Thursday, May. 07, 2009
The Truth About Bike Week
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Bike Week is here. The rally begins Friday and runs through May 17. On behalf of businesses and local bikers along the Grand Strand (this roughly 60-mile stretch of coast) let me welcome everyone.
If you hadn’t heard, the Myrtle Beach mayor and city council voted to do away with Bike Week and created several new ordinances designed to run you off. The ordinances only apply inside the city limits of Myrtle Beach. I’ll outline them below, but first let me clarify a few things.
The city of Myrtle Beach never was the official rally sponsor so it isn’t their event to cancel.
The ordinances intended to spoil your Bike Week were created by a group of just seven people: the mayor of Myrtle Beach and six city council members. Area businesses and residents never voted or had any part of the decision.
The city of Myrtle Beach is a small part of this area with a mere 16.8 square miles (according to the U.S. Census Bureau). The surrounding area, Horry County, has 1,134 square miles (SCIway.net). Horry County’s council made a few changes regarding vendor permits, but did NOT support Myrtle Beach city officials in their efforts to do away with Bike Week.
The Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson dealerships are both outside Myrtle Beach city limits. The so-called “Myrtle Beach” store sits just south of the city line so if you don’t go past the dealership you won’t be subject to the new ordinances. Myrtle Beach Speedway, which will be hosting vendors and events, is also located outside the city limits. Popular hangouts Suck Bang Blow, Broken Spoke Saloon, The Beaver Bar, The Rat Hole, Iron Gate, Jamin’ Town, H.B. Spokes and bike shops including Wimmer Custom Cycles, Beach Customs, Red Line Powersports (metric dealership), and the Victory dealer are all outside the city limits of Myrtle Beach.
The Carolina Harley-Davidson Dealers Association took its tent to New Bern, N.C., but the local dealers and Harley corporate are still here with products, events and demos.
Honestly, many locals have no idea what the hell the city is thinking by driving away any visitors. There is speculation that it is really a veiled attempt to do away with the Memorial Day sport bike event (aka Black Bike Week) and the Harley rally is getting lumped in to avoid another confrontation with the NAACP, like the city had in the past. Others think the big fish in our little pond are pulling the strings because their golf courses and theaters don’t thrive during the rallies. They must not recognize many of you are the same people who play golf on their courses and take your families to their shows at other times of the year. Whatever the reasons, here are the new ordinances that are in effect ONLY within the city limits of Myrtle Beach as listed on the Web site at myrtlebeachbikerinfo.com. (My comments are in italics.)
1-No loud mufflers… revving of engines or excessive noise. (There will be random check points where local police will use a decibel meter testing your motorcycle at idle. During the ’08 Fall Rally these checkpoints also netted riders with license and insurance problems, as well as some who had been drinking.)
2-Everyone on a motorcycle must wear a safety helmet and protective eyewear… (This flies in the face of state laws and is being challenged in court. Locals participating in a protest ride received dozens of tickets, but have not yet had their day in court.)
3-No more than two motorcycles allowed in a public parking space.
(I believe the rest of these laws were designed to curb behavior during the Memorial Day Bikefest, which leans more toward a street party and hosts a much younger and more unruly crowd, but the laws are being selectively enforced year-round so they are worth noting.)
4-Curfew is in effect from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. for juveniles under age 18.
5-No alcohol sales allowed after 2 a.m., unless the bar applies for and receives exemption.
6-No alcohol consumption or open container possession allowed in parking lots and garages of any business.
7-It is a crime not to pay the restaurant or not to leave your name and address if you dispute the bill, service or food. (Really?)
8- No loitering allowed in posted parking lots of any business. No loitering allowed after hours in parking lots once the business is closed.
9-No use of parking lots or landscaped areas of any business next to road or street for chairs, coolers, parties, drinking or food service.
10-Security standards are required for gas stations, convenience stores and stores with drive through service. No gathering or loitering is allowed in parking areas without contemporaneous commercial activity.
11-Parties responsible for special events that require an extraordinary public response may be held financially responsible for the cost of that response.
12-No parking or storage of trailers and oversize vehicles is allowed on the street; parking for these vehicles is allowed only in approved parking or storage lots.
13-Photo identification required for hotel check-in; minors (under 18) cannot check in without parent or legal guardian present. All guests in a room must be identified. Parking hang tags required for all guest vehicles.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions of bike-related topics send a "Big E-mail'' to surgebiker@yahoo.com.
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