Another Canadian protest ride, watch and learn
Note there are videos on you tube re the canadian motorcycle protests. Also note it is sportbikers, cruisers and baggers riding together. Solidarity will win.Add to Technorati Favorites
Canadian Bikers Understand, 10,000 protest registration hike
In a previous post: (link)
The annual event is also known as the Journée du loup.
Sunday's ride began from the St. Hubert airport on the South Shore around 10 a.m. The bevy of motorcyclists made their way to Premier Jean Charest's Montreal office on McGill College Ave, blocking traffic along the way.
They could be seen riding along Highway 30 and Highway 10 before arriving in the heart of the city.
The riders believe higher fees are driving people to give up their bikes, and they want to see the hikes rolled back or frozen.
"It's a 400 percent increase for a sport [bike] in three years and a 100 percent increase in one year for regular motorcyclists," said Normand Noiseux, a member of the Motorcyclists' Political Action Committee.
For example, a bike that cost $320 to register two years ago will cost more than $1,400 to register next year.
The fee for a touring bike will jump from $518 this year to $627 next year.
"Only a few people make trouble and we pay for them," said motorcyclist Patrick Guay.
Another protest is scheduled for next weekend.
see video at the link above and then ask yourself, what would you do (be honest now)Add to Technorati Favorites
Now this is how BIkers get er done- British BIkers set example for American Bkers
We reported on how thousands of British Bikers clogged the streets of Westminster rallying against parking fees. (see video here).
It would appear that Canadian Bikers are also a force to be reckoned with:
Thousands of motorcyclists ride into downtown Montreal
On the Quebec motorcyclists' Day of Rights and Freedoms, about 10,000 motorcyclists rode into downtown Montreal to protest rising registration fees.The annual event is also known as the Journée du loup.
Sunday's ride began from the St. Hubert airport on the South Shore around 10 a.m. The bevy of motorcyclists made their way to Premier Jean Charest's Montreal office on McGill College Ave, blocking traffic along the way.
They could be seen riding along Highway 30 and Highway 10 before arriving in the heart of the city.
The riders believe higher fees are driving people to give up their bikes, and they want to see the hikes rolled back or frozen.
"It's a 400 percent increase for a sport [bike] in three years and a 100 percent increase in one year for regular motorcyclists," said Normand Noiseux, a member of the Motorcyclists' Political Action Committee.
For example, a bike that cost $320 to register two years ago will cost more than $1,400 to register next year.
The fee for a touring bike will jump from $518 this year to $627 next year.
"Only a few people make trouble and we pay for them," said motorcyclist Patrick Guay.
Another protest is scheduled for next weekend.
see video at the link above and then ask yourself, what would you do (be honest now)Add to Technorati Favorites
Compare one woman to 7000 Florida Bikers Rights advocates and learn the truth
I don't know exactly when I first came into contact with Diane Pierson of the Gene Pearson Motorcycle Awareness Foundation home based in the Tampa/St. Pete area. I do know I was impressed and we have referred to her and her cause in a number of posts.
However after reading the latest edition of ABATE of Florida's Masterlink and their claims or excuses regarding safety I thought it fair to do a little comparison shopping if you will. Initially I thought, that it may not be fair at all. After all, she is one woman and is financed primarily through private contributions.
ABATE of Florida is, according their figures, 7000+/- members, with a paid lobbyist/president that claims to receive state money now and again.
But then I have had communications with Ms. Pierson and have no doubt that she can hold her own with the best of them.
The first thing I did was click on the ABATE of Florida Website where you are immediately met with a safety video you can watch here.
It is the only safety video I could find on the site. I then went to you tube and typed in motorcycle safety videos and got approx. 1560 results by such organizations as the "Motorcycle Safety Foundation" (MSP), Think Road Safety (a U.K. organization that puts out some awesome videos), TAC, some Australia outfits and highly recommended as being the most informative and intelligent are any videos by Wendy Moon. Two examples here and here. It would also be beneficial to check out her videos re: the Motorcycle Safety Foundation such as this one here.
Check out her website here if you have questions re motorcycle safety and note that this to is a one woman show. She is most definitely not getting Government money as she is too busy taking the government to task over motorcycle safety.
