Minutes
January 18, 2012
Attendees:
Beau Rooney, The Riders Magazine;
Bob Godin, Celtic Brothers;
Derek Pitcher, Eagle Custom Choppers;
Don Hutchinson, Silverados;
Dora Cook, Motor Maids;
Mike Bossio, Ontario East Retreads, National Memorial Riders and the French Connection Riders, ORRA;
Shane Wood, Ottawa River Riders;
Susan Duncan, OVTC, Motor Maids;
Bruce Beaven, Capital City Bikers Church;
Rod Noakes;
Greg Shepherd, National Memorial Ride;
Cathie Lester, motorcycle.com motorcycle trainer
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Previous Minutes: Dora went through previous minutes. Minutes approved by Bob and Bruce
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Free Parking: Over 1600 signatures at the bike show. We had a mention in the Ottawa Sun. We need about 10,000 before we can present these or we get to a number we are willing to present.
Dora spoke with Mike Jacob (his father, Peter Jacob was instrumental in getting free parking in TO). Dora got some background info on what has been happening in TO and found out that the push to have the free parking reversed has been squashed.
Sheldon Cross contacted Dora to ask if Dora would sit for him at the Ottawa Council meeting on parking. The group is more focused on what they look like and where they are placed and what they are going to charge. The decision about parking isn’t with the city of Ottawa, business improvement, the ward, the community, the church. Each area of the city is different.
Spoke about various locations we can collect signatures. Fat Boy restaurant has invited us to collect signatures. We need to go to the various shows to collect signatures. Even people who do not ride will sign the petition because if more motorcycles are parking multiple bikes to a spot, then there are more spots available for cars.
Connecting with businesses, hotels, and restaurants and introducing ourselves. -
SOAR Logo – Beau has not had a chance to work on the graphic.
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A discussion was held about possible stickers including the logo and possibly some “watch for motorcycles” text. The quick, uncluttered, and noticeable – dead end street or yield signs; has to be fast and easy to read. Dora showed a sample sticker showing motorcycle helmet and KEEP AND EYE OUT FOR MOTORCYCLES. This might be a good idea inside of MTO offices as posters and bumper stickers. MTO has a program which we will apply for funding for this. Piggy back with other MTO offices or training facilities if possible.
Talked about various kinds of stickers/logos.
Trying to get a quote on a sticker and a poster; Dora’s poster and the triangle sticker. 500-1000 -
May motorcycle awareness month – Dora has produced a letter announcing it. Don said he could send out to his list of media.
A discussion was held about some of the wording and statistics in the letter. (look at stats and see if we can tweak). -
Website update: OVTC is covering the costs to host the SOAR website. Susan indicated that she has made some updates to the site but not done the redesign.
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AGM/meetings – talk about what we want to do at the AGM, free parking, motorcycle awareness month, loud pipes, HOV lanes, insurance rates?, priority – awareness, parking and then other things we are looking at. Mike Bossio will bring up insurance at the ORRA meeting.
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Events: June 3 national memorial ride
SOAR will be at the Biker’s Swap Meet (May 5th); booth at MAD; Ride for Red (Renfrew) May; cruise nights;
More shows: booth Ottawa Valley motorcycle tattoo show – Petawawa -
A discussion was held about how far our group covers. The consensus was that there were no boundaries set, and that it was generally considered the Ottawa region plus areas surrounding the region.
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At the AGM do we want the Biker’s Church put on a lunch? Light lunch?
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New business: city of Ottawa – by-law for special events – new by-law- process to get a license – coordination and costs – city has coordinated so that there is one stop shopping to apply for the special event; two items were commented on – when the event is reviewed – they may come back and tell you that there are certain things you need to add – and the cost associated with it; costs: are going up 14% year over year.
Asked about inviting more people to SOAR meetings – yes, need more volunteers.
Dora is part of membership for ORRA.