Bikers are, at root, tourists who aid economy

I think if folks come here and spending money they should to beable to ride their bikes and locals should put up with the noise for those few days, it's not like it don't cost them to come here, it do cost and it's not cheap those few days.As for the few crimes that take place, that happens weather they come here or not. So I say let them keep coming for now.

Thank You Very Well Said

Thank you for a well thought out piece, and for limiting it to Harley week. Its not the Harley guys that are the problem in May.

Its a shame everyone that lives in a TOURIST area complains about tourists... go figure.

NIKKI B wrote:

I think if folks come here and spending money they should to beable to ride their bikes and locals should put up with the noise for those few days, it's not like it don't cost them to come here, it do cost and it's not cheap those few days.As for the few crimes that take place, that happens weather they come here or not. So I say let them keep coming for now.

I'm not under the impression that it's a problem with bikers in general, but a problem with the organized weeks.

Think of the money these events bring into this community. All the things we enjoy in this community are predicated on a healthy tourist economy. We simply don't have the numbers to support all of the things we enjoy without a large dose of visitors. For many of us, our very jobs depend on it.

Ask yourself this: Are we currently in a vibrant economy in which we can afford to run off tourists?

Well, these events apparently cost us $300,000. So if you bring in more than that, good for you!

NIKKI B wrote:

I think if folks come here and spending money they should to beable to ride their bikes and locals should put up with the noise for those few days, it's not like it don't cost them to come here, it do cost and it's not cheap those few days.As for the few crimes that take place, that happens weather they come here or not. So I say let WEcthem keep coming for now.

Those few days!!Excuse me!! What used to be a long week is at least 10 days. The bikers are coming earlier and earlier and stretching it to extra days. ENOUGH!!

Everyone who owns a business in the Myrtle Beach area, please raise your hand! Now, everyone who owned a business in the Myrtle Beach area 25 years ago, raise your hand too! OK, now that we have weeded out folks somewhat less credibility on the subject, allow me to explain the view of many businesses in Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach is not Sturgis, S.D.; Laconia, N.H.; Panama City, Fla.; Daytona, Fla.; Little Sturgis, Ky.; Chillicothe, Ohio; or Laughlin, Nev. We are one of the premier family destinations in the country. Those of you with a longer memory might recall that the "season" started a month earlier than it does now. Once the bike festivals began, it didn't take long for folks to figure out that they should wait until June to visit our beaches. The noise and the traffic make it less pleasant to be here during the Harley week. Unfortunately, the Harley riders do not adequately offset the spending habits of a typical family on vacation. If you do not own a bike shop, a liquor store, or a motel, you are probably suffering during the Harley week. To be fair, the financial suffering is worse during the Atlantic Beach bike festival.

I have been in Myrtle Beach a long time, and I know a lot of business people who feel much the same as I do. Myrtle Beach works hard and spends a lot of money to attract families to our beaches. The Harley riders have skewed spending habits and they run off the folks Myrtle Beach works hard to attract, so they do in fact cost many business owners for the Harley riders to come here.

So yes, I believe that Myrtle Beach would be better off financially without the bike festivals, especially in the longer term when our target market starts coming to the beach again in May.

Let's turn Myrtle Beach into what is was and what it should be...a family oriented vacation paradise.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could get rid of biker weeks and have a wonderful Memorial Day parade celebrating and recognizing Armed Forces Month for the sacrifices made by those who serve and have served this wonderful country.

You live in Longs and do not own property in MB so do not tell us to calm down. Who are you to make such a statement, handle your problems in Longs and we will handle ours in MB.

Your attempt to educate the readers is another is a joke, who are you to educate anyone? MB has a problem and people like you cannot and will not help. You only hamper any correction actions atempts.

Do you know where Longs is Stupid? It's right beside North Myrtle Beach - so you kind of have to drive through a bunch of MB and NMB traffic to go to work and the store. It looks like you are from Danville, Stupid.

Next time, you might want to check your facts before you jump on someone's s**t, Stupid.

True Blue wrote:

Let's turn Myrtle Beach into what is was and what it should be...a family oriented vacation paradise.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could get rid of biker weeks and have a wonderful Memorial Day parade celebrating and recognizing Armed Forces Month for the sacrifices made by those who serve and have served this wonderful country.

AMEN brother! I'll lead the parade with my wife and two sons, all on our Harley Davidsons. May be its time to re-define "Family".

Harley week is not an issue when it comes to garbage left, sex on the streets, urine and feces deposited on sidewalks or disrespectful attitudes towards society. I have read oppinions stating it is not the bikers, but the car riders, coming to these events that make the trouble. Either way, it's not Harley week that poses the problems.

Frankly, I think our "City Fathers" need to read "Sense and Sensibility". Even thinking of trying to disuade HD biker week in itself is ludicrous. I spent 25 years on the Boulavard through Harley week, Shriners week(s) and Memorial day bikers. The Harley Riders bring more money to this area than even the summer tourists. Are there some bad apples that follow them, yes, there are a few, but this happens with any group. Many locals here NOT in the tourist industry have a mind set against them, the only 2 reasons they can give is traffic and noise. Well, I'm sorry folks, I am 70 years old and I still LOVE the sound of a Harley.

