From the Depths of File 13 Unless you make your voice heard by people who can actually do something it’s just whining & sniveling. And we know that whining and sniveling 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 neighbors 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.
emergency stopping and maneuver’s, 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? -BDB
Being well trained in
The Busted Knuckle Chronicles - Canada’s Rider Powered News www.bustedknucklenews.com
Volume 12 11th Edition March 20, 2014
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