Note the production qualities of some of these videos and compare them to the ABATE of Florida Video we linked to.
Here ABATE of Florida explains their “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program”. What is to note here is the lack of info provided. Most importantly who developed the program (they state "they" did), how was the program reviewed and quantified as to it's effectiveness. The program states that it is provided by Trained members of local ABATE chapters. Yet neglects to tell us who trains them or who or if they are certified by anybody/ any organization as to being qualified to teach the subject.
So we went to the Florida Department of Highway Safety website to check on programs mentioned and grant bidders and were hard pressed to find ABATE of Florida mentioned anywhere amongst the various programs and bidders. We did find a link on the Florida Highway Patrol Website and a mention of ABATE of Florida donating Teddy bears. There may be more. We were hard pressed to find them. You are free to look. However our thinking is that a dynamic state of the art Safety/awareness program might get a prominent billing.
Clicking on the "Our Commitment to Safety" link on the ABATE of Florida Website we see the following:
(is this up to date?)
How many billboards, public service announcements, where are the "other" videos and what are "other items"? Note: When speaking in Public The President of ABATE of Florida always refers to the "Billboards" that they have erected. In writing they state, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Highways. Why do they say that? Because it is state and Federal money that ABATE ask for to accomplish whatever it is they hope to accomplish. "IF" and when they receive your tax payer dollars to engage in these activities it is not "they" that have done it but "YOU" that have paid for it. With out consultation. In some arenas that is referred to as robbery.
Based on the above however, one would have to question the value of designating a month "motorcycle awareness month" for two reasons:
A. It is not working and will not work without significant action to back it up, and
B. Everyday should be driver awareness day for anyone who is operating a motor vehicle
We should note that Governor Christ did declare May Motorcycle Safety Month this year, while we also note that the legislature killed every bill that would have made Floridas roads safer for all this year. ABATE of Florida who bills themselves as being "safety oriented" even supported the amendment to SB968 that pulled the stiffer penalties from the bill that would have created stiffer penalties for those who seriously injure or kill a motorcyclists (we would add the words negligent, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles).
They do link to the Florida Department of Transportation that does post minutes to some old meetings ABATE attended in the past. Keep in mind however that the state loves meetings. They rarely accomplish anything in meetings, but they sure love them. Especially held somewhere that has a lounge and a pool. However unless followed up with effective legislation or enforcement of existing law they are meaningless.
There is a page of posters printed with state money. There are no instructions as to how you might obtain one. OF course even though it was your money used to print them, your name is not on them.
There is also a page that links you to the Florida Rider Training Website which uses MSF curriculum
as a base for the rider training each Floridian must take to obtain an MC endorsement. We suggest you read this site to see how dangerous this might be to your health. The insanity of it all is that the state of Florida knows that there is no nationally recognized peer reviewed research proving the efficacy of MSF curriculum. Which ABATE of Florida contributes much space to here and here.
However it to is not updated so it may not be that they are up to date on the latest developments in Motorcycle safety.
Actually upon reviewing the site I find more interesting items that have been removed than items that remain. Such as how long ABATE of Florida has been existence (did I miss it or are they ashamed for people to see how little they have accomplished in so long a time).
Note, we said this was a comparison. We were curious as to how ABATE of Florida with all it's members, paid lobbyist and money (as proclaimed by it's president/lobbyist) could accomplish so little over so much time and one woman, Diane Pierson, Mother on a MISSION, could appear to accomplish so much.
So we asked Diane if she had any idea how much she has accomplished in her short existence. And guess what she sent us, a rough outline of her activities over the past few years. It reads as follows:
This web site is dedicated to Gene Adam Pearson, whose life was taken from us on May 19, 2005. He was a great son, brother, uncle and friend and is missed by many. The void that is left in many of our hearts and lives can not be repaired, filled or erased. It is a constant reminder that our loved one is gone from our sight. His name and memory will live on in all of us, as long as we never forget him, and the 31 years he lived and all the lives he touched. His love for his God, family, and friends will continue to live as long as we continue to remember him and keep his memory deep within our hearts. We all love and miss you Gene. Since you have been gone, I have become a Mother on a Mission for Motorcycle Awareness, dedicated in helping to save other motorcycle riders.
