Our saviours - the MMIC

In Australia there is an article about a man and his motorcycle repair shop and how the VLAD Laws are costing him his livelihood.

In Manitoba you can be arrested with a Peace Bond as someone who MIGHT commit an offence in the future if the police suspect your patch is an "OMG" Patch.

In Bathurst New Brunswick where the Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaw has been adopted there have been articles on restaurants and pubs closing citing loss of the motorcyclist's business.

Innocents always get hurt when laws are applied unfairly.

The Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaws hurt the community but so do those who behave in a way as to be deemed as show off's, those who have to wick on that throttle to gain attention.

It is a case of the many paying the price for the actions of the few, the same as it is with all other laws that infringe on freedoms and rights.

I live in Grande Prairie Alberta, I ride a stock motorcycle. I have never modified the exhaust of my bike.  And yet, I fear riding in Edmonton.  Why? Because when I am on the road, it is generally as a reporter going to an event, and time is of the essence for me.  If I am pulled over in a motorcycle ONLY noise check stop, I could be detained for upwards of an hour. My bike, I am positive would pass the test, but I don't want to be held up as I don't enjoy being late.

And, I am not alone, I know many riders that avoid going to events in Edmonton, that ride around the city and avoid the restaurants, pubs etc that cater to riders.
The charities suffer, the businesses suffer and the rider does too.

Noise is a problem in all urban centres.

Enter our saviours - the MMIC, the people who brought us the J2825 testing standard.

The MMIC, Moped Motorcycle Industry Council has taken it upon themselves to promote a motorcycle only noise test called the J2825 that they and their American counterparts paid to develop.

Apparently, they did so thinking they were helping the industry...

From the MMIC Website:
The SAE J2825 Sound Test for Motorcycles

On-highway riders and their bikes don't have to be victims of questionable sound-level checks anymore, thanks to a new procedure developed by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) in partnership with SAE International, and the Motorcycle & Moped Industry Council (MMIC), as one of its funding partners.

The MIC and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) established the SAE J 2825 sound test, which will provide a quick, easy, economical, and science-based tool for accurately identifying motorcycles with excessively noisy sound emissions.

Now, law-enforcement authorities have a simple, quick, economical tool for accurately identifying motorcycles with excessively loud exhaust systems. The SAE document J2825, "Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles," meets the need for a practical, consistent roadside sound test. END QUOTE

Also from their website:

BEGIN QUOTE: Sound Emissions

MMIC member companies' products meet all Transport Canada sound emission standards. The industry is working with provincial ministries to develop consistent sound emission policies across the country. The industry is committed to continue to reduce sound emissions. END QUOTE

MMIC and its member manufacturers and distributors recommend the new SAE J 2825 stationary sound test procedure for on-highway motorcycles and encourage the implementation of these standards across Canada.  END QUOTE

If that is the case - if what the MMIC claims is true, and they are committed to reducing sound emission, why is it their dealers will sell you ILLEGAL exhaust systems?

Take a look at most aftermarket pipes and you will see a stamp on them "FOR OFF HIGHWAY USE ONLY"  They are generally meant for racing applications not highway use.
When you buy those pipes a dealer will point that out to you and if you agree to have them installed to improve horsepower and engine performance, and get a fine, you and you alone are on the hook.

Inconsideration and the need to make money in business have brought us to this cross roads.
What is the answer to people learning to share this world responsibly?
I have no idea - but I do not believe that singling out our community for special stops, higher than normal fines compared to other vehicles for the same infractions...

NOISE IS NOISE and if you are going to force one segment of the population to conform to a noise rating, then it should be good enough for everyone else.

When are we going to see a noise test for ALL vehicles?

I doubt we ever will - the automotive industry does not seem to feel any pressure to reduce noise by vehicles.

So riders, it seems that because the industry created this test and endorses it, we are stuck with bylaws that are discriminatory. Or are we?

What say you?

