From the Lansing State Journal (http://www.lsj.com/opinions/letters/040109_emerptv_(snowmobilestxt.html)

Scott Emerson: Snowmobiling inflicts huge costs on Michigan's health
Injuries, damage to environment outweigh benefits

AP file photo

Bad habit: Snowmobiling, as shown in this 2002 photo taken at Yellowstone National Park, exacts a huge price on Michigan's physical and fiscal health, argues Scott Emerson, an Upper Peninsula doctor.

Many in Michigan government and the private sector have been cheerleaders for snowmobiling interests. With snowmobilers everywhere in upstate Michigan, the traditional winter solitude for northern residents and the peaceful "winter escape" into northern Michigan for downstate residents has been unwisely sacrificed for low-paying, no-benefit jobs and undocumented economic benefits.

The dark issues surrounding snowmobiling involve high fatality/injury rates, noise and air pollution, trespassing onto private property and motorized recreation's strong link to the current obesity epidemic.

A 1998 study funded by the state Department of Natural Resources on the economic impact of snowmobiling in Michigan showed a statewide bottom line of $48 million for the 1997 snowmobiling (fiscal) year. Not documented in the study, however, was the $66 million cost to society of the 830 injuries calculated as a result of that Michigan snowmobiling season, as documented by National Safety Council data.

This cost, of course, is passed on to business as higher health insurance costs or to the taxpayers. This figure does not include the huge extra cost of law enforcement, which must be created to police snowmobilers on more than 5,000 miles of state trails.

The economic drag on society from snowmobile-related injuries alone more than cancels out the positive statewide economic impact reported in the only comprehensive Michigan study.

Snowmobiles in Michigan burn approximately 20 million gallons of gasoline annually; are up to 100 times more polluting per machine than a car; and exhaust high levels of carbon monoxide, sub-micron particulates and benzene.

Air quality along a busy trail suffers dramatic degradation as snowmobile season begins and is worse than many big city freeway environments. Trailside carbon monoxide levels increase by 800 percent, sub-micron particulates often exceed National Ambient Air Quality and Clean Air Act standards, and benzene levels exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health maximum exposure limits.

Exposure levels for riders were far worse, as they ride behind the engines, breathing their exhaust fumes.

The Michigan Governor's Report on State Physical Fitness (May 2003) documented the staggering cost of physical inactivity in our state at $8.9 billion per year. It noted that for every 5 percent of the population who could be encouraged to start a daily aerobic exercise program, the state could save $575 million annually.

State agencies like the DNR, tourism groups and businesses, who strongly facilitate and promote non-aerobic recreation, such as riding around on a sled that serves as a motorized couch, are actually working against our economy. They are encouraging obesity and its de-gradation of work force fitness, health and productivity.

The loud, one-sided sirens of snowmobiling interests have been listened to for far too long in Michigan. The activity is costing our state much more than most realize.

:cussing:

These liberal a-holes keep sniveling and sniveling, but guess what? We're still out there riding every weekend, and four successful companies continue to manufacture snowmobiles, which are getting more and more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. Bottom line...we win!

The sad part about that article is that non-snowmobilers will read it, and believe
it as the truth just because it is in the Lansing State Journal. It really should be in
the Enquirer or Sun. Or it should be in the opinion section of the paper. Funny
how easily somebody can state facts then spin them to say whatever they want.
Dang bleeding heart tree huggers with media jobs! :cussing: :cussing: :cussing:

Whoever says that snowmobiling "promotes obesity" is a COMPLETE IDIOT!!
By getting out and doing something (anything) is better than doing nothing at all.
I burn more calories when I am out riding then I do in the gym!

I wonder if The Doc. takes his own words to heart and drivs a GEO Metro or if he is like most other doctors and drives a gas swallowing SUV. In- other-words, this guy needs to shut up and deal with it cuase I am skeptical about how "planet friendly" his SUV, wifes BMW, and Family Yacht are. What are his hobbies becuase i am sure with enough research I could write a nasty letter about them as well. Bottom Line; If you don't like Snowmobiling move to Florida then all of your problems will be solved. By the way his line about insurance rates rising due to us Snowmobilers really makes me laugh, becuase i am sure those insurance prices have nothing to do with his salary demands now do they?
Wayne

Originally posted by Zog@Jan 9 2004, 04:04 PM
These liberal a-holes keep sniveling and sniveling, but guess what? We're still out there riding every weekend, and four successful companies continue to manufacture snowmobiles, which are getting more and more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. Bottom line...we win!
What makes you think he is liberal? It really bugs me how people always assume that people like this are liberal.

In any case, I'm sure that some of the facts that he presents are true, but what difference does it make. Our recreational activities don't have to make economic sense. That's why it's called recreation.

The whole idea of trying to calculate the health care costs of snowmobiling is just silly to me. You can kill yourself walking down a flight of stairs, or while you're out jogging on a slippery sidewalk. Living is risky, no matter what your recreational activity of choice.

I'd like to see a study that examines the affects of snowmobiling on the mental health of those who participate, and compare that to others who are stuck in the city for 3 or 4 months a year. I know that I'd be pretty depressed if I couldn't get out on the sled.

Some of the points the author makes are really silly though. Saying that "Exposure levels for riders were far worse, as they ride behind the engines, breathing their exhaust fumes." is proof that he's never been on a sled, as you can't smell your own exhaust when you're riding. Then of course, there's this piece of wisdom; "such as riding around on a sled that serves as a motorized couch". This is a common misconception that people have, though they just have to go for a good days ride to see that it is excercise if you want it to be. Maybe this is an arguement to do away with speed limits, as agressive riding certainly burns more calories then slow speed cruising.

Well, it seems like this author has 3 main beefs with us snowmobilers:

1> They cause too many deaths and injuries. True. One death or one injury is too many. We need to be safer riders, that is something that no one will argue. But, there is risk in everything we do, as Newfiebullet said. As for the exhaust issue, yes it's true we do spend the day sniffing exhaust, but not our own, the guy in front of us (hopefully it's an RX-1). The cure for that comes in point # 2....

2> They pollute the environment. True again. And the manufacturers are working on that solution as we speak. This is really a non-issue, as more and more DI or 4-stroke models become available, and old school 2-strokes are eventually replaced.

3> Snowmobiling causes obesity. Huh??? That is definitely the most ignorant statement I've ever read pertaining to our sport. He obviously based that on assumption, not fact.

I think this negative publicity, which in at least 2 of the above points is unwarranted, needs to be addressed. We need to tune these 'officials' in about the truth about our sport. As far as bad publicity from our own stupidity.... well, you can't really blame the paper when they report that another snowmobiler has died because of high speed, unsafe ice or drinking.

Ride Safe - Ride Sober

Has anyone written a rebuttal to the Lansing Journal?

You can kill yourself walking down a flight of stairs, or while you're out jogging on a slippery sidewalk.

That's it damnit. Im going to get rid of my stairs and my sled.

Originally posted by WKinneIII@Jan 9 2004, 11:33 AM
I wonder if The Doc. takes his own words to heart and drivs a GEO Metro or if he is like most other doctors and drives a gas swallowing SUV. In- other-words, this guy needs to shut up and deal with it cuase I am skeptical about how "planet friendly" his SUV, wifes BMW, and Family Yacht are. What are his hobbies becuase i am sure with enough research I could write a nasty letter about them as well.
he only gripes about cigarette smoking when he is with his pals at the CIGAR BAR also. :wink:

I'd like to see this jack-off doctor dig my 800 out of the snow. I'd even be satisfied if he could pull-start it.

Originally posted by Shortbus@Jan 9 2004, 09:57 AM
From the Lansing State Journal (http://www.lsj.com/opinions/letters/040109_emerptv_(snowmobilestxt.html)


:cussing:
Has this guy ever riden a sled????? :hallo1:

Originally posted by NewfieBullet@Jan 9 2004, 09:39 AM
What makes you think he is liberal? It really bugs me how people always assume that people like this are liberal.
I mean small "L" liberal, not the political party.

Fat :cussing: most of the guys I ride with and myself go on a diet just so they are in shape for the sled season.

Originally posted by spikegary@Jan 9 2004, 12:21 PM
Has anyone written a rebuttal to the Lansing Journal?
Here is a page that you can write to the editor (http://www.lsj.com/contactus/ltr_editor.html)

On that same page
Do you wish to write a 500-word opinion on a topic of general interest? Send it to Derek Melot at dmelot@lsj.com

Someone with really good writing skills should respond to the ###-clowns article.

WOW.$79,518.07 spent per injury (66,000,000.00 divided by 830 injuries) Maybe,just maybe someone is ripping off the health insurers? And if Dr.Dimwit wants to measure calorie burn,let him ride with me for a day and I'll scrape his tiredass carcass off the sled when I'm done with him.

Now I see why I don't read and subscribe to that rag. Unfortunately, many do. So do your part guys and get a 4-stroke :D

Originally posted by Mighty RX-1@Jan 9 2004, 11:41 AM
So do your part guys and get a 4-stroke :D
I'm sure that the writer wouldn't know the difference between a four stroke and a steam engine.

We need a good writer to reply to this idiot in the paper.
Newfie's right. Since when does our recreation need to be justified financially.
Unfortunately Newfie IT IS mostly the liberals who are responsible for this junk.

Originally posted by BCthetwo@Jan 9 2004, 09:29 PM

Unfortunately Newfie IT IS mostly the liberals who are responsible for this junk.
So you say. However, it's the neo-cons who always insist that everything be self-financing and economically feasible.

lets translate.......

strong link to the current obesity epidemic - callin us porkers :rolleyes:

breathing their exhaust fumes - isnt that what we have exhaust PIPES for?

Air quality is worse than many big city freeway environments - Thats just a joke....

carbon monoxide levels increase by 800 percent - maybe if your suckin on the can! :lol:

Scott Emerson = TREE HUGGER
http://www.ils.net/~fair/Moving%20gifs/lumberjack_walking_lg_clr.gif

Looks like it's time for to pull our resources together and write a rebuttle to this farce of an article. Non-snowmobilers are driving all of us insane with these ludacris statements and false claims. In our defense my doctor encouraged myself to snowmobile more for exercise. Like he told me "Doing something that gets you out of the house and moving is better than not doing anything that burns calories and excess sugars the average person injests daily."

This doctor is not telling complete truths that sould accompany the facts he has given. 1997 snowmobilers are so different than the snowmobiler of today. For example there are more female riders today than ever before and just plain more users of recreational vehicles. Thus getting more people out "exercising" nowadays than back then. He is talking about 7 years ago. The manufacturers have made huge strides in emission technology since then. Also suspension sytems are far superior than before giving the operator so much more ease of controling their recreational products.

I could go on for hours but you get the point of what I am saying here. Enough is enough these people need to stop trash talking and giving false information about things they really have no idea about. If they want to make these claims try for themselfs not just once but for one season than come back with a better idea of what is real and justify their claims.

Peace out, Jason L.

Lets ask the retailers in the snow belt if they want us to go away :rolleyes:

There is picture of this guy at Doo-chat , Long haired bearded hippy tree huggin' weirdo . GUILTY I stereotyped him and offended the long haired ,bearded riders. But he is weird looking and is probably a co-author of Ted Kesinski's Manifesto (Mad Bomber) against Technology. Somebody buzzed his cabin or V.W. bus and he can't take it any more . So pick on the people with the least amount of representation.

[quote]Lets ask the retailers in the snow belt if they want us to go away


:withstupid:

You're right on there Newfie.
How you gettin along on that new beast?
What set up did you end up with?

How does he figure that burdon on public health insurance. Last I knew not many welfare recipiants were out there riding.

I wrote a nice letter that i would like to send to the author.... i can't seem to find an email addy though. heres a copy of it if anyone wants to edit it to suit their tastes and send it. i used ideas found in this thread and tried to make it sound professional....

- Jason
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doctor Emerson,

In response to your January 9th article entitled "Snowmobiling inflicts huge costs on Michigan's health", I would like to start out by saying that I respect you and I accept and respect your dislike for snowmobiling and the people that partake in the hobby. However, as an avid snowmobiler and an American citizen, I am offended and appalled at the lies, half-truths and assumptions made in your article.

The best I can tell from your article, you have three main problems with snowmobiles and those who operate them. The first is that you believe they cause too many injuries, and this is putting unneeded strain on the health care system. I admit, snowmobiling is dangerous. However, are you going to start complaining about cars? Are you going to start complaining about motorcycles? How about hiking, mountain climbing, jogging on busy roads…? The list is endless. The fact is that there is danger in everything we do. I know the more specific point you are trying to address is the burden on our healthcare insurance. Quite frankly, the amount of injured snowmobilers is insignificant compared to the over 17,000 people KILLED in (very preventable) drunk driving accidents (2002 statistic courtesy madd.com). Even more people were injured and required care, and that is just one example. I suggest that if you are worried about deaths and burden on the healthcare system you focus your efforts in other places that will have a significant effect.
Your second main point is that snowmobiles pollute the environment. You are correct, they do. Given their weight they get poor gas mileage (although it is frequently better than some of the larger suv's and pickups that now grace our streets). However, all of the 4 big manufactures are working hard to correct the fuel economy and emissions problems. All four manufactures have 4 stroke style engines available and two (Yamaha and arctic cat) have high performance versions that get upwards of 25 miles per gallon and burn cleaner than many cars on the road. Skidoo is working hard on a different type of fuel delivery system for their 2 stroke motors that will make them rival the 4 strokes for fuel efficiency and cleanliness. The United States government has emissions standards in place that all manufactures must meet as well.
As for your comment, "Exposure levels for riders were far worse, as they ride behind the engines, breathing their exhaust fumes." That is completely untrue and has absolutely no basis in fact what so ever. The only plausible explanation I can surmise for that absurd statement is that you 1) rode a very old, very poorly maintained machine that does not accurately represent what is available today or 2) you are making assumptions based on very limited knowledge you have about snowmobiles and how they operate. I have ridden many snowmobiles whose ages exceed my own by almost 10 years and have never EVER experienced this phenomenon you speak of. You must realize that many people that have never ridden before are reading your grossly inaccurate statements and will believe the fallacies that you are promoting, thus making negative judgments about snowmobiling that are founded in myth and deception.
Third you make the statement that snowmobiling is contributing to the nations obesity. Wow. What a grossly inaccurate statement! How could you possibly be so ignorant? There is NO connection what so ever between obesity and snowmobile. I am not sure if you mistake bulky snowmobile clothes for fat or you are just trying to imagine ways to belittle snowmobiling but if you took the time to research you would find that exactly the opposite is true! It is not easy muscling a 500+ pound machine through trees and over bumps; and it takes a lot of energy to dig out a machine that becomes stuck in deep snow.
I strongly suggest you to go for a ride on a new, quality snowmobile so you can get a feel for what snowmobiling is really like, and get a feel for what the riders are really like. If you still dislike us and our hobby, that is fine. But at least than we will be able to have a mutual respect for each other and you and others like you will (hopefully) not go around spitting out lies and fallacies just to try to hurt snowmobile and the culture that goes with it.
Thank you for your time,
Jason Smid

sounds to me like another idiot who really has too much time on his hands,,,,,,

I'm glad he wrote the article because now I know why I DON"T gain the 15 pounds I use to add on every winter BEFORE I started snomobiling........DUH!!! I also think a study should be done on golfing,,,,you know where you hit a ball and ride a GOLFCART to the ball walk 5 steps and then do it all over!!!!! Lets see riding for 10+ hours or go to the gym for 2 , I wonder which burns more calories....He probably thinks yoga is better than physical exersize. How about some of you sledders from the U.P. go over and take him out sledding for a day and wear hiss carcuss out and see how he likes the "motorized couch"!!!!!!!

Originally posted by Mr-siv@Jan 11 2004, 12:16 AM
I wrote a nice letter that i would like to send to the author.... i can't seem to find an email addy though. heres a copy of it if anyone wants to edit it to suit their tastes and send it. i used ideas found in this thread and tried to make it sound professional....

- Jason
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doctor Emerson,

In response to your January 9th article entitled "Snowmobiling inflicts huge costs on Michigan's health", I would like to start out by saying that I respect you and I accept and respect your dislike for snowmobiling and the people that partake in the hobby. However, as an avid snowmobiler and an American citizen, I am offended and appalled at the lies, half-truths and assumptions made in your article.

