HOT NEWS – September 5, 2005
Sturgis Traffic Down 4%
Automatic traffic counters operated by the South Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) at entry points to the City of Sturgis showed traffic in the area during the 65th annual motorcycle rally, Aug. 8-14, fell by 4% compared to last year.
The counters, set up at 22 locations on I-90, Hwy. 14A and Hwy. 34, show how many vehicles travel in and out of the town each day, but they don’t show how many people actually attend the event.
This year’s count averaged 74,951 vehicles per day, or 524,657 for the week-long event, according to the DOT report. Traffic peaked on Friday, Aug. 8, when 96,676 vehicles were counted, and fell each day to a total of 30,055 vehicles on Sunday, Aug. 14.
Last year, a total of 547,370 vehicles were counted. While the daily average is down from 2004, it is still above the 10-year average of 69,980 vehicles a day. The best-attended event took place in 2000, when 604,000 vehicles were counted during the week.
EU May Change MC Licensing
The European Union’s Third European Driving License Directive, due to be implemented in 2011, is an attempt to reduce accidents by 50% by harmonizing motorcycle licenses across Europe.
The directive includes proposals to raise the minimum age from 17 to 19 for motorcycles larger than 125cc, to raise the minimum age to ride high-powered motorcycles from 21 to 24 to introduce a new stepped license system between license categories requiring riders to complete further testing or training between steps; and to give individual European countries the right to introduce independent age requirements.
The move is seen as an example of over-regulation in an effort to cut motorcycle accidents.
Erico Rents Scooters
Erico Motorsports, Denver, has launched a Scooter Rental Program. The venture was begun with a fleet of new 49cc Piaggio Typhoons. If the renter chooses to do so, 50% of the rental price can be applied to the purchase of a new scooter at the dealership.
Details are available at www.ericomotorsports.com.
Eight firms chase BMW
Eight agencies are bidding for BMW’s U.S. advertising account, and a decision is expected this year.
The winning agency will manage an ongoing account of approximately $70 million, while Publicis NY, Publicis Dallas, and Grey Worldwide, Los Angeles will continue to manage regional marketing accounts totaling approximately $90 million.
AIH Picks Marketing Exec
Dave Marshall has been tapped as marketing director at Fort Worth-based American IronHorse Motorcycle Co. Marshall will be responsible for all marketing programs. He has more than 15 years experience in sports management and marketing.
Snow Study Expensive
Yellowstone National Park officials estimate that the latest study concerning snowmobile access will cost $2 million to $3 million.
Between 1996 and this year, the National Park Service has paid an estimated $6.9 million for several studies on the issue, including an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) in 2000, a supplemental EIS in 2003, a study of rules for a temporary plan, and related research and monitoring of conditions inside the park during the winter.
Like past efforts, the new EIS will look at several scenarios for winters in Yellowstone, ranging from a ban on snowmobiles to limited numbers that may or may not have to be accompanied by commercial guides.
A draft of the EIS is expected to be done by next spring. A final decision is scheduled for the summer of 2007.
Kawi Supports MMI
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., Irvine, Calif., has delivered eight new motorcycles and 18 new engines to the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) for use in its K-Tech Specialist Program, a curriculum focused exclusively on Kawasaki products.
