Motorcycle Rally Research Articles

Enhancing wellbeing: designing to enable desired narratives

Recent research has looked at how products and services can enable positive narratives about those who use them and at the beneficial impact that this has on wellbeing. To date this work has focused on how users’ desired life-narratives can be identified from the products and services they most cherish and which add the greatest value to their lives. This paper reports an exploratory study aimed at taking the work to the next stage - starting with a desired set of narratives and designing a product or service that enables them. A user (n = 1) worked with the research team, using an autoethnographic approach, to identify his desired life narratives. He then designed an experience – in this case a motorcycle rally – to enable a selection of these narratives. It was concluded that the outcomes suggest that it is possible to design for a set of desired narratives. However, challenges remain in terms of making the approach scalable. A multistage approach to meeting these is outlined.

Widespread Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Transmission Among Attendees at a Large Motorcycle Rally and their Contacts, 30 US Jurisdictions, August-September, 2020.

The 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle rally resulted in widespread transmission of SARS-CoV-2 across the United States. At least 649 COVID-19 cases were identified, including secondary and tertiary spread to close contacts. To limit transmission, persons attending events should wear masks and practice physical distancing. Persons with a known exposure should quarantine and obtain COVID-19 testing.

The contagion externality of a superspreading event: The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and COVID-19.

Large in‐person gatherings of travelers who do not socially distance are classified as the “highest risk” for COVID‐19 spread by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). From August 7–16, 2020, nearly 500,000 motorcycle enthusiasts converged on Sturgis, South Dakota for its annual rally in an environment without mask‐wearing requirements or other mitigating policies. This study is the first to explore this event's public health impacts. First, using anonymized cell phone data, we document that foot traffic at restaurants/bars, retail establishments, and entertainment venues rose substantially at event locations. Stay‐at‐home behavior among local residents fell. Second, using a synthetic control approach, we find that the COVID‐19 case rate increased substantially in Meade County and in the state of South Dakota in the month following the Rally. Finally, using a difference‐in‐differences model to assess nationwide spread, we find that following the Sturgis event, counties outside of South Dakota that contributed the highest inflows of rally attendees experienced a 6.4–12.5% increase in COVID‐19 cases relative to counties without inflows. Our findings highlight that local policy decisions assessing the tradeoff between local economic benefits and COVID‐19 health costs will not be socially optimal in the presence of large contagion externalities.

COVID-19 Outbreak Associated with a 10-Day Motorcycle Rally in a Neighboring State - Minnesota, August-September 2020.

During August 7-16, 2020, a motorcycle rally was held in western South Dakota that attracted approximately 460,000 persons from across the United States to numerous indoor and outdoor events over a 10-day period. During August-September 2020, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) investigated a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak associated with the rally in Minnesota residents. Fifty-one primary event-associated cases were identified, and 35 secondary or tertiary cases occurred among household, social, and workplace contacts, for a total of 86 cases; four patients were hospitalized, and one died. Approximately one third (34%) of 87 counties in Minnesota had at least one primary, secondary, or tertiary case associated with this rally. Genomic sequencing supported the associations with the motorcycle rally. These findings support current recommendations for mask use, physical distancing, reducing the number of attendees at gatherings, isolation for patients with COVID-19, and quarantine for close contacts to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (1). Furthermore, although these findings did not capture the impact of the motorcycle rally on residents of other states, they demonstrate the rationale for consistent mitigation measures across states.

The Contagion Externality of a Superspreading Event: The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Covid-19

Large in-person gatherings without social distancing and with individuals who have traveled outside the local area are classified as the "highest risk" for COVID-19 spread by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Between August 7 and August 16, 2020, nearly 500,000 motorcycle enthusiasts converged on Sturgis, South Dakota for its annual motorcycle rally. Large crowds, coupled with minimal mask-wearing and social distancing by attendees, raised concerns that this event could serve as a COVID-19 "super-spreader." This study is the first to explore the impact of this event on social distancing and the spread of COVID-19.First, using anonymized cell phone data from SafeGraph, Inc. we document that (i) smartphone pings from non-residents, and (ii) foot traffic at restaurants and bars, retail establishments, entertainment venues, hotels and campgrounds each rose substantially in the census block groups hosting Sturgis rally events. Stay-at-home behavior among local residents, as measured by median hours spent at home, fell.Second, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a synthetic control approach, we show that by September 2, a month following the onset of the Rally, COVID-19 cases increased by approximately 6 to 7 cases per 1,000 population in its home county of Meade. Finally, difference-in-differences (dose response) estimates show that following the Sturgis event, counties that contributed the highest inflows of rally attendees experienced a 7.0 to 12.5 percent increase in COVID-19 cases relative to counties that did not contribute inflows. Descriptive evidence suggests these effects may be muted in states with stricter mitigation policies (i.e., restrictions on bar/restaurant openings, mask-wearing mandates). We conclude that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally generated public health costs of approximately $12.2 billion.

