I read with much interest this morning the comments from Mayoral candidates in Edmonton about their stance on the Motorcycle Noise bylaw. Most seemed to feel that it was ill conceived - at least that was my take on what I read. However only one seemed to convey that reviewing it would be a priority with him - Mr. David Dorward. While Lori Jeffery-Heaney says she thinks riders are unfairly targeted changing or reviewing the bylaw is not high on her priority list.
I am happy to hear and be able to report that the Edmonton City Police stayed away from the fish barrel called the Edmonton Toy Run and that 2500- 3500 riders - depending on who supplied the stats - showed up in spite of the fear that they could be ticketed. My community is the BEST - we are capable of putting the cause ahead of ourselves and that is a pretty rare thing I think! WAY TO GO EDMONTON RIDERS!
Sadly - that was NOT the case here in Grande Prairie where the RCMP decided to hold a road block at the entrance to Muskoseepi Park - the head of the parade. They made it untenable.... and now we have other issues to deal with - they are not clear cut issues either and it is not going to be so easy to find out what side of the fence Mayoral candidates are on either.
At the toy run here, the talk amongst many riders was that the RCMP actually run the town and no one knows why we pay a Mayor or the Aldermen/Councillors. Perhaps they are right - perhaps not, it is an issue that a few of us intend to try to unearth the truth of. All this writer knows right now is that there is a lot of frustration and disappointment in this community.
Lethbridge and Medicine Hat had wonderful support from their local constabulary - Red Deer still struggles with the RCMP who will not support the event from what I have been told.
Prince George's Toy Run was a huge success and reportedly there were no issues with the police there - I have also had reports out of Regina and Saskatoon that again - there were no challenges and lots of great support. I haven't heard from Winnipeg or Brandon - Ontario has reported really favourably from a number of places. Sadly Montreal and Quebec city have had some issues not unlike Grande Prairie's (I call it the fish bowl syndrome) and Cape Breton is telling me that their police services are amazingly supportive for anything the riding community hosts.
What do you think it is going to take before motorcyclists get organized and start to affect change in a thoughtful, long lasting and measured way? We have it happening in pockets - how can we make it a tidal wave across the country?
Right across this country municipal elections are upon us. Right across this country there are business people and politicians that ride motorcycles. What is it going to take for us as a community to take a stand - to create a really good solid and logical platform that addresses the needs of not only our community but all communities and get out there as a group to affect change? Logic and balance need to be applied here...
We will have national elections coming soon and NOW would be the time to consider starting our own political party. What could the name be? Who should we be approaching in each province to represent our interests?
If you look at the Muslim community in Canada and how many Muslims are in politics here and how they have managed to change the landscape of Canadian politics - they are about 750K strong - and the motorcycle community is about 600K - it makes one realize WE DO have the ability to change the political landscape - the only question is do we have the heart? There is power in numbers - so when you think to yourself I am one person how can I change things - be one person who joins a group that lobbies to affect change - join your one voice with the voice of another until we are the voices of many.
It is only through your participation that anything will ever change - it is only by voting, by working diligently to make a difference that a difference can be made. F.I.R.R.E. is a group that although new is already beginning to affect change and create a positive movement for riders to support each other and their communities. Joining the Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education might be the right thing for you to do - come check us out to find out!
F.I.R.R.E.'s First Annual General Meeting for October 3, 2010
I personally have been writing letters to the Solicitor General, The Justice Minister here in Alberta over the sentence handed to the woman who killed Terry Kunto in Calgary last year.
I have written to our mayor here in Grande Prairie to ask for clarification over the events that took place during the Toy Run - If I get any responses I will let you know but in the mean time if you - no matter where you live in Canada - add your voice and questions to mine we can get answers and we can take action. Click this line to read yesterday's Blog Post complete with videos on what happened here in GP - and here is the mayor's email addy: dlogan@cityofgp.com if you would like to express your concerns as either a citizen of Grande Prairie or as a potential tourist/visitor to GP.
We are far from powerless - and if we unite we CAN make a difference - one person joining another, who then joins with another - eventually when we have the support of 5 or 600K people we WILL be taken seriously - so don't think you are powerless - you are so much more powerful than you realize!
As with every day - if you have an idea, an opinion - please wade in on the topic - we all learn and become better rounded people when we share ideas and thoughts!
In the News today:
In Ontario a 24 year old rider was killed and the Mayor of Ottawa intends to make Ottawa more rider friendly...
In Manitoba the police are volunteering to test you bike for noise to help you avoid a ticket...
In Prince George BC Santa lead the way during the Toys for Tots Parade.
I hope and pray that if you are riding today you will Ride defensively, ride your own ride - do NOT let peer pressure get the best of you...Ride like everyone around you is BLIND, has an UNSAFE load and IS out to get you and please - ride Proud not Loud - invest in a 140 DB Air horn instead! AND CHECK YOUR TIRES AGE - AND YOUR TIRE PRESSURES DAILY!!!!
I am happy to hear and be able to report that the Edmonton City Police stayed away from the fish barrel called the Edmonton Toy Run and that 2500- 3500 riders - depending on who supplied the stats - showed up in spite of the fear that they could be ticketed. My community is the BEST - we are capable of putting the cause ahead of ourselves and that is a pretty rare thing I think! WAY TO GO EDMONTON RIDERS!
Sadly - that was NOT the case here in Grande Prairie where the RCMP decided to hold a road block at the entrance to Muskoseepi Park - the head of the parade. They made it untenable.... and now we have other issues to deal with - they are not clear cut issues either and it is not going to be so easy to find out what side of the fence Mayoral candidates are on either.
At the toy run here, the talk amongst many riders was that the RCMP actually run the town and no one knows why we pay a Mayor or the Aldermen/Councillors. Perhaps they are right - perhaps not, it is an issue that a few of us intend to try to unearth the truth of. All this writer knows right now is that there is a lot of frustration and disappointment in this community.
Lethbridge and Medicine Hat had wonderful support from their local constabulary - Red Deer still struggles with the RCMP who will not support the event from what I have been told.
Prince George's Toy Run was a huge success and reportedly there were no issues with the police there - I have also had reports out of Regina and Saskatoon that again - there were no challenges and lots of great support. I haven't heard from Winnipeg or Brandon - Ontario has reported really favourably from a number of places. Sadly Montreal and Quebec city have had some issues not unlike Grande Prairie's (I call it the fish bowl syndrome) and Cape Breton is telling me that their police services are amazingly supportive for anything the riding community hosts.
What do you think it is going to take before motorcyclists get organized and start to affect change in a thoughtful, long lasting and measured way? We have it happening in pockets - how can we make it a tidal wave across the country?
Right across this country municipal elections are upon us. Right across this country there are business people and politicians that ride motorcycles. What is it going to take for us as a community to take a stand - to create a really good solid and logical platform that addresses the needs of not only our community but all communities and get out there as a group to affect change? Logic and balance need to be applied here...
We will have national elections coming soon and NOW would be the time to consider starting our own political party. What could the name be? Who should we be approaching in each province to represent our interests?
If you look at the Muslim community in Canada and how many Muslims are in politics here and how they have managed to change the landscape of Canadian politics - they are about 750K strong - and the motorcycle community is about 600K - it makes one realize WE DO have the ability to change the political landscape - the only question is do we have the heart? There is power in numbers - so when you think to yourself I am one person how can I change things - be one person who joins a group that lobbies to affect change - join your one voice with the voice of another until we are the voices of many.
It is only through your participation that anything will ever change - it is only by voting, by working diligently to make a difference that a difference can be made. F.I.R.R.E. is a group that although new is already beginning to affect change and create a positive movement for riders to support each other and their communities. Joining the Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education might be the right thing for you to do - come check us out to find out!
F.I.R.R.E.'s First Annual General Meeting for October 3, 2010
at the Carstairs Community Hall - 1100 Lackner Way in Carstairs AB. Meeting will begin at 2 pm.
I personally have been writing letters to the Solicitor General, The Justice Minister here in Alberta over the sentence handed to the woman who killed Terry Kunto in Calgary last year.
I have written to our mayor here in Grande Prairie to ask for clarification over the events that took place during the Toy Run - If I get any responses I will let you know but in the mean time if you - no matter where you live in Canada - add your voice and questions to mine we can get answers and we can take action. Click this line to read yesterday's Blog Post complete with videos on what happened here in GP - and here is the mayor's email addy: dlogan@cityofgp.com if you would like to express your concerns as either a citizen of Grande Prairie or as a potential tourist/visitor to GP.
We are far from powerless - and if we unite we CAN make a difference - one person joining another, who then joins with another - eventually when we have the support of 5 or 600K people we WILL be taken seriously - so don't think you are powerless - you are so much more powerful than you realize!
As with every day - if you have an idea, an opinion - please wade in on the topic - we all learn and become better rounded people when we share ideas and thoughts!
In the News today:
In Ontario a 24 year old rider was killed and the Mayor of Ottawa intends to make Ottawa more rider friendly...
In Manitoba the police are volunteering to test you bike for noise to help you avoid a ticket...
In Prince George BC Santa lead the way during the Toys for Tots Parade.
I hope and pray that if you are riding today you will Ride defensively, ride your own ride - do NOT let peer pressure get the best of you...Ride like everyone around you is BLIND, has an UNSAFE load and IS out to get you and please - ride Proud not Loud - invest in a 140 DB Air horn instead! AND CHECK YOUR TIRES AGE - AND YOUR TIRE PRESSURES DAILY!!!!
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