IN a previous post:
Doc all but admits that a few of what he refers to as "pathetic" people whipped his ass in the legislative arena. Although we may have doubts as to his interpretation of the situation we have no doubts that one lady, Diane Pearson, is kicking his as all over the MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS ARENA .
Go here to see more posts on Motorcycle safety.Add to Technorati Favorites
However after reading the latest edition of ABATE of Florida's Masterlink and their claims or excuses regarding safety I thought it fair to do a little comparison shopping if you will. Initially I thought, that it may not be fair at all. After all, she is one woman and is financed primarily through private contributions.
ABATE of Florida is, according their figures, 7000+/- members, with a paid lobbyist/president that claims to receive state money now and again.
But then I have had communications with Ms. Pierson and have no doubt that she can hold her own with the best of them.
The first thing I did was click on the ABATE of Florida Website where you are immediately met with a safety video you can watch here.
It is the only safety video I could find on the site. I then went to you tube and typed in motorcycle safety videos and got approx. 1560 results by such organizations as the "Motorcycle Safety Foundation" (MSP), Think Road Safety (a U.K. organization that puts out some awesome videos), TAC, some Australia outfits and highly recommended as being the most informative and intelligent are any videos by Wendy Moon. Two examples here and here. It would also be beneficial to check out her videos re: the Motorcycle Safety Foundation such as this one here.
Check out her website here if you have questions re motorcycle safety and note that this to is a one woman show. She is most definitely not getting Government money as she is too busy taking the government to task over motorcycle safety.
Note the production qualities of some of these videos and compare them to the ABATE of Florida Video we linked to.
Here ABATE of Florida explains their “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program”. What is to note here is the lack of info provided. Most importantly who developed the program (they state "they" did), how was the program reviewed and quantified as to it's effectiveness. The program states that it is provided by Trained members of local ABATE chapters. Yet neglects to tell us who trains them or who or if they are certified by anybody/ any organization as to being qualified to teach the subject.
So we went to the Florida Department of Highway Safety website to check on programs mentioned and grant bidders and were hard pressed to find ABATE of Florida mentioned anywhere amongst the various programs and bidders. We did find a link on the Florida Highway Patrol Website and a mention of ABATE of Florida donating Teddy bears. There may be more. We were hard pressed to find them. You are free to look. However our thinking is that a dynamic state of the art Safety/awareness program might get a prominent billing.
Clicking on the "Our Commitment to Safety" link on the ABATE of Florida Website we see the following:
Abate of Florida, Inc. has held four workshops on Motorcycle Safety and has a fifth planned for May of 2008.
(is this up to date?)
In 2006, ABATE of Florida, Inc., in cooperation with the Florida Department of Highways increased their efforts in motorcycle awareness with items such as billboards, public service announcements, posters, an additional Motorcycle Awareness video and various other items.
How many billboards, public service announcements, where are the "other" videos and what are "other items"? Note: When speaking in Public The President of ABATE of Florida always refers to the "Billboards" that they have erected. In writing they state, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Highways. Why do they say that? Because it is state and Federal money that ABATE ask for to accomplish whatever it is they hope to accomplish. "IF" and when they receive your tax payer dollars to engage in these activities it is not "they" that have done it but "YOU" that have paid for it. With out consultation. In some arenas that is referred to as robbery.
We work each year with the Governor to proclaim May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness month.See here to see a partial list of Florida proclamations of special days and months. Although not on the list of official days it is traditional around the country to declare May, Motorcycle Safety month as evidenced here:
FDOT declares May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
NAPLES — The Florida Department of Transportation has announced that they are joining with other federal, state and local highway safety, law enforcement and motorcycle organizations proclaiming May as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.”
Motorcyclist fatalities have steadily increased over the past decade. In fact, there was a seven percent increase in fatalities from 4,837 in 2006, to 5,154 in 2007, according to a prepared FDOT statement.
Research shows that per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 37 times more likely than a passenger car occupant to die in a traffic crash.
In Florida, motorcyclists account for 5.9 percent of the motoring public. Yet motorcyclists and their passengers account for 17.1 percent of all traffic fatalities.
