What is the potential economic impact of motorcycling on tourism and the economy in Michigan?
A.) The economic value of motorcycling in the U.S. over 6 billion dollars a year. Those states that have enacted mandatory helmet laws have experienced a decrease in tourism and dollars from motorcyclists. There are over 770,000 registered motorcycles in the states surrounding Michigan. With every state surrounding Michigan allowing the adult rider a choice on the helmet issue, millions of tourism dollars are lost due to Michigan’s mandatory helmet law. In a survey distributed to motorcyclists throughout the states surrounding Michigan, over 95% of out of state riders surveyed indicated that they do not travel in Michigan due to our mandatory helmet law and that they would if the law was changed. In the three year period following the modification of Floridas mandatory helmet law that state realized a 1.22 billion dollars economic increase from motorcycle sales alone, not including the increase in tourism dollars. A recent independent economic impact study concluded that Michigan shoul