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Costs - Edmonton's Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaw

For riders in Edmonton, the battle lines have been drawn.
The city of Edmonton is looking to INCREASE the fines for loud pipes.
The fine stands at $250 for the first offence.

According to an article in the Edmonton Sun, motorcyclists aren't being disproportionately targeted for noise violations - but how true is that statement?

Begin Quote: The report states 338 motorcyclists have been charged under the Motorcycle Noise Bylaw since it was enacted three years ago. In comparison, 714 motor vehicle operators have been charged for noise under the Traffic Safety Act in the same time frame - including 494 during motorcycle season. End Quote

338 motorcyclists in a city with approximately 13,000 motorcycles
(M.O.D.E.L. Edmonton Numbers)

714 motor vehicle operators in a city with 602, 783 registered vehicles. (http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType47/Production/vehreg2012.pdf)

But motorcycles aren't stopped or ticketed disproportionately?

Well, let's do the math...

338 divided by 13,000 =  2.6% of motorcycles
714 divided by 602,783 = .00118% of vehicles - please take into account this figure does not include tourists, or others from outside communities using the roadways in Edmonton Metro.

According to the same article in the Sun - "Of the 338 tickets written, 108 were voluntarily paid and 151 were challenged in court, with 86 being withdrawn or dismissed." End Quote

Now lets do some other math.

338 motorcyclists ticketed.
108 tickets paid: 108 x $250 = $27,000
65 convicted: 65 x $250 = $16,250
86 were with drawn (Quashed)
79 Are still before the courts
Total Income: $43,250

I used the Rate Sheet information from Edmonton to create a budget of sorts for the costs of this Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaw and it can be seen here: http://www.edmonton.com/files/Rate_Sheet.pdf

Initial Costs:
Training & Equipment Costs: $68,000

Operational Costs:
3 police officers per motorcycle noise check - each motorcycle check takes approximately an hour.
3 officers x $60.00 per hour = $180/hour for 338 hours = $60,840
1 police car @ $50 per day: 338 hours divided by 8 hours (a normal work day) = 42 day x $50 = $2,100

Administration Time:
If it takes an officer 1 hour of admin and court prep time per ticket then 338 x $60 = $20,280

Time in the courts: 
If the courts time is worth let's guess here and say $750 per hour (Judge, clerk, 2 peace officers/sheriffs, crown council, building costs) and the average traffic ticket takes 1/2 hour to fight that means 338-108 voluntarily paid = 230 divided by 2 - 115 hours of the courts time @ $750/hour = $86,250
(79 tickets are still to go before the courts but I have added them in here to reflect the costs as closely as possible.)

Costs that are known or calculable:
$68,000 - Initial training and equipment
$60,840 - Police officer wages
$2,100 - patrol car
$20,280 - Police officer wages for admin and court prep
$86,250 - Court Time costs
$237,110 - Total Costs 

$237,110 - $43,250 = -$193,860 and that's just a rough estimate!

Moral, ethical and legal questions regarding the discrimination issues of this bylaw aside, is this really an effective use of the time of 3 police officers, court resources and taxpayers money?

I guess Edmonton City council thinks so.

What say you?

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Background information on the bylaw, provincial statutes and the fines:

From the Edmonton Police Department Website:

Excessive Noise from Vehicles

We’ve all experienced it, vehicles with loud stereos that seem to vibrate the walls of your home as they pass by and vehicles with modified exhaust systems that can be heard for several city blocks.

Edmonton, like other urban centres throughout the country, is receiving repeated complaints about excessive vehicle noise. Numerous noise complaints have come in through city councillors, the Chief’s town hall meetings, in the media and the public calling in on the police complaint line.

Loud and excessive noise can be characterized as noise that becomes a nuisance to the general public, taking into consideration the nature, location, time and proximity of the source to residents and members of the public. An example of this would include a loud auto stereo or car, truck or motorcycle exhaust emitting sound to the extent it disturbs patrons at a café, nearby residents or other motorists on the roadway.

