Interesting news from the MIC as they recently announced an initiative to draw new riders to motorcycling. Over the last several years, the entire industry has been on a mission to try and increase the number of motorcyclist across the country. As the current demographic ages out, the new younger generations are more likely to pick up electronics than swing a leg over a motorcycle.
The reason for this disconnect has been widely debated from the lack of riding areas to the new generation’s lack of adventure and even the barrier to entry being too high for the new rider. This initiative aims to determine the root cause and propose a strategic plan to overcome the objections.
I’m looking forward to the results.
Learn more by reading the MIC press release below.
IRVINE, Calif., July 31, 2019 – The Motorcycle Industry Council is launching a broad, long-term initiative to bring more people into the world of motorcycling, the MIC board of directors announced today.
“It’s clear the industry needs to reach and inspire new customers. While many of us, with our individual businesses, have taken steps to grow ridership, we also should be working together, and the MIC wants to help make that happen,” said Paul Vitrano, MIC board chair and senior assistant general counsel at Indian Motorcycle and Polaris Inc. “To help us fully understand the barriers to entry, and to create an inclusive strategic plan to conquer those barriers that will be available to all stakeholders, we have partnered with a team of researchers and strategists to bring fresh perspectives to this challenge and opportunity.”
Following a months-long competitive search, the MIC hired consulting firm Centauric LLC to lead the first phase of this initiative. “Centauric has committed an impressive multi-disciplinary team of behavioral scientists, engineers, and business consultants, and takes a unique approach to problem-solving. We are excited to be working with them on this critical initiative,” Vitrano said.
With the MIC’s in-depth library of primary industry research as a starting point, Centauric has begun conducting secondary and additional primary research that, after a series of ideation and solution labs involving a mix of industry stakeholders, will lead to a strategic plan. The plan will be presented at the MIC’s American International Motorcycle Expo Presented by Nationwide in September in Columbus, Ohio.
“This is not designed to be a quick fix, nor is it just about sales,” said Chuck Boderman, MIC vice-chair, and vice president, motorcycle division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “It’s about showing people how motorcycles can fit into and enrich their lives, no matter where they live, what they do, what their hobbies are, or how old or young they are. This will take time, so we are committed to building a campaign that takes the long view. We strongly encourage the entire industry to attend AIMExpo to learn more about the program, and how united as one, we can attract new riders to motorcycling.”
To register to attend AIMExpo presented by Nationwide, September 26-29, click here.
The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers, distributors, dealers and retailers of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, ROVs, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts, accessories and related goods and services, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.
The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at mic.org.
