Myrtle Beach officials ban motorcycle rallies
The Staff of Clutch and Chrome
June 19th 2008
For some it was
no surprise while others hoped it would never happen, but
the movement in Myrtle Beach to stop the annual motorcycle
rallies claimed victory this week.
Myrtle Beach Bike week has been at odds with locals and aspiring politicians, putting organizers in difficult situations and eventually shortening the event itself. Strict law enforcement of traffic laws and noise violations have plagued bikers attending the rallies while political moves have been made to end the event all together.
A local politician is famous for running her recent election campaign on moving or even banning the annual rally.
On Tuesday, the Myrtle
Beach City Council not only passed a property-tax increase
dedicated to an anti-bike rally campaign but also started
the process to enact ordinances aimed at ending
motorcycle-related vending within city limits.
The only opposition against the vote came from business
owners asking council members to consider the city's economy
not just from dollars spent by bikers during rallies, but
also when they return at other times of the year to
enjoy Myrtle Beach with their family.
But all
seven council members at Tuesday's meeting voted in favor of
the tax increase, tasking city staff members to draw up
strategies and plans to end the rallies. The list of ideas
will be presented for consideration by the council members
at a later date.
City leaders
plan to market May, the month two motorcycle rallies
normally take place as a family vacation month. |