Loud and excessive noise is now being addressed as a community disorder issue in Edmonton. Traffic and Patrol members are conducting an enforcement campaign in an effort to crack down on offenders.

If operated normally, most original or equipment in any vehicle should not emit excessive noise. Check the equipment that you do have to ensure your exhaust system does not emit excessive noise through a widened outlet that amplifies the noise. Also ensure that your system is equipped with baffles. Have consideration for those around you and avoid aggressive use of your equipment.
Fines for Violation

The EPS will charge violators at three benchmark noise levels tested with the motorcycle stationary.:
Violators in excess of 92 dbA at idle for all motorcycles
Violators in excess of 96 dbA at 2000 rpm for motorcycles having less than 3 cylinders or more than 4 cylinders
Violators in excess of 100 dbA at 5000 rpm for motorcycles with 3 or 4 cylinders.

The fine for violation of this bylaw is $250.00.

Sections of the Traffic Safety Act can also be used when dealing with excessive noise.
TSA Noise Laws

The following sections of the Traffic Safety Act (TSA) Vehicle Equipment Regulations (VER) or Traffic Safety Act (TSA) Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulations (ROR) pertain to excessive vehicle noise.

In summary they state:Section 61 TSA- VER refers to a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine. It says that the exhaust muffler must not produce excessive noise or flames and sparks. It goes on to say that the exhaust outlet cannot be widened or have a device attached to it that increases noise. The fine is $115.00.

Section 82 TSA- ROR states a person shall not create or cause the emission of any loud and unnecessary noise from a vehicle or any part of it, or from anything or substance that the vehicle or a part of the vehicle comes into contact with. The fine for this section is $115.00.

Section 87 TSA- ROR relates to driving a motor vehicle in a residential area between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. that disturbs residents. This section requires a complaint from a resident. The fine for excessive noise under this section is $115.00. A complainant must appear in court as a witness if charges are laid under this section.

Section 115 (2)(f) TSA says a person shall not do any of the following: drive a vehicle as to perform or engage in any stunt or other activity on a highway that is likely to distract, startle or interfere with other users of the highway. The fine for this section is $402.00 and carries 3 demerit points.

Lawsuit Saga Continues

As many of you know, I am being sued by Ray Sasseville, Joan Hansen and Sturgis North.
They claim, my reporting of the doings of their CEO Ray Sasseville is defamatory, libellous and preventing them from earning a living in the motorcycle community.

Visit my defense fund page for all the information on everything I have ever written on them including the evidence I am allowed to share publicly.

According to my attorney, Ray wants to drop the suit as it pertains to the City of Sicamous, the Mayor of Sicamous and the Sicamous Chamber of Commerce.  So we shall see how that ends up.

The hearing to move the case to Salmon Arm happens on the 31st of March.

My research assistant and I have continued to investigate Sturgis North and all of it's various names and owners including the newly trademarked Sturgis Canada.  The trademark went through on February 28th of 2014.

Apparently because Sturgis SD never registered their trademark internationally (meaning here in Canada), Mr. Sasseville has all the right to use the name Sturgis and now that he's trademarked, there can be no question.

I came across interesting news from Jonathon Sasseville, one of Ray's three sons, on Plenty of Fish, a dating site. He claims to be the head of security and part owner of Sturgis Canada.

I wonder what his investment in the company is.

Before the lawsuit I was still investigating the doings of the people involved with Sturgis North now Sturgis Canada and I intend to continue following them to see if the little people from year's one and two of this event will ever get paid off.

It will be interesting to see if we ever learn who the new investors are in Sturgis Canada and what kind of bands they line up, they say there will be a big announcement on the 19th of March.

Writing about them is a double edged sword for me as I am giving them airtime I would rather not, but I still have a defense fund that needs help and letting you all know that I am not giving up in my pursuit of the truth is important to me.