Based on the above however, one would have to question the value of designating a month "motorcycle awareness month" for two reasons:
A. It is not working and will not work without significant action to back it up, and
B. Everyday should be driver awareness day for anyone who is operating a motor vehicle
We should note that Governor Christ did declare May Motorcycle Safety Month this year, while we also note that the legislature killed every bill that would have made Floridas roads safer for all this year. ABATE of Florida who bills themselves as being "safety oriented" even supported the amendment to SB968 that pulled the stiffer penalties from the bill that would have created stiffer penalties for those who seriously injure or kill a motorcyclists (we would add the words negligent, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles).
They do link to the Florida Department of Transportation that does post minutes to some old meetings ABATE attended in the past. Keep in mind however that the state loves meetings. They rarely accomplish anything in meetings, but they sure love them. Especially held somewhere that has a lounge and a pool. However unless followed up with effective legislation or enforcement of existing law they are meaningless.
There is a page of posters printed with state money. There are no instructions as to how you might obtain one. OF course even though it was your money used to print them, your name is not on them.
There is also a page that links you to the Florida Rider Training Website which uses MSF curriculum
as a base for the rider training each Floridian must take to obtain an MC endorsement. We suggest you read this site to see how dangerous this might be to your health. The insanity of it all is that the state of Florida knows that there is no nationally recognized peer reviewed research proving the efficacy of MSF curriculum. Which ABATE of Florida contributes much space to here and here.
However it to is not updated so it may not be that they are up to date on the latest developments in Motorcycle safety.
Actually upon reviewing the site I find more interesting items that have been removed than items that remain. Such as how long ABATE of Florida has been existence (did I miss it or are they ashamed for people to see how little they have accomplished in so long a time).
Note, we said this was a comparison. We were curious as to how ABATE of Florida with all it's members, paid lobbyist and money (as proclaimed by it's president/lobbyist) could accomplish so little over so much time and one woman, Diane Pierson, Mother on a MISSION, could appear to accomplish so much.
So we asked Diane if she had any idea how much she has accomplished in her short existence. And guess what she sent us, a rough outline of her activities over the past few years. It reads as follows:
Gene Pearson Motorcycle Awareness Foundation
Gene Pearson Motorcycle Awareness Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 542
Oldsmar, FL 34677
We are Non-Profit / Tax Deductible 501(c)(3) and 170(c) P.O. Box 542
Oldsmar, FL 34677
This web site is dedicated to Gene Adam Pearson, whose life was taken from us on May 19, 2005. He was a great son, brother, uncle and friend and is missed by many. The void that is left in many of our hearts and lives can not be repaired, filled or erased. It is a constant reminder that our loved one is gone from our sight. His name and memory will live on in all of us, as long as we never forget him, and the 31 years he lived and all the lives he touched. His love for his God, family, and friends will continue to live as long as we continue to remember him and keep his memory deep within our hearts. We all love and miss you Gene. Since you have been gone, I have become a Mother on a Mission for Motorcycle Awareness, dedicated in helping to save other motorcycle riders.
Please consider making a donation.
DATE:
2/2006 YELLOW CAB NEWS LETTER
5/1/2006 15 Yellow Cab Tops-LOOK TWICE-
Donated space by Yellow Cab &
Mobile Media
8/23/2006 Billboard-Donated space by Clear
Channel (Seminole Blvd, Largo)
9/11/2006 2 Bus Benches-Donated space by
Jaycees
10/4/2006 Bumper Stickers placed in DMV &
Tax Collectors Offices-Pinellas
10/5/2006 Channel 10 News-Kathryn Bursch
10/17/2006 Gene Pearson Motorcycle Awareness
Foundation-Established
11/22/2006 Channel 8 News-Rod Challenger
12/13/2006 2 Bulletin Boards-Donated by CBS
(McDill Ave/Interbay Blvd)
2007
1/5/2007 Bumper Stickers placed in DMV & Tax
Collectors Offices-Hillsborough
1/17/2007 Bus Benches-Donated by Boys & Girls
Club
2/2/2007 Tan Talk Radio 1340AM-Public Safety
Announcement-Donated by Mobile
Media & Yellow Cab
5/23/2007 2 Bus Benches-Donated space by
Jaycees
6/9/2007 Spoke at ABATE State Meeting
7/23/2007 Knology Cable TV Airs Public Safety
Commercial for GPMA Foundation
7/27/2007 14 Bus Shelters-Donated space by Clear
Channel (up for 4 years)
7/30/2007 10 Buses- Donated space by Hartline
8/24/2007 2 Bus Benches- Donated space by Boys
& Girls Club
10/27/2007 2 Bus Benches-Donated space by
Jaycees
2008
1/24/2008 Fox News Live Interview-Channel 13
With Jen Epstein
1/26-27/08 Full Throttle 2008 Motorcycle EXPO@
Harborview Center-gave 7,000 free
Bumper Stickers away
2/18/2008 4 Bus Benches-Donated space by Girls
Inc.
