Getting out on the trails is almost a requirement in northern Michigan, whether that’s hiking and biking in the summer or snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Each year, outdoor recreation options seem to draw more people to the area. If you hear a rumble or a roar while you’re out, that’s because motorized recreation—including e-bikes, snowmobiles, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or off-road vehicles (ORVs)—is also on the rise.

According to Consumer Affairs, 2023 saw the third-highest sales of ATVs ever with 682,000 units sold (2020 holds the all-time record with more than 700,000 units). In this week's Northern Express, sister publication of The Ticker, writer Ellen Miller checks in with powersports enthusiasts and business owners in the region to see how the trend is affecting local economies and trails, especially in growing hot spots like Traverse City and Cadillac.

The Northern Express is available to read online, or pick up a free copy on newsstands at nearly 700 spots in 14 counties across northern Michigan.