Don’t be surprised if you see more motorcyclists in Elk and Cameron counties and fewer of them in McKean and Potter counties.
From 2010-16, motorcycle registrations have risen in Cameron and Elk counties by 6.5 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively, while McKean and Potter counties saw 8 percent and 6.5 percent decreases, respectively, according to information compiled by The Center for Rural Pennsylvania.
Overall, Pennsylvania’s motorcycle registrations decreased slightly –– by 0.2 percent –– statewide.
For 2016, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania reported that McKean County had 1,808 registered motorcycles, or 43.2 per 1,000 residents; Potter County, 828 or 49 percent; Cameron County, 344 or 73.6 percent; and 1,848 or 60.6 percent in Elk County.
“I am surprised that there are not as many motorcycles as I thought in (McKean County). But it’s certainly something to think about,” said Zachary Ball, legislative coordinator for Kinzua Chapter of ABATE — Alliance of Bikers Toward Education.
Fran Bottone, sales manager for 6-V Motorsports on Seaward Avenue in Bradford, figures that McKean County’s 43.2 registered motorcycles per 1,000 residents is likely driven by the economy.
“I can tell you that motorcycle riding appears to be a popular pastime and that the scenic areas within the counties of District 2 (including the four-county region) certainly match up well with such an activity,” Pennsylvania Department of Transportation press officer Marla Fannin said.
A big segment of the population in the last five or six years is women riding motorcycles, especially street bikes, Bottone said.
Christine Caldara Piatos, communications manager of The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, pointed to a 2007 report from the Harley Davidson Co. that stated the median age of Harley motorcycle owners was 47 years old. That same year, Sports Rider Magazine reported that the median age for motorcycle enthusiasts was 43 years, and they were typically married, college graduates who earned well over $75,000 a year.
“Fast forward to 2014, where a membership survey of the American Motorcycle Association indicated that, on average, its members were 48 years old and had a riding experience of 26 years,” Piatos said. “Also, 95 percent of members were male and 5 percent were female. On average, members had household incomes of $85,300.”
Those demographics aside, no matter the time of year –– as long as the weather holds out –– motorcyclists will get out and ride, Ball said.
Ball recommends motorcyclists attend a safety course, which takes place at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
“PennDOT always encourages riders to practice the highest level of safety possible, including use of a U.S. DOT-approved helmet,” Fannin said. “PennDOT also emphasizes the importance of motorists to watch for motorcycles and to operate their vehicles safely when around motorcycles.”
