| Author | Message | ||
     Wolfridgerider |
Ordinances for Noise, Motorcycles, Alcohol Consumption, Property Management, Curfew and Accommodations 1. No loud mufflers. No straight pipes. No revving of engines or excessive noise. 2. Everyone on a motorcycle must wear a safety helmet and protective eyewear (glasses, goggles, face shield, etc.) at all times while the cycle is moving. 3. No more than two motorcycles allowed in a public parking space. 4. Curfew is in effect from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. for juveniles under age 18, with certain exceptions. Violators are detained and parents are called. 5. No alcohol sales allowed after 2:00 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. 8. No loitering allowed in posted parking lots of any business. No loitering allowed after hours in parking lots once the business is closed. Store parking is for customers, not parties. 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. Parking lots are for customers, not parties. 11. Parties responsible for permitted or unpermitted 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. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I’ve heard the rallies will still occur, just not in the city limits. Is that true? The rallies will not occur in the City of Myrtle Beach and may not occur exactly as they have in the past elsewhere. The City of Myrtle Beach is concerned with the city limits, but other local governments are considering actions to limit or alter the rallies. For example, Horry County Council is considering changes to vendor numbers, locations and fees. Surfside Beach has eliminated vendors for two years. North Myrtle Beach will not allow vendors in front of Barefoot Landing and may or may not approve a variance for a tent at the Harley-Davidson shop. You may wish to contact other local governments directly to inquire about their plans. Atlantic Beach (843) 663-2284; City of North Myrtle Beach (843) 280-5555; Horry County (843) 915-5005; Town of Surfside (843) 913-6111. I understand the motorcycle rallies have been cancelled and will not be held in 2009. Is this true? Yes, as far as the City of Myrtle Beach is concerned, the motorcycle rallies have ended. The residents of Myrtle Beach spoke loudly and clearly, asking City Council to end the May rallies. In response, City Council enacted numerous ordinances and changed existing laws to curtail the rallies beginning in 2009. Some form of the rallies may be held elsewhere in Horry County, but they will no longer occur within the city limits of Myrtle Beach, S.C. Why does Myrtle Beach no longer want motorcycle rallies? The rallies grew too large and lasted too long. The back-to-back rallies attracted several hundred thousand bikers and event-goers and overwhelmed the city for nearly three weeks. The rallies drove other visitors away. Through the years, the city tried to work with the organizers and attendees, but the rallies did not improve. Instead, they became larger, longer and louder. Myrtle Beach welcomes people who ride motorcycles lawfully, but the rallies have ended. Is this effort to discontinue the motorcycle rallies targeted at one group or one specific rally? No, the City of Myrtle Beach doesn’t want to play host to any motorcycle rally, regardless of its sponsors or attendees. The new ordinances are in effect year-round, not just during the month of May. So, is Myrtle Beach anti-biker? Not at all. The city welcomes individual motorcyclists 365 days a year, as long as they obey all local and state laws. However, the city doesn’t welcome the huge motorcycle rallies and the problems they bring. Haven’t these rallies existed for many years? Why is the City of Myrtle Beach just now deciding to discontinue the rallies? The May motorcycle rallies are not new, but for many years, they lasted only a few days and attracted much smaller crowds. While those events may have presented some challenges for residents, most people tolerated them for short periods. However, in recent years, both May motorcycle events outgrew their original size, scope and duration. The back-to-back rallies now last for nearly three straight weeks and present a huge burden on the local community. As a result, the residents asked the city to end the rallies, and City Council responded accordingly. If the city doesn’t want special events, why do the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and other organizers promote events like the Sun Fun Festival, the Myrtle Beach Marathon, or the Canadian-American Days Festival? Events like the Sun Fun Festival, the Myrtle Beach Marathon and the Canadian-American Days Festival last only a few days and don’t require nearly the level of support from the city as the motorcycle rallies. Also, they don’t cause the same level of inconvenience, noise and congestion for the residents. Those events also do not result in increased crime, traffic wrecks and fatalities. Myrtle Beach is a tourist destination. It seems strange that such a destination would decide it doesn’t want tourists, doesn’t it? We welcome all tourists, as long as they obey our state and local laws. The motorcycle-related rallies grew to be too large, too noisy and too unmanageable. For example, during July 4th, we will host even more visitors than during the motorcycle rallies, but the effect on the community is much less intense. The rallies grew so large and lasted so long that they simply overwhelmed the community. In short, their negatives far outweighed their positives. If the motorcycle rallies were such a great benefit for our area, it would seem that other communities would compete for them and try to move them to their towns, much like national conventions. So far, that hasn’t happened. Ask yourself… Would your community welcome three weeks of motorcycle rallies with hundreds of thousands of participants and the resulting noise, litter, lewdness, crime, traffic congestion, reckless