2/24/2008 Mom on a Mission Fund Raiser-DMAC &
Full Throttle-Ride in at Hennesey’s
3/25/2008 Billboard-Donated space by Clear
Channel-Ulmerton &49th in Largo
3/31/2008 Channel 10 News-Interview with New
Billboard & Mother on a Mission
4/12-14/08 13th Annual Freedom Rights Rally in
Tallahassee-drove the ABATE hearse
5/1/2008 Attended the Motorcycle Strategic
Safety Planning meeting-give by
Trenda McPherson-Traffic Safety
Specialist in Tallahassee
5/14/2008 Bumper Stickers placed in Polk
County DMV & Tax Collectors Offices
5/15/2008 Quaker Steak & Lube placed Bumper
Stickers in their Pinellas Park Facility
5/21/2008 2 Bus Benches-Donate space Jaycees
7/30/2008 Bay News 9-TV Interview for
Motorcycle Awareness
8/8/2008 Look Twice-Save A LIFE Billboard
Went up in Orlando-donated space
9/10/2008 Lawyer-Fran Haasch put Mother on a
Mission in her Sept. Newsletter-she has
Given out 1,000 tee shirts with the LOOK
TWICE-SAVE A LIFE message.
10/1/2008 ST. Pete Times printed my story by
Eileen Schulte
10/2/2008 Born to Ride Magazine printed my
Article in Rogue’s Column
10/11/2008 The Sheriff’s Star Magazine printed
my updated story (with new photo’s)
10/21/2008 50,000 Bumper Stickers purchased
With pending grant money
10/30/2008 Received $7495.00 Grant from MSF
11/18/2008 10 Vinyl’s purchased for the sides
of 10 LAMAR TRANSIT Buses
11/19/2008 2 Bus Benches went up in Pasco
County (total 18)
11/25/2008 10 vinyl’s purchased for the rear
windows of 10 Yellow Cabs
12/3/2008 75,000 Free Bumper Stickers have been
given out as of date
2009
1/25/2009 Full Throttle Motorcycle EXPO-
4,5000 free Bumper stickers given out
2/27/2009 Daytona Bike Week- Full Throttle gave
out 2,000 free Bumper Stickers
4/15/2009 Honorary Bike Night@Quaker Steak and Lube
(gave out bumper stickers and raised money)
4/23/2009 2 Bus Benches went up in Pinellas County
(total 20)
5/15/2009 Appeared in the American Motorcycle Association
Magazine and presented my mission
5/18/2009 97,000 Free Bumper Stickers have been given
out as of date
2/2006 YELLOW CAB NEWS LETTER
5/1/2006 15 Yellow Cab Tops-LOOK TWICE-
Donated space by Yellow Cab &
Mobile Media
8/23/2006 Billboard-Donated space by Clear
Channel (Seminole Blvd, Largo)
9/11/2006 2 Bus Benches-Donated space by
Jaycees
10/4/2006 Bumper Stickers placed in DMV &
Tax Collectors Offices-Pinellas
10/5/2006 Channel 10 News-Kathryn Bursch
10/17/2006 Gene Pearson Motorcycle Awareness
Foundation-Established
11/22/2006 Channel 8 News-Rod Challenger
12/13/2006 2 Bulletin Boards-Donated by CBS
(McDill Ave/Interbay Blvd)
2007
1/5/2007 Bumper Stickers placed in DMV & Tax
Collectors Offices-Hillsborough
1/17/2007 Bus Benches-Donated by Boys & Girls
Club
2/2/2007 Tan Talk Radio 1340AM-Public Safety
Announcement-Donated by Mobile
Media & Yellow Cab
5/23/2007 2 Bus Benches-Donated space by
Jaycees
6/9/2007 Spoke at ABATE State Meeting
7/23/2007 Knology Cable TV Airs Public Safety
Commercial for GPMA Foundation
7/27/2007 14 Bus Shelters-Donated space by Clear
Channel (up for 4 years)
7/30/2007 10 Buses- Donated space by Hartline
8/24/2007 2 Bus Benches- Donated space by Boys
& Girls Club
10/27/2007 2 Bus Benches-Donated space by
Jaycees
2008
1/24/2008 Fox News Live Interview-Channel 13
With Jen Epstein
1/26-27/08 Full Throttle 2008 Motorcycle EXPO@
Harborview Center-gave 7,000 free
Bumper Stickers away
2/18/2008 4 Bus Benches-Donated space by Girls
Inc.