I need to sell 224 more tee shirts to pay my lawyer this month and will need to raise the same for next month, then I should have a lull until we get to court.

My lawyer asked me about a countersuit but from what I have seen in the court documents, even when you win a case with these people, it appears that collecting is rather, difficult.  The lawsuit launched by Ray's wife Edith as the Power of Attorney for Marjorie Sasseville (Ray's Mother from what I am told), has gone nowhere and it's for $140,000.

Michael Smith's lawsuit was won but from what I am lead to understand he has not been able to collect as of yet, that one is for $70K and there has been no movement on the Vernon Motoplex suit which is for somewhere around $450K.

And so, the Lawsuit Saga Continues....

My head is spinning with all of this.

I never started this fight but I will tell you that I want my day in court and to have a judge tell me I have done my job properly. I want to see the people who are owed money paid.  I want to see wrongs righted.

So folks, if you were in my boots, what would you do?

Waste more money to countersue and hope you can collect?  

The other thing my lawyer asked is if they offer to drop the suit against me would I be prepared to absorb the costs and walk away?

You know, I have no idea how to answer that question.

If I thought I had this community behind me and willing to help me fight, I'd continue on because I want my good name cleared by a judge and I want the people involved exposed - I have more knowledge that what I can share publicly and none of it is good, and if I don't get to court, that evidence will remain forever buried.  

I am looking for ideas and advice.  

My little business has always been run like a non profit and has always paid things forward into the riding community where I make my living.  I don't have a reserve to fight this kind of stuff.  I am $1,600 away from being able to pay this latest bill. 

What do I do if I can't raise that money?

Represent myself I guess....

If anyone has any ideas, I am more than willing to hear them...

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

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

The Discrimination Begins - Power of the People Pt. 2

The 2014 riding season has not gotten underway in many regions on Canada yet, but our lifestyle and machines are already under attack.

Saskatoon is moving for a motorcycle noise bylaw with a 92 decibel level and they will be using the controversial J2825 SAE Test to measure the noise from your motorcycle.

The 92 decibel J2825 Motorcycle Only Noise Test created by the Society of Automotive Engineers for the MIC and MMIC is slowly spreading across the country.

Watch the video to see how its conducted:

Something YOU NEED to know about the J2825 and your motorcycle's insurance:

If the officer/s conducting the test damages your bike, your insurance WILL NOT cover the damage and your only recourse is to sue the officer/s, not the police service but the officer/s. 

DOCUMENT YOUR STOP with video and get the officers names and badge numbers on paper.

In Atlantic Canada, we have the City of Bathurst that does not want motorcycles or our ilk in their community. They passed the discriminatory motorcycle only noise bylaw in 2011, the same bylaw has been passed in Edmonton and many other communities across the country. Riders in Atlantic Canada have formed the Atlantic Motorcycle Coalition to stop the spread of this discriminatory practise brought down on the community by the manufacturers. In Edmonton there is MODEL to help you fight your noise tickets, but they can also provide information to you or a rights group you belong to that can help you no matter which province or territory you live in. For you riders in Saskatchewan, you can contact RAGE if you need help. Canadian Riders are not alone in being singled out for special attention either. In the state of Illinois motorcycle poker runs are now required to pay a $400.00 fee to hold a poker run and each stop must buy a special license worth $150.00 We all know about the bikie crack down in Australia and how innocent riders are being detained and harassed all in the name of getting rid of the 1 percenters. I will say it again, as the discrimination begins - The Power of the People can affect change, but not unless you join an association or group and provide them with documentation on the situation you face.  (Read my blog post from yesterday to get the links and information on the various riders rights organizations in Canada.) Unless you make your voice heard by people who can actually do something it's just whining & snivelling. And we know that whining and snivelling is NOT going to get us anywhere,