driving, accidents, injuries, and deaths? Probably not. The rallies bring a lot of revenue to the city and its businesses. Does the City Council realize how much money it stands to lose? Yes, the City Council is aware of the economic impact of the motorcycle rallies, but the rallies also cost the community, and more than just money. Certain business segments did well during the rallies, but others did not. The city also paid a substantial cost in staff time and resources to cope with the rallies. Many would-be visitors also chose not to visit during May because they did not want to be caught up in the rallies. But perhaps the biggest cost of all was the effect the rallies had upon our quality of life. Residents were no longer willing to give up the month of May. Do businesses realize they’re going to lose a lot of money when the rallies go away? Yes, and no. Some businesses did benefit financially from the motorcycle rallies and expressed concern over the city’s decision. Other businesses didn’t benefit financially from the motorcycle rallies and supported the city’s efforts. And, believe it or not, there are some businesses that benefit financially from the rallies but believe overall that they still aren’t good events for the area. It’s safe to say that the business community is divided on the issue, but regardless, the city is eliminating the rallies for non-monetary reasons. If I decide to ride my motorcycle to Myrtle Beach in May 2009, what changes will I notice? Myrtle Beach is the same appealing destination that it’s always been, but you will be subject to several new ordinances. For example, you will need to wear an approved safety helmet and eye protection while riding your motorcycle within the city limits. Your motorcycle must have a functioning muffler and you will not be allowed to make excessive noise. At idle, motorcycles and other vehicles may be no louder than 89 decibels. You will need to present your license, registration and proof of insurance at all traffic checkpoints, which will be more common beginning in 2009. These checkpoints also may include noise measurements. For more details on our local laws, please view our list of new or changed ordinances. Hotels are telling me I can’t bring my motorcycle on a trailer. Is this true and, if so, why? The city will not allow motorcycle trailer parking on public rights-of-way within the city limits, nor at large, vacant sites. You may park trailers in hotel parking lots as long as they do not displace other guests’ vehicles. Spaces for trailer storage may be available outside city limits, but within the city, there will be no space available for trailer storage. Also, city ordinances restrict motorcycles to no more than two vehicles per public parking space. Will the new ordinances passed by the City of Myrtle Beach affect the Harley-Davidson rally, the Memorial Day Bikefest, or both? Both. The new ordinances are in effect year-round, and actions to eliminate the motorcycle rallies will be implemented consistently among all events. When do the new laws go into effect? Some of the new ordinances are already in effect. Other laws will be implemented in February 2009. Are the city’s efforts constitutional? Yes, the city believes its efforts are very much in line with the constitutions of the United States and South Carolina. As a matter of policy, the city doesn’t comment on pending legal challenges. However, lawsuits have been filed, and thus far, the courts have sided with the city and refused to issue any injunctions. Where do the city limits of Myrtle Beach extend? Like all cities in South Carolina, the city limits line zigs and zags. Generally speaking, the city limits begin at the southern end of Restaurant Row and continue to just past the former Air Force Base. Except for a portion of Grande Dunes, all of the City of Myrtle Beach is east of the Intracoastal Waterway. Look for signage at the major entrances to the city. At this time, SC 31, the Carolina Bays Parkway, is completely outside the Myrtle Beach City limits. | ||
| Xb9ser |
I have been going to MB every year since 1976. Some times as many a 5 times a year.Went to my first bike rally in 1980. Most of the times have been in the cage with family, but I will never go back. If i'm not welcome on my bike, I'm not welcome anytime. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
We love you! (as long as you're not on a bike, don't bring friends or stay too long) | ||
| Froggy |
How about we all go as individualists, and put 1 bike in every parking spot? | ||
| M2nc |
I plan to respect their wishes and stay away. | ||
| Cataract2 |
It's funny, so many cities are hurting right now for tax revenue. I wonder how they are going to handle this major loss of revenue. | ||
| Eboos |
We are all looking at this with disgust because the majority of riders here are responsible, good people. However, I don't doubt for a second that there were large numbers of inconsiderate asses going there and pretending that they were in some lawless wild west. The motorcycle community, Harley crowd especially, really needs a wake up call, and this is it. These check points that they will start using seem like targeted harassment, but that would seem hard to argue if you were in the wrong. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
The motorcycle community, Harley crowd especially, really needs a wake up call, and this is it. frikkin' Harley riders. what's funny is i have neighbors here in SW Virginia who are longtime residents of Myrtle Beach, and who still have their primary residence there. they're not riders. they tell me the Harley-oriented rally has never been a problem, in their opinion. they also tell me that the sportbike-oriented rally that follows the traditional rally, IS a problem, in their opinion. you may find Harley-Davidson riders to be an easy target of your indignation, but in the case of Myrtle Beach, is your indignation actually aimed in the right direction? FB | ||
