Bikers plan to protest against ending rallies
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By Thema Ponton
WBTW News 13 Reporter
Published: June 24, 2008
Bikers from across county are planning to attend the Horry County council meeting on July 1 to show their unified support for continuing both rallies.
Hakim Harrell, CEO of Cycle Shoe International and promoter of the Memorial Day events held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, said bikers from across the county are planning to ride into the area earlier in the afternoon on the day of the council meeting to get organized and then attend the meeting.
“At this point we still have both bike rallies and what we need to do is sit down with city (of Myrtle Beach) officials and talk about how we can make the future bike weeks better,“ Harrell said. “The city has to be willing to talk and make an investment in trying to come up with plans to better organize the rallies. I feel that if we work closely together with both bike communities, we can convince them to reconsider their decision.“
“At the end of the day,“ he said, “we are still going to go to Myrtle Beach anyway.”
On June 17, Myrtle Beach city council members approved a three mil property tax increase.
Council members said the tax money would be used to attract other visitors to replace the biker crowd, and council is also considering getting rid of bike rally vendors at Broadway at the Beach.
The Horry County council meeting starts at 6 p.m.
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( noname ) on June 25, 2008 at 9:43 am
The way I see it the city can keep control & the money with planned events,or we are still coming,maybe some don’t remember what it used to be like with no planned events,street racing,if their was an accident we drug the driver of the automobile out of the car& he was taught to watch for motorcycles,we did what we felt like and what we thought it took to protect us,personally I like the city being involved,but we are coming anyway,the ? is does the city want to remain in control and make money.We fought for those beaches and they are as much ours as anyones.I like to respect everywhere I go,but there is a difference in respect and laying down,we’ll be there.
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Posted by ( ladybud ) on June 25, 2008 at 8:14 am
You are all delusional. 3 million in taxes and one weekend are not going to make up the revenue lost from getting rid of these two events. And just because Myrtle Beach wants to stop issuing permits, does not mean the bikers are gone. Do you seriously thing that you can tell people what to drive in your town? I don’t think so.
All things look shiny, new, and big when you’re a KID. Then you grow up and that friendly little place you USED to go to tells you to GO AWAY - WE DON’T WANT YOU HERE!
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Posted by ( Local1 ) on June 25, 2008 at 6:17 am
ladybud,
Last time I checked Mem. Day Weekend USED to be a huge beach weekend for families, I know I always came as a kid before I moved here,so I guess you were mistaken on that one. THAT would be the time slot I was speaking of. I’d love to have Mem. Day weekend back for family vacations.
Sorry, I do not live across from a bar or an airport. Living on the oceanfront in an upscale area far from all the biker activities does not shelter me either. Traffic is bad at the beach in the summer months, but Bike Week makes it worse. I do not enjoy sitting in traffic for an extra 45 min. looking at half naked people on the back of bikes (who should NOT be half naked) and listening to loud bikes just to take my kids to sports. I have lived here long enough to know that is ONLY happens during the two bike weeks. They have to block off the streets and route new traffic patterns for these events so OF COURSE it is a big problem. If you have not noticed that, you must not get out much.
We cannot get rid of tourists, they are here to stay. That is part of the charm (if you want to call it that) of the area. There is nothing charming about
bike week In my opinion, and that is just what it is MY opinion. I am sure someone is going to say opinions are like————, eveyone has one. So don’t bother…...
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Posted by ( ladybud ) on June 24, 2008 at 6:32 pm
local1, I’m so sorry that you cannot appreciate this event. It is a wonderful time to get out and meet new people who share at least one common interest.
And yes, I know what it’s like to have people drive up and down my street all hours of the night (mostly import cars with loud exhaust - oops are they next on the do not allow at the beach list?). I live across the street from a bar and at the end of an airport. Guess what, they were there first, so I have no right to complain and I live with it.