Here are a few ideas on what you can do this riding season to protect our way of life: #1 - Self Policing - not always a popular option, but turning your back on the show offs who ruin it for the rest of us is one thing we as a community can do easily.  Don't give the attention seeker the attention they are looking for. IGNORE THEM, SHAKE YOUR HEAD and TURN YOUR BACK ON THEM.  Laughing, encouraging or cheering for them only feeds their ego and eggs them on and that is ALL bad for the rest of us. #2 - Respect - remember we have to share our cities and communities, we need to be good neighbours and that means being respectful in hospital zones, residential areas and in business sectors where people are eating on patios and conducting business in their offices. Because other drivers often make more noise than we do, we need to lead by example by being respectful.  While we all know that in urban riding situations cracking the throttle can and often will wake the driver up who is drifting into your lane, cracking your throttle to show off only causes us to loose a tool in our self defense tool kit. Use your pipes only when needed in urban riding situations. Being well trained in emergency stopping and manoeuvres, being highly aware of your surroundings and decent riding gear for physical protection are still the best protection you can have out there. #3 - Be a Part of the Solution - Join a riders rights association in your region and for Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories where there is no association other than MODEL Edmonton (Motorcyclists Opposed to Discriminatory Exhaust Legislation), document your stop and make sure you have a good lawyer. #4 - Film & Photograph - Using a helmet cam or a bike mounted camera can often times provide the evidence you need regarding stops and crashes, so consider making that investment. Historical information is hugely valuable for lobbying groups. We are collecting information to have at the ready just incase we ever get a national riders rights association off the ground in this country. If you wish to share your information on a stop you think was uncalled for or you experienced any kind of profiling, discrimination or harassment, you can fill out the Police Harassment Report on our site.

We have two choices, either work to protect our lifestyle or be prepared to be harassed and discriminated against and learn to like it.

That's the way I see things - what are your thoughts?

Have a great Tuesday everyone and if you are one of those lucky beggars who is riding today - I don't want to hear about it, I have PMS so bad, I might just snap! Seriously, ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

The Power of the People

As we see in the conflicts that are brewing around this world of ours, the power of the people to affect change is powerful.

A small group of committed individuals can accomplish much.

They can topple governments or back them up against a wall.

The on highway motorcycle community in Canada is rapidly approaching 1 million registered motorcycles.

Every weekend you will see thousands of us gathered at various events across our respective provinces and territories, always riding and working for charities that mean something to us, that hit home for us.

Very seldom however, do you see this community rally around itself and its own issues outside of riders we love/care about needing help.

As we get prepared for the 2014 riding season, we as riders are going to face a variety of issues. Some will affect all of us, other issues will only affect certain riders.

Insurance is an issue that affects us all as are the condition of the highways in this country. So is distracted driving.

As a rider who has ridden across this great land of ours, I can tell you road maintenance is also an issue in the majority of regions.

Some of us will experience police harassment, others will ride uninterrupted.

Some of us will experience headaches in communities with Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaws, others will never be detained or bothered.

Some of us will have great experiences at dealerships and others not so much.

Some of us will experience discrimination and be turned away from establishments because of how we dress and what we ride, others will experience none of that.

This summer, when you experience issues, do something about it.
Remember the POWER OF THE PEOPLE!

Document it.  Photos, videos and written accounts of the situations you encounter.

Then if you live in a province/territory with a Riders Rights Organization like BCCOM, ABATE, BRO, Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups, RAGE or the newly formed Atlantic Motorcycle Coalition, get that information into them so that they have something concrete to work with.

They can't help you or anyone else unless YOU give them something to work with.

If you are in a province where there is no collective to represent your voice, like in Alberta, NWT, YT - the only three regions without a provincial/territorial lobbying voice, then you'll really want to document things well especially if it involves court and lawyers. If it is about roadways and other concerns, you can at least present your MLA with the information.

Every rider who experiences something of a discomforting nature should stand up and say something, do something, so that the others who come after you, might not have to experience the same thing.

If you aren't a member of your local riders rights coalition, consider becoming one.

Our voice counts be it as an individual taxpayer or in a collective with many voices united, but they only count when the person/s we are discussing our situation with can actually do something about it.

Whining and not taking the right actions do nothing to alleviate problems - so this summer, get a camera for your motorcycle or helmet, have a note pad and a pen in a tool pouch or jacket pocket and remember, the information you take down and share with the right people, will do some good, if not today, somewhere down the road.

That's what's on my mind today, what are your thoughts on the topic of the Power of the People?

Have a great day and if you are one of the lucky ones who is riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Lobbying for Change

In Saskatchewan, Riders Against Government Exploitation, (R.A.G.E.) have a battle ahead of them with a government that appears to be continually putting them off and or "lying" to them.

The minister responsible for SGI, Saskatchewan Government Insurance, Donna Harpauer, seems to be invisible and yet, Saskatchewan has the highest motor vehicle accident and death rate in Canada.

According to Don Fuller, strategist for R.A.G.E. the issues that R.A.G.E. will be addressing at the upcoming Rate Proposal Hearings are:

1) Opposing the 2014 (6.4%) rate increase for Motorcycles

2) Opposing SGIs continued practice of increasing insurance rates for all vehicles not just motorcycles.

- RAGE has proposed SGI stop increasing license plate rates across the entire Saskatchewan motoring public.

- RAGE has proposed SGI begin focusing on a "real long-term solution" to the escalating accident, injury and death rates in this province.

- R.A.G.E. does not agree with implementing increase after increase in order cover the costs associated with high-risk drivers behavior.

- It is RAGE's position that individuals responsible for the escalating costs of licensing in this province need to held accountable for their behavior.

Note: The personal injury insurance component is not in here as SGI has already identified a full-scale review is happening in 2014. The issue of personal insurance will be addressed by R.A.GE. in that venue where are efforts will have greater impact.

R.A.G.E. has some fundamental and core issues they will be raising at the upcoming Rate Proposal Hearings:

License Demerits
- Raise demerits on high-risk drivers "driver's license" not the license plate.

- Raise the dollar value on the demerit points to where they are more in line with today’s costs, and present a real consequence for high-risk driving behavior.

- Extend the time-frame of the demerit fee from "one-time" to multi-year.

License Suspension
- Reduce the number of demerits an individual can accumulate on their driver's license before their license is suspended.

- Demerits and fines associated with driving demerits must remain in effect through-out the term of a suspension.

Criminal Charges
- Review the criteria for criminal charges related accidents, injury and high-risk behavior causing death.

Law Enforcement
- Request law enforcement be more diligent in assessing fault and charging individuals "at" the "scene", as well as filling out accent reports in full.

- Police services informed R.A.G.E. that police officers seldom assess fault or charge individuals at the scene unless alcohol is involved.

- Accident reports are seldom filled in with all the information needed for any type of full-scale causation study (i.e.: Hurt Report).

These issues affect all drivers not just motorcyclists and it is imperative that all Saskatchewan drivers and riders get out to these meetings and show the government that they want REAL CHANGE not rate increases.

There are many issues involved in seeing accident and injury rates go down in Saskatchewan, and R.A.G.E, as part of the Motorcycle Review Committee put many suggestions forward.

There is now a second group that has formed in Saskatchewan to see the way SGI does things changed, but they are calling for privatization of insurance for motorcyclists and others.

It will be a tough battle to get an insurance company to come into a province where there are only 30,000 registered motorcycles but it might be possible if all 1,114,170 people in the province opted for privatization. Would rates actually go down in a province with a small population?

I ask that question because after all, private companies are about profit just as much as any government insurance is!

R.A.G.E. isn't against privatization, but sees the issue of driver behaviour as the single issue that will reduce crashes and injury in the immediate future.  Privatization is something that has been talked about in Saskatchewan since the 80's but it will not happen unless the people are truly persistent and unified.

Remember, Lobbying for Change takes four things:

1 - Determination and the will of the people to see change happen.

2 - Letters, phone calls, emails and attendance at hearings

3 - Patience, because the wheels of government turn slowly, especially when the bureaucracy is affected. Changing the way things are done involves the changing of systems and mind sets!

4 - Persistence - never let up the pressure.

DATES for Rate Review Meetings ARE:

REGINA -- April 7, 7:30 p.m. at the Delta Regina

SASKATOON -- April 9, 7:30 p.m. at the Delta Bessborough

You'll have a chance to ask SGI questions and express your views on the rate proposal. 

Learn more here: http://saskratereview.ca/images/docs/sgi-2014/srrp_SGI%20Media%20Release_Mar3_posting.pdf

What are your thoughts on this subject?

There's lots of other news in the news feeds this morning, check it out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping you informed!

I hope everyone who subscribes to the Busted Knuckle Chronicles is enjoying their newspaper today!

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

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Putin's Night Wolves

After the outstanding job that Russia did hosting the Olympics in Sochi, a friend on Facebook commented that he thought this was Russia's way of softening up what was to come next and he was right.

15,000 Russian troops are now in the Crimean Peninsula poised to "defend" the Russian speaking citizens and the Russian military base in Sevastopol in answer to the plea of the pro-Russian leader of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov. 

Depending on which report you read or watch, there have been take-over attempts at 2 airports and military personnel with no identifying insignias have been reported to be manning strategic locations.

The ethnic tensions are mounting as the Ukraine begins mobilizing its army to defend its sovereignty.

Enter Putin's Night Wolves

From the Telegraph's article - Begin Quote: 

On Saturday, the Night Wolves organized a mass ride from the northeast of Ukraine through the Russian speaking eastern regions to the Crimea.
They wanted to hand out supplies to pro-Russian militia forces there.
A member of the club's local chapter said: “We don’t want what happened in Kiev to happen here. 

Nazis and bandits have seized power there. And if we have to fight, we’ll fight with everything we can get our hands on.” End Quote

Putin has a strong connection to the Night Wolves Motorcycle Club, so strong in fact that he was put on the blacklist of the Finnish government and barred from entering Finland by accident.

Formed during Perestroika in the 80's, the Night Wolves claim to reject all laws, written and unwritten, reject all political or religious movements and embrace rock 'n' roll and motorcycles.

Putin, a rider himself, lead the Night Wolves in to Novorossiysk for a motorcycle show back in 2011 and has reportedly been late for meetings because he was out riding with the club.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (L) rides a motorbike as he takes part in the 16th annual motorbike festival held by 'The Night Wolves' youth organization in the southern Russian town of Novorossiysk, on August 29, 2011. (ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images) | POOL via Getty Images - start.westnet.ca

Vladimir Putin, then Russia's Prime Minister,
with Alexander Zaldostanov, the leader of the
Night Wolves, in 2010 (AFP/GETTY)

According to the article on Start.WestNet, Alexander "The Surgeon" Zaldostanov, the leader of the Night Wolves, was presented with an Order of Honour after the group helped restore a monument symbolic of Soviet war heroism in the southern city of Volgograd by Putin and in return, "The Surgeon" praised Putin for attempting to return Russia to its former greatness.

Non political but fiercely patriotic? 

That's what the Night Wolves want people to believe but when a club called the Three Roads decided to sever ties with the Night Wolves in favour of forming an allegiance with the Bandidos, a shoot out occurred killing a member of the Night Wolves.  The president of the Three Roads Club expressed that the Wolves had become too political.

According to the article in the Telegraph, the Night Wolves rides and rallies have become a show of soft power in Eastern Europe.

After reading the articles in the Telegraph, StartWestNet and a few others, I have one question about the Russian leader...

Is Putin a member of the Night Wolves?  ARE THEY Putin's Night Wolves?

I really wonder - how about you?

I pray for peace in the region and for cooler heads to prevail.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider