2009 MSU Study of Licensed Off-Road Vehicle Use and Users

Michigan Department of

Natural Resources Presented By: Steve Kubisiak, Recreation and Trails Program Coordinator

February 9, 2011

Michigan’s ORV Trail System

Designated ATV and Motorcycle Trails

Designated ORV Routes and Scramble Areas

2009 MSU Study of Licensed Off-Road Vehicle Use and Users• Fourth major statewide study

• Examine trends

• Explore economic significance

• Part of motorized trail study that also measured snowmobile use

• Funded by Michigan DNRE and MSU Extension

2009 MSU Study of Licensed Off-Road Vehicle Use and Users• The trend in total ORV user days in

Michigan over 43 years is upwards.

• The latest 38% increase in user days is influenced by the 46% increase in the number of licensed ORVs from the 2000 study, coupled with a 12% decline in use per ORV.

2009 MSU Study of Licensed Off-Road Vehicle Use and Users

Economic significance to Michigan’s Economy:

• $300 million spending total:–$212 million equipment

spending–$82 million trip spending–Supports 800 jobs statewide

ORV Trip Destination Spending Average spending/party on ORV riding trips on

designated system/public lands

Category $Average Resident (% Spending Something)

$Average Non-resident (%Spending Something)

Lodging $52 (33%) $146 (50%)

Restaurant 52 (67%) 89 (92%)

Grocery 54 (70%) 83 (84%)

ORV expense 32 (58%) 80 (80%)

Tow vehicle expense

26 (40%) 67 (74%)

All other items 24 (35%) 27 (38%)

Total 240 (88%) 493 (96%)

Michigan Resident ORV Equipment Spending

Mean household spent $1,839 • 47% purchased new ORV or support

equipment• 20% purchased used ORV or support

equipment• 62% purchased ORV repairs (non trip

related)• 51% purchased insurance for their ORV• 8% purchased storage for their ORV

2009 MSU Study of Licensed Off-Road Vehicle Use and Users

Michigan’s Licensed ORVs:

• 67% are all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)• 14% are motorcycles• 14% are sport utility vehicles (SUVs)• 5% are utility vehicles• In 1976 almost 75% were motorcycles

& most of the rest SUVs

2009 MSU Study of Licensed Off-Road Vehicle Use and Users

Primary Purpose of ORV Ownership:

• 37% trail/scramble area riding• 25% supporting hunting or fishing• 24% utility vehicle on private property• 4% compensate for disability

• 9% other

2009 MSU Study of Licensed Off-Road Vehicle Use and Users 2009 ORV Licensee Demographics:• 93% Male• 87% Michigan Residents• 13% Non-resident• 56% have one or more years of college• Average 49 years of age• 60% live in the Southern Lower Peninsula• 19% live in the Northern Lower Peninsula• 22% live in the Upper Peninsula• 27% own a second home in Michigan• 21% are members of an organization related to ORVs

with the largest proportion of 6% belonging to Michigan United Conservation Clubs

Conclusions

• ORV use and users make substantial contributions to Michigan’s Economy

• Michigan’s designated trail system is critical to facilitating the economic contributions that can be tied directly to ORV use

• Economic value of ORV use will grow if trends continue as they have over the past decade.

www.michigan.gov/dnre

Full Report Available On-LineThank You