2/24/2008 Mom on a Mission Fund Raiser-DMAC &
Full Throttle-Ride in at Hennesey’s
3/25/2008 Billboard-Donated space by Clear
Channel-Ulmerton &49th in Largo
3/31/2008 Channel 10 News-Interview with New
Billboard & Mother on a Mission
4/12-14/08 13th Annual Freedom Rights Rally in
Tallahassee-drove the ABATE hearse
5/1/2008 Attended the Motorcycle Strategic
Safety Planning meeting-give by
Trenda McPherson-Traffic Safety
Specialist in Tallahassee
5/14/2008 Bumper Stickers placed in Polk
County DMV & Tax Collectors Offices
5/15/2008 Quaker Steak & Lube placed Bumper
Stickers in their Pinellas Park Facility
5/21/2008 2 Bus Benches-Donate space Jaycees
7/30/2008 Bay News 9-TV Interview for
Motorcycle Awareness
8/8/2008 Look Twice-Save A LIFE Billboard
Went up in Orlando-donated space
9/10/2008 Lawyer-Fran Haasch put Mother on a
Mission in her Sept. Newsletter-she has
Given out 1,000 tee shirts with the LOOK
TWICE-SAVE A LIFE message.
10/1/2008 ST. Pete Times printed my story by
Eileen Schulte
10/2/2008 Born to Ride Magazine printed my
Article in Rogue’s Column
10/11/2008 The Sheriff’s Star Magazine printed
my updated story (with new photo’s)
10/21/2008 50,000 Bumper Stickers purchased
With pending grant money
10/30/2008 Received $7495.00 Grant from MSF
11/18/2008 10 Vinyl’s purchased for the sides
of 10 LAMAR TRANSIT Buses
11/19/2008 2 Bus Benches went up in Pasco
County (total 18)
11/25/2008 10 vinyl’s purchased for the rear
windows of 10 Yellow Cabs
12/3/2008 75,000 Free Bumper Stickers have been
given out as of date
2009
1/25/2009 Full Throttle Motorcycle EXPO-
4,5000 free Bumper stickers given out
2/27/2009 Daytona Bike Week- Full Throttle gave
out 2,000 free Bumper Stickers
4/15/2009 Honorary Bike Night@Quaker Steak and Lube
(gave out bumper stickers and raised money)
4/23/2009 2 Bus Benches went up in Pinellas County
(total 20)
5/15/2009 Appeared in the American Motorcycle Association
Magazine and presented my mission
5/18/2009 97,000 Free Bumper Stickers have been given
out as of date
Note the specificity. Note the transparency. Note what one woman has accomplished in 2 years and a few months. None of it with YOUR money. All of it through commitment, dedication and a passion for the cause. You can see photos of her accomplishments here:
More lies and misrepresentations by the ABATE of FLorida lobbyist
IN a previous post:
ABATE of Florida lobbyist claims rc and friends whipped his ass
Doc all but admits that a few of what he refers to as "pathetic" people whipped his ass in the legislative arena. Although we may have doubts as to his interpretation of the situation we have no doubts that one lady, Diane Pearson, is kicking his as all over the MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS ARENA .
Go here to see more posts on Motorcycle safety.Add to Technorati Favorites
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