's/Mini Vans account for how many road users?  

Q: And what percentage of claims?

Q: What is the average claim for an auto collision.

Q: How much is the cost of the claims?

IE - What is the amount for the claim as opposed to the costs to administer the claim.

Comment: In Alberta we have PL/PD coverage that you can purchase which offers section B benefits for wage loss and out of pocket expenses.

Q:Why are Saskatchewan riders not offered a similar option?

Comment: There are 165 claims involving bicycles according to TIAS Report

Q: What portion of these claims go back to motorcyclists assuming it is divided by all 31 classes to bear the cost. 

Q: Is the actual number of bicycle claims higher or lower?

Comment: You claim the 53% of motorcyclists are at fault in collisions.

Request: What data can I see to verify that fact?

Request: How many motorcycles were involved with Animal collisions?

Request: How many motorcyclists were hit in left hand turning situations?

Q: Has SGI considered the damage to the motorcycle industry, the dealership, the staff if no motorcycles were sold?

Q: Has SGI considered the impact to the environment if there are fewer motorcycles and more large resource using vehicles on the road?

The documents I included in my request so that we were dealing with the same information are:

I am looking forward to the man's email back to me and will give you what he has to say when I have it.

The questions I did get answers to where:

Q: Does the Ticket Surcharge go into the Auto Fund?
A: Yes.

Q: According to the TIAS Report there are 11,747 motorcycles registered and yet you state 25,000 motorcycles in your radio comments.

A: The number of 11,747 is called Earned Exposures

Definition:
EARNED EXPOSURES

Exposures are a measure of what is being insured. For example, an insured vehicle is an exposure. The term earned means that the exposures were in fact at risk of a loss in the period in question. For example, if a vehicle is insured as of July 1, 2008, then during the 2008 Accident Year, this would represent an exposure of 1/2 to the insurance company.

Q: What about exploring mandatory rider training and giving discounts to this who take training?
A: It is something that has been discussed and has some possibilities.

According to Mr. Thompson the TAIS Report is not the data they use for determining claims so I have to wait until he can provided the data that SGI uses.

That's what is fit to report right now - when I have more I will be passing it along.

Have a great day everyone

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

R.A.G.E. - Riders Against Government Exploitation

Saskatchewan Riders are ANGRY and rightfully so.

Their government run insurance company, SGI, wants to increase insurance on motorcycles and trust me, this is NOT your ordinary increase: Click on the image for a larger size.

Click on the image for a larger size.

In many cases - the cost of insurance for motorcycles in Saskatchewan is proposed to over double!
If you had a 1982 and older SPORT motorcycle and you has an 1101 CC Engine in it - your rate would go from 1,001 - 4,309

DUAL SPORT bikes will see an almost consistent $1,200 increase in the same category.

In the touring category the increases are all over the place and do not appear to make much sense.

Upon reading the 2010 Annual Report from SGI the stats do not support a rate increase to riders - period!

Even though the riding community has grown by a minimum of 4,000 riders since 2006, (11,767 in 2010 compared to 7,811 in 2006) You will note that save one year (2007) where there were 8 fatalities - the death rate of SK motorcyclists has fluctuated from 2-5 since 1994 - the increase in injuries and property damage only claims has not kept pace to the growth.

The anger was swift from riders who have already organized a group on Facebook called R.A.G.E. and are forming a non-profit.

Riders Against Government Exploitation They can be found by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/248400351962414/

If any of you out there are interested in helping Saskatchewan's riding community - they will be accepting donations and they will be needing a lawyer/lobbyist.
For other Canadian Provinces like BC, Manitoba and Quebec who also have government run insurance - this is one fight you need to keep your eyes peeled to - you may have need of the knowledge that is gained.

There is a TON of other valuable reading in the news feeds today at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed!  Visit our site to stay on top of what's happening in motorcycling.

Breaking news:
This just in from our RFBA Business partner Dalton Timmis Insurance - Home for Chrome:

Jevco sold to Intact, they will only take factory-built trikes. This pretty much means that the only trike they will accept is the Harley Tri-Glide. They will not take Goldwing or regular Harley conversions, even if they are a professionally installed Lehmann or Roadmaster kit.

I'll have more for you a little later this morning and will post it in our news feeds.
I leave you with some funnies because after that depressing news - we need to laugh just to stay sane.

Have a good day...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Love is but a dream for many...

While today is Valentine's Day - the day of love, there are many who are lonely and alone.

It is sad to think that can be true, but it is.

For those who have not realized their true love, have faith, do not despair for I am here to tell you that love can come later in life.  My good friend from the Edmonton CMA, Brian Dyksley found love...meet his lady, his wife - Michele: (Congrats you two!!!)

I myself never found my true love until I was in my 40's - meet Mark - the most patient, gentle and caring man in the world:

Yes, for those who think love stinks - remember - “For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.” - Ivan Panin

I wish you all a wonderful day of love and even if it isn't the kind of love you are looking for, know that you are loved and make a difference to your friends. I hope you count me one of yours...

Please join my new Personality page on Facebook - It's where you'll be able to keep up with me as I embark on my most aggressive riding season ever - the Bikers United In Remembrance Conga.
10 provinces, 2 territories, 16 states and close to 40,000 KMS! Raising funds and awareness for great military charities across both borders in the Great Military Riding Club Challenge!

We will have all of the forms and pledge sheets, riding map and information ready to go by March 30th!

And don't forget that this is the 11th Anniversary of The Busted Knuckle Chronicles and we will be celebrating all year long!

The news feeds are filled with stories today - please check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed!

I leave you today with a few funnies, shared with me by friends on Facebook and via e-mails:

Have a fabulous day everyone!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Writer

A dream can mean coming out of the darkness of mental health issues...

Today is National Mental Health Day and for those who suffer from mental health issues, having a dream, being fired up and excited are not emotions they generally feel.

Medric Cousineau is a retired Captain from the Air Force. He was a recipient of the Star of Courage.
He has a wonderful wife - a beautiful bevy of daughters and suffers from PTSD.

Medric knows and understands what it is like to have a dark cloud fill your brain, to feel hopeless, helpless but that cloud of gloom has lifted from his life and he now ha a dream, a passion, a fire and he is eager to share that with others.  So what happened? Why the change, the shift? (Read his Press Release)

Enter one gorgeous lady into his life. Thai, a Golden Retriever PTSD Service Dog.

Last year the Royal Canadian Legion in Eastern Passage NS sponsored Medric to go to Kansas and get a CARES service dog. We here at the Busted Knuckle Chronicles helped out with a donation of patches for Medric to sell to aide him on his trip.  That trip was a game changer, a life saver, for Medric and his family.

Medric, Thai and Medric's training partner Brenda Andersen(who happens to be blind)
 and her service dog - Noble 

Medric and Thai after over 1000 Km's of long walks

Thai has brought into his life, a way for Medric to control the dark moments. Stay Calm and Walk the Dog...it's simple, it's effective and he and Thai have already walked over 1,000 Kilometres.

Medric is so thrilled with the changes in his life - and so is his family.
In fact, they are so pleased that Medric now wants to support other veterans in their quest to a semblance of sanity - normalcy if there is such a thing.

Vic Remillard was a veteran of Afghanistan, he lived in the NWT with his wife and their 5 children.  Sadly for Vic and his family, he couldn't live with the pain in his brain, the darkness and he took his life last July.

I had introduced Kristy (Vic's wife) to Medric via emails and it was decided that a Foundation would be started in Vic's name and although the family has not had the time to get that foundation set up as of yet, there are going to be some positive things come out of Vic's suicide.

I also introduced Kristy to Lou of the Heroes Highway Ride, as one of the hopes of the Remillard family is to have Vic's remains taken down the Highway of Heroes.

My Conga this year is centred around remembering the sacrifices of our military of the allied forces - it is called Bikers United in Remembrance.  We are going to be raising money and awareness for three causes - one was to be helping the Remillard family in raising money for service dogs.

It has been agreed to by all parties that the funds I raise this year will go to Medric and his "Long Walk to Sanity" and his efforts to raise the funds for 50 dogs for 50 vets in 50 days and be donated in Vic's name. The other two causes we are supporting will be the Military Police Relay Ride for Blind Children and VETS - Veterans Emergency Transition Services.

At the Heroes Highway Ride on June 1st 2013, you will get to meet members of the Remillard Family as Vic's ashes are taken down the Highway of Heroes, you will get to meet Medric and his service dog Thai and you will meet a ton of people who are working hard to keep the memories of those who are gone from us alive, to make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country...

You are going to meet people who are living out their dreams - pursuing their goals and working for the betterment of humanity.

Join Medric at Paws Fur Thoughts on Facebook  follow him on Twitter @pawsfurthought1
Or follow his blog on our web site...

The riding community is filled with passionate people, and when they embrace a cause - they do miraculous things and I am so grateful to be in the position to share with you the dreams, the ideals and the goals of so many fabulous people - and they are fabulous because of their warts and bumps not in spite of them.

Do you know of any other community where so many people who share similar goals can come together and work long distance this way?
Work together, share, and celebrate each other and their goals?

In my world, Dreams and Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and they ride all brands, all models and all colours of motorcycles... Our community is blessed and as a result, our world is a better place.

As we get ready to begin the 11th Anniversary celebrations of The Busted Knuckle Chronicles, Canada's ONLY weekly newspaper for motorcyclists I want to offer up a quote I shared today on the Newspaper's Facebook Page - for you all to ponder:

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I dared to dream of a community that communicated with and supported each other the way we used to when we were a much smaller community and guess what, we are doing that - sharing, communicating and working together...Pat Savage dared to dream of a Travel Show for the riding community - and it's happening.  A baker in California dreamed of being the best cake maker in the business and found another passion (that of riding) thanks to his dreams...

Lou DeVuono and Graeme Hume had a dream of celebrating our military here in Canada with a ride and rally that would be free for Canadians and others to attend...the HHR is one of the largest rides of its kind in Canada.

 Medric dreamt of finding a way out of the darkness and he now has another dream - helping others find the way out. 

What's your dream?  What steps are you taking to see it come true? If you want to share it with the rest of the community - get in touch with me.... bdbetty @ gmail.com (fix the spaces)

Let's rally the riding community around the dreams and goals of those who are working diligently to make a difference... Join me on Facebook at our brand New Fan Page.

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails...

Have a fabulous day and remember - today is Mental Health Day - never judge another as you do not know what their journey is all about or how heavy their burden really is...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider