Best Motorcycling States
In the following report, Progressive Insurance reveals states with the best riding to help bikers maximize their cruising time
From Arizona’s Grand Canyon to New York’s Catskill Mountains, all 50 states offer unique, great places to ride.
And more riders are hitting the road to take advantage of those scenic and thrilling rides: motorcycle and scooter sales rose 10.5 percent through the first quarter of 2011, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council.
So whether you’re a newbie or a lifelong biker, you can plan your next trip with this list of the best states to ride, courtesy of Progressive Insurance, the #1 insurer of motorcycles in the U.S.:
Progressive’s list of best states to ride:
1. Florida
2. Georgia
3. Arizona
4. South Carolina
5. Kansas
6. Mississippi
7. Oklahoma
8. Arkansas
9. North Carolina
10. Iowa
11. Alabama
12. Texas
13. New Mexico/West Virginia (tie)
14. Nebraska
15. Tennessee
16. Hawaii
17. Kentucky
18. Louisiana
19. Ohio
20. Utah
Dan Kamionkowski (Motorcycle Product Manager at Progressive) says: “American riding is as diverse as American riders-from the city rider to the country cruiser. Some states that you may consider obvious good places to ride were not included in the top 20 when all data were taken into account-but they’re still great options.”
For example:
Where the sun is always shining – While California ranks in the top 10 (#6) for number of good riding days, The Golden State didn’t make the top 20 due to higher accident frequency, population density, and gas prices; and low percentage of smoother riding roadways.
Aloha spirit – While the weather in Hawaii offers bikers the highest number of good riding days, it’s edged out of the top 10 in part due to its low percentage of smoother riding roadways and high population density.
Escape the big city – New York has many great rides but one reason it’s not in the overall top 20 is because of New York City’s high population density. New York makes it into the top 10 (#6, up from #44) if New York City is removed from the population density data.
Dan Kamionkowski says: “Based on our experience, we pulled together what we consider to be important data to help bikers make better riding decisions. It’s not the end-all-be-all list of variables, for sure, since preferences vary from rider to rider, but we hope it will help riders plan their next road trip.”
Progressive looked at the following data to determine its list of best states to ride:
- number of good riding days (based on temperature and precipitation);
- likelihood of getting into a motorcycle crash;
- percentage of smoother riding roadways;
- population density; and
- average price for a gallon of regular gasoline
State Break Down:
Most number of good riding days
1. Hawaii
2. Florida
3.Arizona
4. Texas
5. Louisana
Lowest likelihood of getting into a motorcycle crash
1. Hawaii
2. Mississippi
3. Florida
4. Arizona
5. South Carolina
Highest percentage of smoother riding roadways
1. North Dakota
2. Georgia
3. Florida
4. Alaska
5. Kansas
Lowest average price for a gallon of regular gasoline
1. Wyoming
2. Montana
3. Colorado
4. Utah
5. South Carolina
Lowest population density
1. Alaska
2. Wyoming
3. Montana
4. North Dakota
5. South Dakota
Dan Kamionkowski says: “As the number one motorcycle insurer in the country, we want to help bikers get the most out of their time on the road. We hope this list offers them insight before they go full throttle on their next excursion.”
