1914

• Motorcycle Manufacturers Association is incorporated in New York City.

1917

• The Motorcycle Manufacturers Association is renamed the Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association (M&ATA).

1924

• M&ATA launches the American Motorcycle Association; eventually, it becomes the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA).

1965

• The Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association (M&ATA) changes its name to Motorcycle, Scooter and Allied Trades Association (MS&ATA).

1969

• The Motorcycle Industry Council is formed by merger of the MS&ATA and the Motorcycle Safety Council (a California organization) and becomes formally known as “the MIC.”

1970

• MIC offices move from Worthington, Ohio to Washington, D.C.
• Safety and Education Committee is established.

1972

• The Motorcycle Industry Council Safety and Education Foundation (MICSEF) is established.

1973

• The MICSEF name changes to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and becomes a separate not-for-profit corporation.
• MIC focuses on potential EPA motorcycle emissions regulations.

1974

• MIC’s Manufacturers Shipment Reporting System is introduced as the first industry statistics program based on wholesale sales.
• The MIC enters into its first trade show endorsement contract with Dealernews.

1975

• MIC Executive Offices move to Newport Beach, California; Government Relations Office remains in Washington, D.C.
• MIC survey of motorcycle ownership and usage conducted by Gallup.

1976

• MIC’s Land Use Program is initiated to advocate access and responsible use of off-highway vehicles on public lands.

1977

• The first MIC Motorcycle Statistical Annual is published.

1978

• The first federal EPA on-highway motorcycle exhaust emissions standards go into effect.
• The EPA proposes motorcycle sound regulations (adopted in 1981, effective in 1983).

1979

• MIC hires staff for its Land Use Workshop.
• The “Ride Aware, Show You Care” public relations program is initiated.

1980

• First Off-Highway Motorcycle Stationary Sound Test Manual is published to provide land managers with a tool for the effective and economical enforcement of in-use OHM sound levels.

1986

• MIC forms the Image Enhancement Committee, which later becomes “Discover Today’s Motorcycling,” to address public image and stimulate industry expansion.

1987

• Sen. John Danforth (R-MO) introduces legislation in Congress to regulate “superbikes”; the bill is subsequently abandoned following meetings with the MIC and rider groups.

1988

• DTM sponsors the Van Buren Transcon, a cross-country ride by four female motorcyclists, which kicks off in New York City and ends with a grand finale rally in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park.

1989

• Rider Support Program is created in the Government Relations Office to support user organizations in legislative activities, trail development and maintenance, rider safety, and noise control.

1991

• MIC begins to distribute the MIC Retail Sales Report to members.
• MIC serves as a key force behind the enactment of the federal Recreational Trails Program, which provides millions of dollars to states for motorized trails projects from federal gas taxes paid on fuel used in off-highway vehicles.

1992

• MIC launches the RightRider campaign in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to promote environmental responsibility.

1994

• The California Desert Protection Act is enacted, prompting an MIC information campaign that includes distributing poster maps of California OHV riding areas to all California dealers to show the abundance of OHV recreation opportunities still available.

1995

• MIC regularly places annual motorcycle product segments on “Today Show” and generates major print placements promoting motorcycling.

1997

• For the first time, MIC membership exceeds 200 member companies.
• BankCard Processing Program is launched.
• The DTM “Superdinner,” hosted at World Superbike race in Monterey, California, attracts major mainstream media.

1998

• DTM is instrumental in creating and promoting “The Art of the Motorcycle,” a milestone exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, and generates hundreds of positive mainstream placements.

1999

• The first annual MIC Communications Symposium takes place in Costa Mesa, California.

2000

• MIC forms Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA) to preserve and expand motorized recreation opportunities on public and private lands.
• MIC membership exceeds 300 member companies for the first time.
• This year marks the opening of the first Hatfield-McCoy (WV) trails, a system first conceived and spearheaded by the MIC in 1990.

2001

• Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) addresses the MIC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis on public land access.
• DTM helps to bring 400 media on press day to “The Art of the Motorcycle” Guggenheim exhibit inside The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

2002

• DTM creates, sponsors and hosts the Rockefeller Center Motorcycle Show in New York City, gaining coverage on the “Today Show,” People magazine and many other mainstream news outlets.

2004

• DTM creates, sponsors and hosts the second Rockefeller Center Motorcycle show, securing another “Today Show” segment with vocalist Lyle Lovett serving as spokesperson.

2005

• Powersports Standard Protocol (PSP) specifications are introduced.

2006

• For-profit PSP TransStand, an MIC wholly-owned subsidiary, is formed.
• DTM sponsors Macy’s Passport fashion shows, putting running motorcycles on the runways in San Francisco and Santa Monica for the first time.

2008

• MIC initiates creation of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus, a bipartisan group of members of Congress committed to improving and advancing the safety of motorcyclists. The Caucus is initially co-chaired by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), who continues as co-chair.
• DTM hosts media at the inaugural MotoGP race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

2009

• MIC introduces the Motorcycle Tire Sales Report.
• HelmetCheck.org is launched.
• The new SAE stationary on-highway motorcycle sound test procedure (SAE J2825), which was developed by MIC in partnership with SAE International, is published.

2010

• The successful “Revive Your Ride!” sweepstakes campaign is created and funded by Aftermarket/Allied Trades Committee to build floor traffic for dealers.
• DTM begins hosting annual VIP-style, MSF Basic RiderCourses™ for Manhattan media and key influencers, creating new riders out of journalists and tastemakers.

2011

• MIC’s extensive efforts, including the generation of over a million messages to Congress, help to end the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act’s unintentional “lead ban” on youth ATVs and dirt bikes.
• 501(c)(3) Right Rider Access Fund (RRAF) is established.
• MIC partners with the Western Governors’ Association and the Outdoor Industry Association to undertake a comprehensive study of the economic impact of outdoor recreation across the U.S.

2012

• Board approves non-voting membership class for retailers.

2013

• DTM hosts media at the inaugural MotoGP race in Austin, Texas.
• MIC Communications team supports the inaugural AIMExpo industry trade show in Orlando focusing on New York media.
• First annual Motorcycle Consumer Experience study is conducted.

2014

• MIC introduces the Model Attribute Matrix, a subscription-based compilation of powersports model specifications.
• MIC acquires PowerLily, the powersports industry’s women’s professional organization with over 300 members.
• First annual MIC Capitol Hill Fly-in is held in Washington, DC.

2015

• MIC acquires AIMExpo from Marketplace Events.
• MIC’s Aftermarket and Rider Safety Committees launch #GearUpEveryRide social media campaign.
• PowerLily announces entrepreneur mentorship program with industry veterans volunteering as mentors.
• Membership reaches an all-time high of over 650 member companies.