| Beachbuell |
They are not trying to discourage bikers, but make it safer and more biker friendly.  | ||
| Eboos |
I admit, I may have been talking out of my backside there. I have heard many times that the Atlantic Beach thing has been more of a problem. | ||
| Babired |
That's what I hear too the Sportbike rally is the one that got the residents fed up. All of those rules reflect on past behaviors. I never had a desire to go to MB or Daytona because of all of the things I have heard about the behavior. We have enough hazards while riding who needs another, like a drunk biker riding next to you! When I hit the Lotto.... I'm going to Daytona but I will make a Bee-line right for the speedway and stay there for the real excitement.  K | ||
| Jaimec |
I'll admit, I liked going to Daytona. It was fun being somewhere WARM while it was still freezing back home. But truth to tell, I spent most of my time in Orlando at the Theme Parks than I did in Daytona Beach proper. Disney has free motorcycle parking right by the entrance to their theme parks, Universal also has reserved motorcycle parking right by the entrance; sometimes they charge for parking, sometimes they wave me through. Seems to be at the discretion of the parking attendant. Anyway, there are seldom any lines at either park so it's a good time to go. I also like browsing the vendor tents in Daytona, and taking the demo rides. For some reason, even though Daytona Beach attracts ten TIMES the amount of people as Americade it is easier to get demo rides in Daytona than in Lake George. Go figure! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
"the sportbike-oriented rally that follows the traditional rally, IS a problem" Funny you should say that. I just got off the phone with one of my customers in Myrtle. He said the same thing.... He also added that he has an "acquaintance" in the Hells Angels.... He was told The Big Red Machine is planning to be there in May..... LOTS OF 'EM | ||
| Babired |
The demo Rides at Americade are Awesome, I spent 2 days riding whatever I could get on. The only bike fleet I didn't go to were Triumph and I missed the Gold Wings, both lines were way too long! BMW had the X-challenge there for dirt demo rides what a cool idea! K | ||
| Indybuell |
What about an electric bike rally? | ||
| Babired |
Huh??? You too cold up there in your state.... thinking about electric gear???  K | ||
| Oldog |
they also tell me that the sportbike-oriented rally that follows the traditional rally, IS a problem, in their opinion. you may find Harley-Davidson riders to be an easy target of your indignation, but in the case of Myrtle Beach, is your indignation actually aimed in the right direction? My take on it as I have talked to residents there and attended the FIRST rally, the traffic and noise IS a problem to a large degree, the second bike week rally is a free for all and likely has more to do with this Many business close for the second rally or refues to serve the attendees, It makes March Badness look like a ladies auxillary tea party The PPL in SC will miss the income but not the other issues, I have attended Daytona, and a day of the MyB rally the traffic is rediculous, and many attendees of the rally are drinking and riding with out helmets. street racing and stunting is common in the second bike week rally There were signs all over daytona about keeping the noise down between certain hours, I bet that the event(s) moves out to Rossmeyers place on 95 I would also not be supprised if daytona did not take the same stand in the future. all we can say at that point is that we brought it on our selves. } | ||
| Kyrocket |
How much revenue will they really lose? MB is a vacation destination, more than likely the rooms will be rented, restaurants will be used and life will go on. What they won't have is loud bikes (Harley and sportbikes alike) overtime for police, street dept. and trash disposal. All in all I believe it would be a wash. Being involved with one, if not the largest festivals in Ky. these things really put a strain on local gov. municipalities. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Mrytle Beach ends the biker rallies. The good news? I just saved a bunch of money by not going there!! | ||
| Sayitaintso |
I've never been to a MB rally but I vacation in the MB area every year (for golf). I cant tell you how many times I've been told by locals that find out I ride (while playing golf, or hanging out in the clubhouse) that prior to the begining of the second rally the residents didn't really like the "Harley" rally but could "put up with it". The second rally was tipping point. It pushed everything too far. It made it seem like the entire month of May was one big rally. Plus, while the first rally was way too loud, the riding was more sedate and more money was spent, and only lasted a week or so. The second rally that started right on the heels of the first, seemed to have more reckless driving, and for lack of a better way to put it "less desireable" attendees. I wont repeat all the derogatory things I heard about the attendees of the second bike rally. This whole thing about MB anti-rally though seemed to start two/three years ago (05/06 or so). The residents were just fed up and didn't care about the loss of money from bikers. May is a good time for golf and they felt golfers would pick up most of the slack. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Time will tell. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I know I wouldn't want any of it going on in my back yard.... Kinda hope things stay low key for March Badness and the WV Buell Rally.... Or any other Buell event we may want to keep going to. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
