MIC RIDE REPORT

AN INSPIRING YEAR Powersports Sales Up 18-Plus Percent

New-model powersports sales increased 18.4 percent in 2020, with motorcycle and scooter sales rising 11.4 percent, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council Retail Sales Report.

“Overall, the industry had a good year under difficult circumstances,” said Erik Pritchard, MIC president and CEO. “The COVID-19 pandemic forced all of us to be nimble and to make the changes we needed to survive. In the end, many in the industry saw strong growth, and now our opportunity is to keep all of these new riders riding and to inspire even more people to join us on two, three, and four wheels.” Read More.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Famed Oceano Dunes Recreation Area Faces Phaseout of OHV Access

California officials are looking to reduce OHV use, end machine-rental concessions, and study the possibility of phasing out all riding and driving at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

The MIC’s Government Relations Office is calling on everyone wanting to keep public riding lands open to weigh in with public comments prior to the March 2 deadline.

“The GRO team has testified multiple times in opposition to limiting motorcycle, ATV, and OHV access at Oceano Dunes, and California Parks and the California Coastal Commission need to hear from businesses and consumers that stand to lose if these changes are made,” said Scott Schloegel, senior vice president at the MIC’s Washington office. “The team also held meetings with California officials and has submitted written comments. More will be coming from us before the deadline. We are also hearing that the California Coastal Commission may separately attempt to authorize a five-year phaseout study as part of a March 18 meeting.” Read More.