The problem I see is people are afraid to speak the REAL truth and the real truth is Memorial day (week) weekend. The group that come then cause more problems, spend less money then even the kids that come in June. I know what you are thinking now..."He's Racist". Well, you are welcome to call me that if you choose, because if calling it like it is means I'm racist, then I guess I am!

There are many things we have to deal with in life both good and bad. There are right ways to handle things and wrong ways, but trying to eliminate bikers is just STUPID!!!!

The comment I heard this morning tops everything, if it's true. It was reported that at the Council meeting it was said that taxes would go up in order to eliminate the bikers. Brilliant, simply brilliant!!!! What that says to me is 'lets eliminate money coming into the economy and let's raise taxes to do it'. I refer back to "Sense and Sensibility".

In other words I VOTE to KEEP the bikers!!!!!

Aubrey Toole

They do bring in money, they also cost property owners a bundle. Maybe you are not aware of the damage they do to condo units, etc. My units will not be available again during either bike week. I might suggest that everyone do the same including local business owners. It's not discrimination if you close during both events or don't offer up your condo to either. That's what I intend to do in the future. I for one, do not welcome this type of event. No other event brings this type of behavior on this scale. PLEASE BRING BACK CIVILIZED BEHAVIOR.

As onemorebubba stated, "Harley riders do not profit the business owners in MB other than the bike shops,hotels,and licquor stores. A few places on the blvd. might make a little. BBW money is spent but the damage done is tremendous. Both rallies would have to be shut down in all fairness to appease the NAACP.

I live in Murrels Inlet and work at a local car dealership. I see no monetary benefit from either of the bike weeks. If anything, our business is lower do to the fact that the locals do not want to come out in all the traffic. I see you are from Longs so you do not have to deal with the daily headaches of just getting to work or the grocery store during the bike weeks like the local residents do. Come and live at the beach for those two weeks and maybe you will understand what all the fuss is about. It is easy to sit back and talk about how GOOD it is until you have to try and live your everyday lives in the middle of it!

Patriotgames wrote:

Both rallies would have to be shut down in all fairness to appease the NAACP.

Exactly. It's easy for people to say "screw the NAACP, why don't they enforce their boycott." These people seem to forget that the NAACP has very deep pockets. Maybe they want to front the money for the lawsuit.
If they didn't happen after each other, this wouldn't be an issue I believe. No one is saying anything about the Fall bike rally.

Mobyvic wrote:

I live in Murrels Inlet and work at a local car dealership. I see no monetary benefit from either of the bike weeks. If anything, our business is lower do to the fact that the locals do not want to come out in all the traffic. I see you are from Longs so you do not have to deal with the daily headaches of just getting to work or the grocery store during the bike weeks like the local residents do. Come and live at the beach for those two weeks and maybe you will understand what all the fuss is about. It is easy to sit back and talk about how GOOD it is until you have to try and live your everyday lives in the middle of it!

To be fair, he might work in MB. I live in Loris and work in MB.

I have lived here long enough(Murrells Inlet, SC 7 years) to recognize that the individuals who partake in HARLEY week do not cause the wave of crime or destruction that is being implied. Former resident of Myrtle Beach I now live in the heart of one of the biggest attractions SBB and never encounter any issues or problems... Traffic is always an issue and it's year round, 10 days of bikes on the road isn't anything to complain about.... we live in a tourist area and these individuals who spend more money then the average family during a week vacation have a right to be here and vaction.
Let's face it people, a few known facts, those of you who are complaining about bike week are not looking at this objectively and are placing blame on harley week to mask the real issue and problem the ATLANTIC BEACH BIKEFEST... in the short time they are here, they are skipping out restaurants and not paying there bills, causing ciaos on the road due to their unsafe driving "packs or heards", weaving in and out of traffic, bringing stolen bikes to town which have been impounded by our police, there lude manners and dress.... these are the real issues and no one is stating there true feelings... Are these incidents reported accurately or ignored because it might be feared racist? Our businesses are watched like hawks to ensure everyone is being treated fairly when these bikers haven't an ounce of respect for these business owners that have stayed open. Our businesses lose more money during these 4 days but can't honestly state their true feelings. I worked in various hotel positions to state they are not worth bringing to town because they trash and disrespect every location they go to. I say we bring in additional security forces to manage both of these events effectively; let's ensure economic growth, safety and respect to our town. Don't be afraid to write tickets and arrest people who are violating are rights, property and well being.
Let's do a 4 day comparison and see which event yeilds more money, and compare this to a 4 day July 4th weekend and see the monetary yeilds.
I personally would like to rid the grand strand of the Atlantic Beach bike week since they have taken our Memorial Day away from us but it will never happen. Let's do the right thing and just learn to deal with this ridiculous event since whether we want both bike weeks or not they can come to town in large or small masses riding their motorcycles all over and make their presence known. Learn to adapt and recognize, we all live in a tourist environment and bikers are tourist who have every right to come to town, vacation, ride their bikes and spend their money on our entertainment. If you don't want to be in a tourist town move away!! Are the residents going to picket them if they come to town? This is how silly stopping bike week sounds.