As far as the lude behavior and drunkenness, and traffic, have you ever been out any other time during the summer? I’ve been there in March, April, December, October, almost every month of the year, and I’ve seen the same things. Drug deals in Wal-Mart’s parking lot in March (not bike week), people making out at outdoor restaurants, etc. And if you ask me, traffic is worse in June and July than at any point during bike week. What families are going to come to Myrtle Beach when the bikers are gone? NO SCHOOLS ARE OUT DURING THAT TIME.
Love the fat comment. Since I’m considered by doctors to be “morbidly obese” I’ll be sure to pack my bikini this summer.
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Posted by ( Local1 ) on June 24, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I do not have to REMOVE myself. I live here and if you would want someone to drive by YOUR home ALL NIGHT LONG with loud bikes waking up your kids, humping each other in the parking lot (yes I saw this with my youngest child), let’s switch bike week to YOUR town.
If you live in Myrtle Beach and you enjoy bike week, more power to you. If we must have both bike weeks, the least the bikers can do is behave when they are here. My poor son had to look at countless fat, bare, butts and boobs while on the school bus, not to mention the hours of extra traffic they have to sit in. So, no, I do have to get over it, or go away, this is my town, I pay taxes and I live here. Any city needs to put it residents first. Bikers do not support our entire town coming in for 1 or 2 weeks. We could make just as much if we had familes coming to the beach again during that time but who wants to come to the beach for a relaxing vacation with that going on. Why do you think some businesses actaully shut down….they do not want the hassle.
Anyone who is in favor of bike week who comes, has a good time, enjoys our city, keeps it clean and respects the locals while they are here, please do come back. But if you are one of the countless ones I see drunk, crashing your bikes, fighting, humping in public, you can go away and stay….
By the way….my spouse and I both own bikes. We have for 10 years or more and we hate bike week. We ride for the enjoyment of riding, not in traffic, not while drunk, just out in the open air riding. So, yes, I guess I have sat down to speak to a biker once in while. Real bikers ride to ride, not to be the loudest or the drunkest one on a crowded highway. Grow up.
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Posted by ( ladybud ) on June 24, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Local1, have you ever sat and talked with a biker?? I am a 35 year old female who works as a receptionist at a Veterinarian’s office. I have no tattoos, no criminal record, don’t do drugs, and don’t stay drunk. Is that pretty much what you thought of when I said BIKER?? Well I guess you were wrong about me then.
I can’t believe you would have me as your guest as a receptionist, but not as a motorcycle enthusiast. Don’t welcome me with a smile on your face and a knife behind your back! If I’m not welcome in May, then I’m not welcome at all. That also goes for the 200,000 ++ friends of mine who will still ride through Myrtle Beach to get to where they are going, but won’t stop and spend money there. If you want to pay for the lost revenue from all of us going somewhere else on your tax bill, then go right ahead, but you’d better be ready to work 3 jobs!
LEAVE US ALONE AND KEEP BOTH BIKE WEEKS!
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Posted by ( Alguitar ) on June 24, 2008 at 11:52 am
I am in favor of keeping bike week as both a rider and one who generates alot of income that week as a musician. I am neither obscene or obnoxious and actually a respectable resident of Horry County.
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Posted by ( JustDBn3 ) on June 24, 2008 at 9:25 am
I am reminded of how North Myrtle Beach drove out the spring breakers back in the late 80’s, early 90’s. I ran a restaurant in Ocean Drive at the time. To this day, that restaurant hasn’t had the sales that it did back then. That’s including 20 years of inflation.
The only thing that is obscene (ah, that’s how it is spelled, Local1) about bike week is the thought process of those against it. You live in an area that the economy is driven by tourism. If you don’t like that…...REMOVE YOURSELF….It’s no different then people that complain about what’s on TV….CHANGE THE CHANNEL…..
I’m sure that there are plenty of “locals” that are doing obscene things everyday. For the most part, bikers are educated, well to do people….professionals…..cut me a break…..
And if you think you’ll drive out the bikers, you better think again….IT WON’T HAPPEN….. so get over it.
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Posted by ( Local1 ) on June 24, 2008 at 7:06 am
I hope they show up just as obsecene as they are when they are riding their bikes. That will help their cases….....GET RID OF BIKE WEEK!!!!!
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