I wont repeat all the derogatory things I heard about the attendees of the second bike rally. i took the same stance in my first post above. my neighbors, who have lived thru many rallies in MB, had mostly good things to say about the first rally, even tho they themselves don't ride. and the things they said about the participants of the second rally were overall pretty heinous and i chose, like you, not to go into detail here. Oldog, i love you like a brother. that said, you say, "...all we can say at that point is that we brought it on our selves." i'm puzzled by that. I didn't bring this on. YOU didn't bring this on. and doubtful anyone posting on this thread brought this on. help me to understand your statement, my brudda. Ferris | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
help me to understand your statement, my brudda.... LOL Its the look at me crowd.... Look at me!!! My pipes are so LOUD!! Look at me!!! I can wheelie into the back of a parked car!!! Look at me!!! I can do a burn out!! Look at me!!! I can skip out on my bill Look at me!!! I can do a endo and fall flat on my face!!! Look at me!!! My old lady has her top off!!! (ok I would look at that) Look at ME!!! I can do all of the above drunk off my ass!!! (extra point, ya know) Look at us.... put under a microscope | ||
| Trackdad |
We have Stillwater MN!!! The city counsel adopted noise and liquor laws to reduce the biker culture in town because the towns folk asked for it. Well they got it! Revenue is down so much that, get this, the city had to raise property taxes on the downtown businesses to make ends meet! I guess we took our money elsewhere. | ||
| U4euh |
I;ve also been going to the rallies for the past 5 years. The Harley Rally is preety tame compared to the "Atlantic Bike Week" also known as "Black Bike Week". That is not my choice of words, but the vendors and patron call it that. The Black Bike Week rally is fun if you behave, which doesn't happen. I have seen first hand women riding naked on the back of bikes, burn outs done on the main strip by 10-15 bikes at a time, I have seen sportbikes pull up under the covered shelter in front of the Cracker Barrel and push all the stuff on the porch out of their way so they could park. I have seen resteraunts destroyed because thee were 1500 peopl;e waiting at a pancake house and "damnit you only have 12 waitresses working, what kinda business you running?" I have seen a van driving down Ocean BLVD with a guy sitting on top with a sign that read "Free PU$$y inside", and yes there were windows, and yes there was a woman sitting inside. I have seen a guy riding a 60-70mph wheelie through 5 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic between the cars! I have had a group of bikers try to run me and a friend off the road, didn't work though. The biggest problem I HAVE EVER SEEN AT THE HARLEY RALLY are shot gun starts from the red lights, mOst of the bikers wait to get to the burn out pits to do the smokies, most back off the throttle after a few hundred feet. When the traffic gets congested, they pay attention to what is going on and act accordingly. I have ridden beside the 'Hells Angels' and never had a single problem, even had an offer of help on one occasion, it was to kick someone's A$$, but it was help none the less. Just based on what I have witnessed happening to the local businesses, I don't blame them one bit. BUT the unfortuanate fact is, if you curtail one rally you have to do it to all, or then you start getting cries of this and that, which I will not go into. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
i was there last may for the second weekend on the uly with the wife, maybe i brought it on with my wild behavior and such.  | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
May want to check into this guys; Dear Visitors, Myrtle Beach is no longer the location for two long-running motorcycle events. After many years, our residents grew weary of three weeks of noise and traffic congestion each May, and they asked City Council to end the events. As a result, the Harley-Davidson Dealers Association Spring Rally and the Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Bikefest will not be held in Myrtle Beach. This was a difficult decision. Myrtle Beach welcomes visitors year-round, but the giant motorcycle rallies simply grew too large. Our staff, residents and businesses strained to keep up with these huge single-focus events. It may surprise you, but our economy is much healthier with a fully diversified visitor base, instead of a concentration on one or two extremely large events. Please know that Myrtle Beach is not anti-biker or anti-motorcycle. We want folks to come on the vehicle of their choice and enjoy all of the things Myrtle Beach has to offer. We are ending the motorcycle-related rallies because they grew too big and lasted too long. The huge rallies even kept visitors away from Myrtle Beach, and that's not good. For everyone's safety and welfare, City Council has added a few new rules and regulations. We believe these new laws will make Myrtle Beach a safer and more friendly destination. For example, with your safety in mind, we now require that all motorcycle riders and passengers wear a helmet and eye protection. We also have a 1:00 to 6:00 a.m. curfew for everyone under 18. These and other rule changes are explained on this web site. Thank you for understanding. As you know, Myrtle Beach is a great place to visit, and we welcome you at any time. I look forward to your next visit and am confident that you will have a great time in Myrtle Beach! Sincerely, John Rhodes Mayor | ||
| Cityxslicker |
boycott em, ignore em, skirt their town, county and establishments. At the end of the year when they do their balance sheets, the will find they shot themselves in the foot. Colorado Springs had a very punitive exhaust legislation that they were imposing on people rolling to Sturgis. ($300 for non stock pipes) Guess who got skipped the next year.... Guess who tried to wooo bikers back this last year ?  Hit em where it hurts, the pocket book. |