The best I can tell from your article, you have three main problems with snowmobiles and those who operate them. The first is that you believe they cause too many injuries, and this is putting unneeded strain on the health care system. I admit, snowmobiling is dangerous. However, are you going to start complaining about cars? Are you going to start complaining about motorcycles? How about hiking, mountain climbing, jogging on busy roads…? The list is endless. The fact is that there is danger in everything we do. I know the more specific point you are trying to address is the burden on our healthcare insurance. Quite frankly, the amount of injured snowmobilers is insignificant compared to the over 17,000 people KILLED in (very preventable) drunk driving accidents (2002 statistic courtesy madd.com). Even more people were injured and required care, and that is just one example. I suggest that if you are worried about deaths and burden on the healthcare system you focus your efforts in other places that will have a significant effect.
Your second main point is that snowmobiles pollute the environment. You are correct, they do. Given their weight they get poor gas mileage (although it is frequently better than some of the larger suv's and pickups that now grace our streets). However, all of the 4 big manufactures are working hard to correct the fuel economy and emissions problems. All four manufactures have 4 stroke style engines available and two (Yamaha and arctic cat) have high performance versions that get upwards of 25 miles per gallon and burn cleaner than many cars on the road. Skidoo is working hard on a different type of fuel delivery system for their 2 stroke motors that will make them rival the 4 strokes for fuel efficiency and cleanliness. The United States government has emissions standards in place that all manufactures must meet as well.
As for your comment, "Exposure levels for riders were far worse, as they ride behind the engines, breathing their exhaust fumes." That is completely untrue and has absolutely no basis in fact what so ever. The only plausible explanation I can surmise for that absurd statement is that you 1) rode a very old, very poorly maintained machine that does not accurately represent what is available today or 2) you are making assumptions based on very limited knowledge you have about snowmobiles and how they operate. I have ridden many snowmobiles whose ages exceed my own by almost 10 years and have never EVER experienced this phenomenon you speak of. You must realize that many people that have never ridden before are reading your grossly inaccurate statements and will believe the fallacies that you are promoting, thus making negative judgments about snowmobiling that are founded in myth and deception.
Third you make the statement that snowmobiling is contributing to the nations obesity. Wow. What a grossly inaccurate statement! How could you possibly be so ignorant? There is NO connection what so ever between obesity and snowmobile. I am not sure if you mistake bulky snowmobile clothes for fat or you are just trying to imagine ways to belittle snowmobiling but if you took the time to research you would find that exactly the opposite is true! It is not easy muscling a 500+ pound machine through trees and over bumps; and it takes a lot of energy to dig out a machine that becomes stuck in deep snow.
I strongly suggest you to go for a ride on a new, quality snowmobile so you can get a feel for what snowmobiling is really like, and get a feel for what the riders are really like. If you still dislike us and our hobby, that is fine. But at least than we will be able to have a mutual respect for each other and you and others like you will (hopefully) not go around spitting out lies and fallacies just to try to hurt snowmobile and the culture that goes with it.
Thank you for your time,
Jason Smid
Nicely written letter.

I can't seem to find the doctors email address but here is the contact page for the Lansing Journal (http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/contactus/index.html). I would email your response to the editor and maybe they will print it.

Hi Guys !

I found a survey link to Marquette General Hospital that will allow you to send your comments to Dr. Emerson:

http://www.mgh.org/feedback.html

Or you can E-mail directly to the survey e-mail address:

tbonner@mgh.org


This is what I sent the doctor. . .

Doctor Scott Emerson,

The Letter below was written by Jason Smid and expresses my thoughts and believes regarding the article “Scott Emerson: Snowmobiling inflicts huge costs on Michigan's health”, Published January 09, 2004, Lansing State Journal.

Please go out and try snowmobiling with a new machine and reconsider the article you wrote for Lansing State Journal.

Sincerely

Tony Carvalho
E-mail: acc12@comcast.net


Doctor Emerson,

In response to your January 9th article entitled "Snowmobiling inflicts huge costs on Michigan's health", I would like to start out by saying that I respect you and I accept and respect your dislike for snowmobiling and the people that partake in the hobby. However, as an avid snowmobiler and an American citizen, I am offended and appalled at the lies, half-truths and assumptions made in your article.

The best I can tell from your article, you have three main problems with snowmobiles and those who operate them. The first is that you believe they cause too many injuries, and this is putting unneeded strain on the health care system. I admit, snowmobiling is dangerous. However, are you going to start complaining about cars? Are you going to start complaining about motorcycles? How about hiking, mountain climbing, jogging on busy roads…? The list is endless. The fact is that there is danger in everything we do. I know the more specific point you are trying to address is the burden on our healthcare insurance. Quite frankly, the amount of injured snowmobilers is insignificant compared to the over 17,000 people KILLED in (very preventable) drunk driving accidents (2002 statistic courtesy madd.com). Even more people were injured and required care, and that is just one example. I suggest that if you are worried about deaths and burden on the healthcare system you focus your efforts in other places that will have a significant effect.
Your second main point is that snowmobiles pollute the environment. You are correct, they do. Given their weight they get poor gas mileage (although it is frequently better than some of the larger suv's and pickups that now grace our streets). However, all of the 4 big manufactures are working hard to correct the fuel economy and emissions problems. All four manufactures have 4 stroke style engines available and two (Yamaha and arctic cat) have high performance versions that get upwards of 25 miles per gallon and burn cleaner than many cars on the road. Skidoo is working hard on a different type of fuel delivery system for their 2 stroke motors that will make them rival the 4 strokes for fuel efficiency and cleanliness. The United States government has emissions standards in place that all manufactures must meet as well.
As for your comment, "Exposure levels for riders were far worse, as they ride behind the engines, breathing their exhaust fumes." That is completely untrue and has absolutely no basis in fact what so ever. The only plausible explanation I can surmise for that absurd statement is that you 1) rode a very old, very poorly maintained machine that does not accurately represent what is available today or 2) you are making assumptions based on very limited knowledge you have about snowmobiles and how they operate. I have ridden many snowmobiles whose ages exceed my own by almost 10 years and have never EVER experienced this phenomenon you speak of. You must realize that many people that have never ridden before are reading your grossly inaccurate statements and will believe the fallacies that you are promoting, thus making negative judgments about snowmobiling that are founded in myth and deception.
Third you make the statement that snowmobiling is contributing to the nations obesity. Wow. What a grossly inaccurate statement! How could you possibly be so ignorant? There is NO connection what so ever between obesity and snowmobile. I am not sure if you mistake bulky snowmobile clothes for fat or you are just trying to imagine ways to belittle snowmobiling but if you took the time to research you would find that exactly the opposite is true! It is not easy muscling a 500+ pound machine through trees and over bumps; and it takes a lot of energy to dig out a machine that becomes stuck in deep snow.
I strongly suggest you to go for a ride on a new, quality snowmobile so you can get a feel for what snowmobiling is really like, and get a feel for what the riders are really like. If you still dislike us and our hobby, that is fine. But at least than we will be able to have a mutual respect for each other and you and others like you will (hopefully) not go around spitting out lies and fallacies just to try to hurt snowmobiling and the culture that goes with it.

Thank you for your time,

Jason Smid

well if sledding causes us to be that much overweight, and all the accidents we cause,,,there should be a sledder seeing him all the
time giving him $$$$

to me, he just needed a reason to whine a little bit

AHOLE

couch???

the same tree hugging doctor also was sabatoging the tressel near his home where the dog sledders cross for the u.p. 200. i was told that before last years race they actually had someone stay on the tressel overnight to guard it.personally i would rather have him babbling his dis-like for people with a hobby than practicing medicine(in his case it really is practicing) as he has mis diagnosed two people i know and both could of died if another doctor wouldnt of stepped in. ruptured ependix.(send home with flu) anurism (put in a waiting room as it wasnt a priority case) thank god marquette has some quality doctors on staff that in both of these cases stepped in ,rediagnosed and fixed.

Where did this so called Doc get his PHD?Out of a box of crackerjacks???? He sabatoges dog sledders too? I guess they arent getting any exercise either :dazed: :sarcasm:

The American Council of Snowmobile Associations have some good articles on our impact in the environment.
ACSA (http://www.snowmobileacsa.org/page.cfm/3/)

Snowmobilers as a group will be putting up with garbage like this till the end of time
no matter what.