Submitted Photo Numerous motorcycles line the streets in Turtle Lake for a charity event. The widespread interest in motorcycles has triggered efforts to promote motorcycle tourism. Photo from Jim Clifford.

Motorcycle tourism helps drive economies, but how much it impacts North Dakota and whether the state can capitalize further are questions that Minot State University professor Andrew Bertsch wants answered.

Bertsch, with MSU’s Business Administration Department, has begun researching motorcycle tourism, recently launching a survey to collect baseline data about travel and spending from riders.

“I’ve been riding all my life and going on road trips since before I even graduated from high school,” Bertsch said. “One of the things that I’ve started noticing, as I’ve ridden more and more is that some states, and even some communities, really do a good job of welcoming motorcyclists and seem to recognize the value of tourism spending.”

In addition to motorcyclists who just get out and ride, there are a number of regional rallies focused on bike brands that bring brand enthusiasts together for festivities and to interact with vendors.

“I do think that there’s opportunity in North Dakota to, first of all, recognize the economic impact that motorcycle tourism might have on the state. Secondly, what are some of the future opportunities to cater to motorcycle tourists, whether it’s off road motorcycling or scenic byways or motorcycle rallies,” Bertsch said.

“The other thing that I think a lot of people kind of have a misconception about is that motorcycle tourism isn’t just highway tourism or scenic road tourism. There’s a lot of interest, particularly up here in the Midwest, for off-road opportunities,” he added. “In fact, dual sport motorcycles are an actual segment of the motorcycle industry by themselves – bikes that can handle off roading but also are street legal.”

The survey released online a couple of weeks ago asks respondents about travel interests, numbers of trips, overnight trips, off-road interest and spending on their motorcycle hobbies. It seeks to find out what draws them to different locations and what might encourage them to explore North Dakota.

Bertsch said he has collected around 200 responses so far. The goal is to get at least a few thousand responses. Flyers with information about the survey will be placed with motorcycle shops, state parks and other places frequented by motorcycle enthusiasts.

The survey will remain open until late September or early October. It can be accessed at askmsu.com/motorcycles.

Bertsch will be feeding data into an economic impact model suited to analyzing this type of tourism and plans to complete a research report this winter. He said North Dakota Tourism has indicated interest in seeing the results and also in helping find secondary data on motorcycle tourism from national sources or other states to enhance the research.