The Iowa Department of Transportation is in the process of preparing an update to the 1989 Iowa state trail plan. This update, known as Iowa Trails 2000, will serve as a resource document for trail implementers throughout the state. A number of types of trail user groups, including off-highway vehicle (OHV) users, have been considered in this trail planning effort. In order to better understand the use characteristics, needs and expectations of OHV users, the project Technical Advisory Committee decided that a survey of OHV users should be conducted in conjunction with the Iowa Trails 2000 process. The intent of the survey was not to represent a statistically valid survey sample; rather, the survey responses were intended to give state agencies a general understanding of what the needs and wants of OHV users are.

The Iowa Department of Transportation and Department of Natural Resources, in conjunction with SRF Consulting Group, Inc., designed the survey form. Survey questions requested information on OHV ownership, trail use, desired trail amenities and qualities. This survey was mailed to 800 OHV owners in January, 2000. The mailing list for survey distribution was compiled from OHV and snowmobile user lists supplied by the OHV representative on the Technical Advisory Committee.

Approximately half (396) of the surveys were returned to the Iowa Department of Transportation prior to April 1, 2000. Initial review of the survey responses received identified that 184 of the survey respondents had misread the instructions on two or more key questions, which would have impacted tabulation of responses to those questions. Therefore, those surveys were not tabulated. The data from the remaining 212 surveys was input into a Microsoft Access database. Response frequencies, percentages and ranges were calculated and are summarized below.

The many types of off-highway vehicles have a wide variety of uses. The type of vehicle and its use will have an impact on the number and type of facilities that the state of Iowa may consider developing. To assist the state in the possible development of additional facilities, OHV owners were asked questions regarding their vehicles and use. Responses were received from the following survey questions.

Survey Question 1: What type(s) of motorized off-highway vehicle (OHV) do you own (check all that apply)?

*Percentage is calculated based on a total of 313 vehicles. Some respondents had more than one OHV.

Survey Question 2: Is your OHV registered?

*Percentage is calculated based on a total of 212 surveys.

The number of respondents that indicated their vehicles were registered is significantly above the national average. It is likely that the distribution of the survey is responsible for this result.

Survey Question 3: How do you use your OHV?

*Percentage is calculated based on 360 responses. Some respondents selected more than one type of use for their vehicle.

For respondents that selected "other," a blank space was provided so that the respondent could indicate what other purpose their OHV was used for. The six respondents noted that they used their OHV for landscape work, OHV park riding, trail riding, vacation/pleasure, emergencies and checking on other farms and livestock.

It should be noted that four surveys, which were not tabulated in the above table, were turned in that selected "work" as the sole use of their vehicle. These surveys were not included in the final selection of 212 surveys because they did not respond to the rest of the survey since it did not apply to them.

Survey Question 4: Do you generally go riding with: family, friends or alone?

*Percentage is calculated based on 356 responses. Some of the 212 surveys that were used in tabulating results had more than one of the options selected.

Survey Question 5: Are you a member of an OHV club?

*Percentage is calculated based on 212 surveys evaluated.

The majority of OHV owners have a snowmobile or an ATV that is registered with the state. Most of these owners use their vehicles for pleasure riding or farming. The registration percentage appears to be high. This may be a reflection on the fact that the survey was circulated to club members. These figures should be validated with some contact with enforcement personnel or others associated with the sport before they are used to project the total OHV population in Iowa.

Owners of OHVs generally do not ride alone; they usually ride with friends or family. In many cases, individuals own multiple vehicles to facilitate this activity. With 313 vehicles owned by 212 respondents, it shows that nearly half of the enthusiasts own more than one machine. This can result from an individual owning a snowmobile for the winter activities and another OHV for the summer, or a family owning two or more of the same type of vehicle for family outings.

The data show that a majority of owners belong to an OHV club. However, this may be more reflective of the distribution process rather than the actual club membership levels. In most other states, club membership penetration is closer to 20 percent to 30 percent. Further analysis may be necessary to validate this information. Some simple enthusiast interviews at the riding areas may provide the necessary information.

There are many factors that influence where an OHV owner may choose to ride his or her vehicle. Questions regarding these factors are summarized below.

Survey Question 6: Do you generally ride (rate 1 (most frequent), 2, 3, 4 (least frequent): on your own land, in road right-of-way, on other private land, or on designated OHV trails?

It should be noted that some of the surveys were not completely filled in. For example, some respondents ranked only two of the four choices and left the other two options blank. Some respondents ranked everything as "1". As a result, the total for each number does not equal 212. Percentages were calculated based on the total number of responses for each frequency level (e.g., "1", "2", etc.).

The results indicated that 67 percent of the respondents ride, most frequently, in road rights-of-way (probably snowmobiles in winter) or in areas with designated trails, with trails representing the largest category, by far. Looking at the chart, one can see that riding on trails is about double any other categories. This clearly points out the need for public trails in the state to satisfy the demand.

Question 7: What factors determine what OHV trail or riding area you use? (Rate 1 (most) – 6 (least) in order of importance)

It should be noted that some of the surveys were not completely filled in. For example, some respondents ranked only some of the seven choices and left the other options blank. Some respondents ranked everything as "1." As a result, the total for each number does not equal 212. Percentages were calculated based on the total number of responses for each frequency level (e.g., "1", "2", etc.).

The survey results indicate that the length of the trail and the distance from home influence the selection of a place to ride about equally. One can assume that as available trails increase, the attraction increases; and as distance from home increases, the attraction decreases. Scenery ranks next followed by connections between points. Winter ice riding ranks at the bottom but that is probably an indication of numbers of people who participate and not the desirability of the activity.

Question 8: How far are you willing to travel to use a designated OHV trail that provides one day’s riding experience?

*Percentage is calculated based on 212 surveys evaluated.

