Features
Related Photos
-
Garron Marsh
Discussion
Bikers a boon for local economy
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — In the past, bikers could be known as a rough lot, and often, their presence in a town may not have been all that welcome.
But times have changed.
Today’s biker might be a doctor, an accountant or a local pastor. And these modern groups of motorcycle enthusiasts are part of a growing financial boom in the area.
According to Riding South magazine, as of June 2006, there were 100,974 registered motorcycles in Oklahoma.
Combine Oklahoma’s numbers with those in Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Missouri, Kansas and Louisiana, and that adds up to a regional motorcycle community that is more than 800,000 strong.
For many business owners, that means money. From the bikes themselves, to equipment, gas, food, clothing and lodging, the financial gain of being biker-friendly can bring big bucks.
Tahlequah resident Dr. Harry House is a biker himself, and member of the local Priesthood Motorcycle Ministry.
House has seen firsthand some of the crowds that motorcycle events can draw. But does it mean money for the local economy?
“I’m sure it does,” said House. “There’s the rally [Quicksilver Motorcycle Rally] that comes through town. I think in the past, there’s been around 3,000 to 4,000 bikes come in for that.”
House has done plenty of his own traveling with the Priesthood.
“We haven’t done much this year, but during one of our bigger ministries, we put in as much as 24,000 miles on our bikes,” he said.
According to House, the region’s scenery makes for a prime riding destination.
“The bikers around here love to ride the mountains, so they head east,” House said. “Eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas are a great ‘scooter place’ – anything that curves really, around here Highway 10 is real big.”
But it isn’t just the travel that brings an economic boost, regular maintenance and upkeep are another source of revenue for many local businesses.
“I’d think the average biker probably spends a couple of thousand a year on his bike,” said House.
Like House, Tahlequah resident Steve Kirkpatrick has spent plenty of time traveling by bike.
“I’ve ridden a lot, probably more in the past,” said Kirkpatrick. “I rode to Sturgis [S.D.] in ‘99, and I’ve been to the Fayetteville [Ark.] Bikes, Blues and Barbecue two or three times, and I’ve done the Pawhuska rally about three times.”
For business owners along the way, riders like Kirkpatrick and House mean income from stays in hotels, visits to restaurants and the ever-necessary fuel stops.
“I spent a substantial amount customizing the Softail,” Kirkpatrick said with a laugh. “Then I probably have to spend a few hundred a year on maintenance.”
Not to mention the necessary gear.
“You’ve got to have leather if you’re going to ride in the winter,” said Kirkpatrick. “Or as bikers call it, ‘leather weather.’”
But Kirkpatrick can see both sides of the coin. As a local business owner, he has observed the business that bikers can bring to an area.
“We’ll see groups come through a few times during the season,” Kirkpatrick said. “We always get some drive by bikers during the summer months.
A recent article by Motorcycle Magazine notes that many of today’s bikers have “sophisticated tastes – and the spending power to indulge them.”
For the business owners who choose to be biker-friendly, it very likely means cash in their pocket and in their local community.
- Features
-
-
Family planning
Planning a family – or rather, planning when not to have children – can be one of the most difficult and daunting tasks a couple, or individual, faces today.
-
Law officers preparing for holiday weekend
People in and around Tahlequah on the Labor Day weekend can expect to see a large number of city, county and state law enforcement officers sharing the streets.
-
Kids at Farmers’ Market learn to identify, choose fruits, veggies
Standing among canopies selling homegrown fruits and vegetables, wearing her special teaching apron and smile, Heather Winn looked around the Farmers’ Market for children.
-
Condren gives Presbyterians Quaker touch
At one time or another, most people look back over the path of their lives and see how each decision brought them to where they are today. And that ultimate destination is often not the one they planned.
Maybe, instead, it’s where God planned. -
Coburn: Time to return to core values
The country is at a crossroads and needs to get back to its core values, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn said Friday.
-
Warmer weather may be here to stay
After experiencing one of the warmest summers on record, many area residents who previously may have balked at the thought of climate change may be singing a different tune.
-
No bad eggs here, but still be careful
Learn more
You can check out the current recall status of any type of food, in Oklahoma or nationwide, by checking out the government website www.foodsafety.gov. The site also has tips on safe handling and preparation of various types of food. -
I-35 officials focus on construction projects
Some delays have occurred.
-
Project will eliminate parking spaces, create ‘green space’
In April 2009, city voters approved a half-cent city sales tax proposal that was expected to generate around $8 million.
-
‘Building One Fire’: Culture through art
Since the beginning of time, people have gained a better understanding of different cultures through art.
- More Features Headlines
-