Varying behavioral responses of wildlife to motorcycle traffic

Roads are a pervasive feature across the U.S., and traffic and its associated noise has significant impacts on wildlife. However, we know little about the effect of motorcycle traffic and the potential for prolonged response of animals to loud and periodic traffic disturbances. We studied the behavioral response of multiple species in Devils Tower National Monument to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which raised median A-weighted sound levels by more than 20 dB for 7 days. Different taxa demonstrated different responses to the event, which we categorized into three different patterns of behavioral shifts: weak evidence of a response, temporary response during the rally, and a sustained response that lasted after the rally. We found little evidence that western wood-pewee (Contopus sordidulus) vocal activity, our behavioral metric, was affected by the rally. Activity patterns of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) shifted during the rally, and deer reverted to pre-rally activity patterns when motorcycle activity declined. The diversity of bat species active was also lower during the rally, and the diversity of species active remained low several weeks after the rally. Our observations suggest that most species shifted their behavior to avoid motorcycle traffic but the ability to return to pre-disturbance behavioral patterns varied. Examining responses to traffic activity and noise across a broad array of species can identify relative sensitivity to such disturbances and infer community-level impacts, helping to inform strategies to reduce effects or plan for recovery.

Can Planned Traffic Patterns Improve Survival Among the Injured During Mass Casualty Motorcycle Rallies?

BackgroundMass casualty events are infrequent and create an abrupt surge of patients requiring emergency medical services within a brief period. We hypothesize that implementation of a controlled “traffic loop” pattern during a planned high-volume motorcycle rally could improve overall mortality and impact patient outcomes. Materials and MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of all motorcycle-related injuries during the city's annual motorcycle rally over a 4-y period. Comparative analysis was completed between those injured during “nontraffic loop” hours versus the city's scheduled 23-mile, 3-d “traffic loop” pattern. The two groups were compared for age, gender, injuries, Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale, length of stay, ventilator-free days, and mortality. The primary outcome was mortality. ResultsA total of 139 patients were included (120 nonloop and 19 loop). Mean (standard deviation) age was 36.1 (11.2) y and 72.1% were male. Both groups were equivalent in age, gender, Injury Severity Score, and Glasgow Coma Scale. Traffic loop patients required longer intensive care unit length of stay, (median = 9.0, range: 1-49 d), ventilator days (median = 29.5), (range: 1-49 d) and experienced abdominal trauma (P = 0.002). Emergency medical services transport times during loop hours had shorter response times than the nonloop injury group (7.79 ± 5.2 min and 13.22 ± 14.01 min (P = 0.049). No deaths occurred during the city's scheduled traffic loop (0 versus 22, P = 0.0447). ConclusionsControlled traffic patterns during high-volume city gatherings can improve overall mortality and morbidity. Regional trauma system preparedness with field triage guidelines and coordinated trauma care is warranted to effectively care for the injured.

The Vicious Cycle of Motorcycle Rally Casualties: A Single Center's Experience

<i>The Vicious Cycle of Motorcycle Rally Casualties: A Single Center's Experience</i>

Determinants of Spending by Motorcycle Rally Visitors

The purpose of this study was to explore the determinants of festival spending by estimating expenditure models. This study analyzed the impact of sociodemographic and travel context factors on aggregated and disaggregated event expenditures by the visitors who attended the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held in Sturgis, South Dakota. The results indicated that length of stay and income had a significantly positive effect on the total on-site expenditures and accommodation spending. Length of stay and past experience (among travel context variables) as well as age, income, and gender (among sociodemographic factors) had significant relationships with the on-site expenditure categories. Detailed discussions and implications were provided, and study limitations and recommendations for future studies were discussed.

427 Implementation of a “Safety Bundle” at a Large Annual Motorcycle Rally: Effect on Crash-Related Trauma Activations, Intracranial Injuries, and Deaths

427 Implementation of a “Safety Bundle” at a Large Annual Motorcycle Rally: Effect on Crash-Related Trauma Activations, Intracranial Injuries, and Deaths

The Commodification of Spectacle: Spectators, Sponsors and the Outlaw Biker Diegesis at Sturgis

This article conceptualizes economies of spectatorship through a case study of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (SMR). Economies of spectatorship produce spectacular diegeses as commodities sold to spectators and sponsors. They develop through a dialectical process of progressive decontextualization as their diegeses are cross-marketed with discrepant products and services to reach new markets. Progressive decontextualization leads to diegetic incoherence that threatens the realization of profit. As an economy of spectatorship, the SMR produced an outlaw biker themed diegesis replete with vicarious action and consumable character gambles. The SMR progressively decontextualized as it cross-marketed its outlaw diegesis with establishment corporate, religious and political themes. The resulting diegetic incoherence threatened profits and required the SMR’s producers to make significant investments in order to stabilize its flow of spectators and sponsors. Conceptualizing such inherently negating processes is critical to understanding the commodification of spectacle in mature capitalism.

Bikers, Aliens, And Movie Stars: Comparing The Economic Impact Of Special Events

&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"&gt;This paper compares the economic impact of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"&gt;the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Roswell UFO Festival, and the Sundance Film Festival in Park City.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"&gt; &lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;The three cities and special events are evaluated based on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"&gt;information relating to population, income, home valuation, event estimates for number of visitors and expenditures, and city sales tax information.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Park City is the leader in population growth, household income growth, and median home value growth for the years 2000-2007.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;In fact, population growth for Roswell and Sturgis is on the decline despite rising median household income and home valuations.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;Participation and dollar value of the event is clearly dominated by the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (420,000 annual participants generating $130 million in expenditures), followed by the Sundance Film Festival (39,000 annual participants generating $60 million in expenditures), and the Roswell UFO Festival (10,000 annual participants generating $1.25 million). &lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;The results of this study clearly imply the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is integral to the economic healthy of the region, the Sundance Film Festival is an important and growing special event for the U.S. film industry, and the Roswell UFO Festival helps the city maintain a unique identity that might not otherwise exist.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;