About 60 percent of the respondents are willing to travel up to 2 hours to reach desirable areas. This would indicate that riding areas that are expected to adequately serve population centers should be located within a two-hour drive of the area being served. Distances can probably be increased if the available trail network is increased. Travel distances of over 5 hours are probably reflective of travel out of Iowa.

A few of the OHV clubs in Iowa run OHV parks that are open to the public. Respondents were asked how often they visited these facilities. They were also asked which facility they preferred and which facility they liked the least. Their responses are listed below.

Question 15: Have you visited any of the OHV areas operated by local clubs and open to the public?

*The total number of responses for each park varies slightly because some respondents were not consistent in filling in an answer for each park. For example, some individuals did not fill in a response for one park, but did for the other three; other respondents only filled in an answer for one park. As a result, percentage was calculated by adding the total responses for each park individually. For example, 177 respondents indicated some answer for Bluff Creek Park. The percentage of those that visited the park weekly was calculated by dividing 5 (number of responses) by 177 (total number of responses received for that park).

**Percentage of "No Answer" was calculated by dividing the number of responses (31) by the total number of surveys evaluated (212).

Many of those that answered this question inserted their local trail system as a place that they used on a regular basis.

At least 72 percent of all respondents indicated that they either did not use any of the areas or were not aware of them. Since the areas are primarily motorcycle and ATV areas, snowmobilers would not be expected to use these areas. Because the survey includes snowmobilers, an attempt should be made to segregate answers to these questions to focus on motocross and ATV users.

Question 15: Which area do you prefer? Why?

*Percentage is calculated by dividing the number of responses by 181, the number of people that answered at least a portion of the first part of Question 15 (have you visited any of the OHV areas operated by local clubs and open to the public?).

**Some respondents put their local trail systems or an area that they visited out of state as the area most preferred. Because these responses did not match the parks listed above, they were tabulated as "No Answer." It should be noted that a majority of respondents did not answer this part of Question 15.

Bluff Creek OHV Park was the area most preferred. This location was preferred to the other riding areas because of its size and variety of trails.

Question 15: Which area do you like the least? Why?

*Percentage is calculated by dividing the number of responses by 181, the number of people that answered at least a portion of the first part of Question 15 (have you visited any of the OHV areas operated by local clubs and open to the public?).

**Some respondents put all four areas or their local trail system as the area least preferred. Because these responses did not match the parks listed above, they were tabulated as "No Answer." It should be noted that a majority of respondents did not answer this part of Question 15.

Ely OHV Park was the area least preferred. Most of the 11 respondents who indicated that this was the park that they liked the least stated that ruts left by trucks ruined the course for ATVs and trail bikes.

Questions regarding out-of-state travel by OHV owners were asked in the survey. The results of the survey follow.

*Percentage is calculated based on 151 respondents who indicated that they owned a snowmobile. The total percentage exceeds 100 percent because a few individuals that did not own a snowmobile had traveled out of state to ride one while on vacation or visiting relatives.

Question 9a: Which states do you go to?

*Percentage is based on the 151 respondents that indicated that they travel out of state to snowmobile. Because respondents could select more than one state, the total percentage exceeds 100 percent.

**For those respondents that selected "other", the following chart highlights the locations that were visited.

Question 9a: Why did you travel to another state for snowmobiling?

A majority of those that responded to this question indicated that the lack of a trail system and lack of adequate snowfall were why they chose to travel out of state. Other responses included the following:

The attraction of better trails, more snow, grooming and a positive management attitude clearly influence snowmobilers. Nothing can be done about the amount of snow available in Iowa, but improved management of the available snow can help keep people (and dollars) in the state.

Question 9b: Do you go to other states for ATV/trail bike trail use?

*Percentage is calculated based on 124 surveys in which owners indicated that they owned at least one of the following: ATV, trail bike, dual sport or other.

Question 9b: Which states do you go to?

*Percentage is based on the 66 respondents that indicated that they travel out of state to use their ATVs. Because respondents could select more than one state, the total percentage exceeds 100 percent.

**For those respondents that selected "other", the following chart highlights the locations that were visited.

Question 9b: Why did you travel to another state?

A majority of those that responded to this question indicated that the lack of a trail system and riding areas forced them out of state. Other responses included the following:

As with snowmobilers, more trails, better scenery, larger areas and a variety of terrain attract ATV riders. These are the types of characteristics that should be considered when areas are reviewed for acquisition. Providing a variety of terrain and scenery significantly increases the rider experience. While mine dumps and gravel pits may satisfy some of the riders, they do not attract the long-term family type riding that is desired.

Question 10: When you go riding, how many days are spent on an average trip?

*Percentage is calculated based on 212 surveys evaluated.

It appears that most out-of-state trips occur over weekends, holidays or extended vacations. This is to be expected since most day use will occur close to home.

There are a number of characteristics that can make a trail desirable for a rider. The following questions attempted to determine what characteristics were most important to OHV owners.

Question 11: What is the minimum trail length you feel is needed for an enjoyable OHV facility? (snowmobile)

*Percentage is calculated based on a total of 154 responses to this part of the question. Some respondents that did not own snowmobiles marked an answer for this question; as a result there are 154 responses rather than 151.

Question 11: What is the minimum trail length you feel is needed for an enjoyable OHV facility? (ATV/Trail Bike)

*Percentage is calculated based on a total of 107 responses to this part of the question.

Question 12: What factors make an OHV course challenging?

*Percentage is calculated based on 212 surveys evaluated. Respondents could select more than one answer so the total percentage exceeds 100 percent.

**A majority of those that responded "other" to this question indicated that scenery and hills made a course challenging. It should be noted that many respondents stated that a challenge was not what they were looking for in a trail facility. Responses included the following: