AMA Insider Spring 2016 | Page 6

The CONVERSATION We hear you! At AMA, we value the thoughts and opinions of all members. Here are a few notes members have shared recently. We want to know what you think too! Send your ideas about the new magazine or tell us how you use your AMA membership. Drop us a line at: [email protected] INSIDER SPRING 2016 Volume 41, Issue 1 AMA INSIDER Alberta Motor Association, Box 8180, Station South, Edmonton AB, T6H 5X9 Well and away I’d like to extend a thought and a compliment to you regarding the article “Practice Good Form” (Westworld, winter 2015) about medical questionnaires for travel insurance. You presented valuable information for members considering travel beyond Alberta and Canada. The article highlighted important points about emergency medical assistance while away—information every traveller should know to navigate this oft-tricky part of trip planning. Alvin and Geri Shier Safety first? In the winter 2015 edition of Westworld, I was excited to read the article about “fat biking.” It was cool that you interviewed Mike Sarnecki, who is very knowledgeable about cycling. However, I was very disappointed to see the cyclist pictured not wearing a helmet while riding. AMA is always very conscientious about safety, and I think it would have been appropriate for AMA to ensure activities depicted in its magazine be reflected as safely as possible. I’m a long-time cyclist, and I was involved in a severe cycling accident a few years ago—during which my helmet proved vital to saving my life. Michael Dube Thanks for your letter, Michael. And we’re happy to hear that you credit your helmet with saving your life. You are correct that the cyclist should have been wearing a helmet. AMA recommends that all cyclists, of any age, wear an approved helmet while biking. In fact, it is the law in Alberta for cyclists under the age of 18 years to use a helmet while riding a bicycle. AMA takes bike safety seriously and we are involved in community events across Alberta to help reduce the risk of 6 SPRING 2016 AMA INSIDER injury to cyclists and to promote safe cycling. Every spring in Edmonton, we co-host a bike festival for the Boys & Girls Clubs to provide kids with properly fitted helmets. We’ve also distributed free helmets to Sled Island Festival attendees who biked to the Calgary event. Happy biking, Michael—and thanks for reminding us all how important it is to keep our heads protected. Scott Wilson Senior Policy Analyst, AMA Editor Kellie Davenport Managing Editor Carole Stevenson-Roy Associate Managing Editor Tracy Hyatt Senior Editors Craig Moy, Lara Zarum Assistant Editor Shauna Rudd (on leave) Art Director Gary Davidson Designers Diana Di Poce, Stephanie Firka, Jenny Watson Photo Editor Liz Ikiriko Associate Photo Editor Christie Vuong Advertising Account Manager Brian French, [email protected] Publisher Douglas Kelly Production Director Maria Mendes Production Manager Anna Sigrisi Production Co-ordinator Colleen Gilroy Prepress Co-ordinator Jonathan Gault St. Joseph Media Chairman Tony Gagliano President Douglas Knight General Manager and Vice President, Finance Karl Percy Vice President, Strategic Development Duncan Clark Vice President, Marketing and Production Darlene Storey Vice President, Research Clarence Poirier Editorial Director, Special Projects Maryam Sanati Human Resources Director Laurie Norris Controller Dora Brenndorfer Advertising in AMA Insider does not indicate an endorsement by AMA. Fill Our Fleet We couldn’t have done it without your help! A big thank you to AMA members and employees for your generous donations to help make the Fill Our Fleet event a huge success. Your cash donations helped food banks across Alberta. We are also grateful for the overwhelming number of teddy bears that were dropped off at AMA centres to spread some warm, fuzzy Christmas cheer to families using local food banks. ® AMARewards, AMA Road Reporter, AMA Road Reports, and Driving Angels are trademarks of the Alberta Motor Association. ® CAA, CAA Plus, CAA Plus RV and Approved Auto Repair Services are trademarks owned by, and their use granted by, the Canadian Automobile Association. Subscription rates: Canada $19.95 per year, plus applicable taxes; outside Canada $26.95 per year, no tax. Rates quoted are for non-members only. Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #42494512. AMA Insider Magazine is published four times per year by St. Joseph Media Inc., 111 Queen Street East, Suite 320, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1S2, on behalf of AMA. © 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form without the consent of AMA. Printed in Canada by St.