Supporters of bike week
What’s it going to be?
On one side of the coin, elected officials representing the City of Myrtle Beach want the semi-annual bike rallies abolished. On the other side, local bartenders, rally promoters and bike-affiliated business owners say they’ll lose money if the rallies end.
Anti-rally supporters
City Grievances:
- The city is fed up with the influx of crime, rude behavior and the money spent to clean the city when the rally is finished.
- Myrtle Beach Police rack up loads of overtime to police the events, costing the City time and most importantly money.
- Crime rates increase during the rallies including citations, public intoxications and vehicle related fatalities. At the May rallies in ’08, 7,500 citations were issued during both rallies.
- It’s noisy and keeps local residents from carrying on with their normal lives.
MB’s plan of action:
- City Council raised property taxes 3-mills, exactly $4 to every $100,000 home and $6 to commercial and second homes. They hope to raise $1 million per year to help with a yet-to-be-established anti-rally campaign.
- Their arguments include that with the approximately 9,950 overtime hours MB police rack up, it’s cheaper to end the rallies completely.
Local Business Arguments:
- Many businesses cater to the inflow of riders during the bike weeks. Some say they make as much as 40 percent of their annual income during the rallies (especially those working on commission like bartenders.)
- The city/county makes money selling vendor permits.
- The rallies give the city national recognition and secure repeat visitors who come to spend their money.
- Attendees of the rallies have a right to roll into town, reserve a hotel room and have a good time at the events in place.
For-Rally plans of action:
- Simply show up in droves. At last month’s Horry County Council meeting, at least 500 leather clad bikers showed to support the pro-rally push. The issue was not on the agenda, but their point was taken.
- Organize pro-rally gatherings. So far, a rally at Suck Bang Blow in Murrell’s Inlet is planned for July 16 to raise money for an anti-anti-rally campaign.
What do you think? First, answer with whether or not you’re a local. Then, tell us if the rallies are bothersome to you. If so, why? Is it the noise/rude behavior/trash? If not, why not?
Let your voice be heard!
