Myrtle Beach Bike Week. On or Off?

February 1, 2009 by  
Filed under Rally News

 

The Myrtle Beach Bike Week motorcycle rally is scheduled for May 8 - 17, 2009 this year.  With all of the stories about how Myrtle Beach is rebuffing bikers, you might be wondering if the rally is on or off this year.  Well, the answer is it’s on — sort of.

First of all, there will be NO events held within the city of Myrtle Beach this year.  In fact, the people of Myrtle Beach have spoken clearly enough that they do not want the rally anwhere near their city.  To drive this fact home, they have amended their Public Nuisance ordinance to state:

The effects of an unpermitted special event, or rally are a public nuisance against public health, public decency, peace and order, public welfare and safety and the public economy and responsible parties to be held financially responsible for public cost that result from their promotion.  

If you have a motorcycle that is the least bit loud, they have enacted the following ordinance to deal with you and your kind: 

No loud mufflers; EPA labeling required, or maximum 89 decibels allowed at idle measurement.  (effective immediately)

So if your pipe’s aren’t brand new or aren’t stock, you can expect to get a ticket; and if they are, you can expect to get stopped so that they can measure the sound or make sure that your muffler has an EPA sticker on it.

Brief Version of Myrtle Beach Ordinances

  • No loud mufflers. No straight pipes. No revving of engines or excessive noise.
  • 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.
  • No more than two motorcycles allowed in a public parking space.
  • 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.
  •  No alcohol sales allowed after 2:00 a.m., unless the bar applies for and receives exemption.
  • No alcohol consumption or open container possession allowed in parking lots and garages of any business.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • No use of parking lots or landscaped areas of any business next to road or street for chairs, coolers, parties, drinking or food service.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Photo identification required for hotel check-in; minors (under 18) cannot check in without parent, legal guardian or chaperone present. All guests in a room must be identified. Parking hang tags required for all guest vehicles.

 

To read it straight from their website: Laws Designed to Keep Motorcycles Out of Myrtle Beach.

But, like I said, they ARE going to hold the rally — just not in Myrtle Beach.  Since it’s clear the City of Myrtle Beach does not want motorcyclists’ bar, restaurant or hotel business, perhaps this might be a good  year to sit this one out or go elsewhere.  If you’re still wanting to go, but want to steer clear of the city, here’s a link to a PDF map showing where the city limits of Myrtle Beach are located: Map of Myrtle Beach City Limits.

 

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