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Ride Motorcycle Friendly? For many, the word "bikers" conjures up this 1950's vision of leather clad, rough looking motorcycle riders with tattoos, roaring into town on Harley motorcycles. Well to a certain extent, that's still true today. Yet there is a difference between yesterday and today. Today's bikers include lawyers, doctors and off duty police officers all belonging to one of the fastest growing segments in motor sports, motorcycling! Nationally the number of registered motorcycles rose 61 percent from 3.8 million to 6.1 million between 1995 to 2005, Of those six million, 770,000 of them reside in the states surrounding Michigan. Today’s motorcycle riders tend to be the upwardly mobile middle class and tomorrows retiring baby boomers. They have some time, money and are looking for places to spend both. Add to all this the fact that the largest selling segment of motorcycles are touring bikes and there is good reason to think about making your business motorcycle friendly. So how much of an impact can motorcycle tourism have on a small town. Well for the little town of Sturgis in South Dakota with a population of just over 6,000, it's spectacular. Every year this little town plays host to half a million bikers that converge for the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally. Of course, Sturgis is unique, but touring motorcycles are not. Invite them and they will come. Also consider the economics of motorcycles. By next summer they're talking about gas approaching $4 a gallon. This could have a major impact on tourism. Motorcycles get from 40-50 mpg. What's unique about bikers is that they tend not to be in a hurry and would more often than not choose to ride a secondary road then an expressway. So if you're a business in Small Town USA, chances are they are already riding past your door. Why not find ways to invite them to stop? For Upper Michigan businesses, it's not so much different than snowmobiles. Each winter, little towns all over the U.P. go out of their way to welcome thousands of snowmobiles to their doorstep. Why stop with winter, why not encourage them to come back to the U.P. in the summer on their bikes? So what will take to bring motorcycles to Upper Michigan? Invite them! - Sometimes it's all it takes. That and a smile. Like anyone else, motorcycle riders appreciate a smile when they walk through the door. There isn't room on a motorcycle to carry a lot of clothes so they tend to dress for motorcycle riding. Sometimes they can look a little worn around the edges from riding and because they realize it, they tend to appreciate a smile a little more. Motorcycles Welcome - Riding around the Midwest, I'm seeing more "Motorcycles Welcome" signs hanging out side business establishments welcoming motorcycles in. Guess what? It works! In fact the best way to get motorcycle riders to stop is to have a motorcycle parked out front. Secure Parking - Riders appreciate businesses and events that provide a separate and secure area for parking their motorcycles. Next to spouses (or vice versa) bikers worry about the security of their motorcycles more than anything else. They won't sleep well if unless they know their bikes are safe and secure. That's why many of them prefer small motels or places that provide indoor or secure parking. If you want motorcycle business find a way to provide a safe and secure parking area. Ship it for them - Remember motorcycles barely have room for a extra pair of socks and a toothbrush so if you want to sell something large to a biker, be prepared to ship it to their home. Saloons, taverns & bars - Not all, but a lot of us like to shake off the dust and aches of a long ride by enjoying a cold brew and great bar burger. We'll drive a hundred miles out of our way to find you if another rider tells us you're the place to go. Hint: You'll also be the first place we stop when we roll into town if we see another motorcycle parked in front. Biker Discounts - We're a nation of discounts. The reason businesses offer discounts is they work. Offering "biker discounts" can help bring bikers to your door. Of course you still have to offer something they want, but a biker discount says a lot to a group isn't use to be welcomed through the door. U.P. Cruising has a "Biker Discount Card" program you might want to look in to. Return Business - Motorcycle riders are a pretty loyal crowd. We like to wave to each other, share great riding stories over a campfire and if treated right, we'll be back with our friends. It's all about the journey,
Dave Johnson
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Biker Discounts - If your business offers Biker Discounts, make sure you contact us so can post them on this site.
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