Latest news with #Biketoberfest
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'Slingshots' banned from Main Street during Bike Week in Daytona Beach
Slingshot drivers got an unpleasant surprise on the opening day of Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Friday when they tried to cruise down Main Street like they have done at past rallies. But this year, it was a no go: Slingshots, which are a three-wheel cross between a car and a motorcycle, aren't allowed on Main Street while the thoroughfare is closed to regular traffic during Bike Week. Cars and trucks are not allowed on the road while Bike Week is in session. The event continues through March 9 That was a shock to members of Coast to Coast Slingshots, said the group's president Beth Davis. 'Everybody is extremely disappointed and a lot of us didn't find out until we made the trip down there,' Davis said. 'I don't know what we are going to do in the future.' She added that group members may not return to Bike Week or Biketoberfest. 'I honestly think after this year there is not really any reason to go to Daytona Bike Week if we are not going to be allowed to be part of it,' Davis said. She said Slingshot owners have been coming to Bike Week and Biketoberfest from near and wide for past events. 'We had no issues, no problems. We enjoyed it. We walk Main Street, we visit the venues, we go to the vendors, we spend a lot of money,' Davis said. Slingshots is marking its 10th anniversary this year. The vehicles can cost from $24,999 to $38,999, according to the Slingshot's website. The website states that a regular driver's license is all you need in most states to operate the machine. In contrast, Florida also requires a motorcycle endorsement on a driver's license to ride a motorcycle. The Daytona Beach Police Department had not responded to an email from The News-Journal as of Sunday morning asking why Slingshots were no longer allowed on Main Street. But a News-Journal reporter asked some officers working Bike Week on Saturday why the Slingshots were prohibited on Main Street. Their answers varied. Some officers said that the Slingshots are wider than three-wheeled motorcycles, also called 'trikes.' That extra width means that the Slingshots might hit one of the hundreds of motorcycles parked on either side of Main Street during Bike Week, according to police. Besides the initial accident, the crash could lead to a domino-like tumbling of parked motorcycles. Others said Slingshots are classified as 'autocycles,' not motorcycles. Slingshots are neither cars or motorcycles, but have elements of each, although they're tagged like a motorcycle. Police also said the ban was implemented following the terrorists attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day. Security measures at this year's Bike Week have been increased following that attack, including meridian barriers designed to stop vehicles. The barriers are on loan from the Volusia Sheriff's Office. Whatever the reason, Slingshots have their purist biker detractors, such as Kenneth Rollag. Rollag started a petition last year to ban Slingshots from Main Street during Bike Week, just like cars and trucks are banned. Rollag wrote that he is a motorcycle enthusiast and claimed that Slingshots and similar machines were 'disrupting' the atmosphere of Bike Week, which is supposed to celebrate motorcycle culture. He wrote Slingshots have features like side-by-side seating and a steering wheel like a car. 'Let us uphold what makes our beloved Bike Week special by ensuring it remains an event for true motorcycle enthusiasts,' the petition states. The petition gathered 31 signatures. However, Davis acknowledged that bikers have complained about Slingshots. 'I know there's been a lot of complaints: the motorcyclists don't like the Slingshots,' she said. She said there was an incident at last year's Bike Week when a Slingshot hit a motorcycle parked on Main Street. Davis said the motorcycle was not parked properly. 'We did see one of the Slingshots, because they are a little bit larger, hit one of the motorcycles,' Davis said. 'It really wasn't the Slingshot's fault. It was the motorcycle that was too far in the road,' Davis said The News-Journal talked to a handful of bikers along Main Street on Saturday and none of them said they had an issue with Slingshots. Sam Acquaro, of Port Orange, was sitting on his motorcycle watching the rumbling parade of chrome pass by. He said he had no problem with Slingshots, comparing the machines to three-wheelers, including Can-Ams. 'All it is, is just a longer version of a Can-Am," Acquaro said. He added that if they ban Slingshots they should ban all three-wheelers. Alberto Lamberty of Ocala said as bikers grow old they sometimes need some additional wheels. He said he was 75, had had open-heart surgery and could no longer ride a two-wheel motorcycle. In order to ride safely, he had two additional wheels added to the back of his Honda Goldwing. He had a problem with the Slingshot ban. 'That's not fair,' he said. Davis of Coast to Coast said the group usually has 60 Slingshots that make the trip from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach for Bike Week, while another 60 or 70 roll in from Orlando and beyond. She said Slingshot owners are older and mature. She said she is relieved that a gathering of Slingshot owners in Daytona Beach on Saturday, March 8, was not planned on Main Street but rather at Triton Powersports on Ballough Road. Davis said that if the Main Street ban stays in place, her group may not return to Bike Week and Biketoberfest. 'If this is going to continue to be the plan we are probably not going to do it,' she said. 'They are losing a lot of revenue.' This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Slingshots banned from Main Street for Daytona Bike Week
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Why does Florida have so many motorcycle accidents? This is the most dangerous intersection
Florida is one of the most popular states for motorcycle riders and even hosts one of the biggest annual bike rallies in the U.S., in Daytona Beach. And while the Sunshine State's year-round warm weather and coastal roads can make it a biker's paradise, it is also one of the most dangerous places in the U.S. to ride a motorcycle. According to a recent national study from Georgia-based personal injury law firm Jones and Swanson, Florida actually led the country for the most motorcycle accident-related deaths in 2024 – for the third year in a row. Here are the most dangerous states for riding motorcycles, where the most dangerous intersection for motorcyclists is in Florida and why the state tops the list. To find the most dangerous states for motorcycle drivers, Jones and Swanson collected motorcycle fatality data from the The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), compared helmet laws and DUI enforcement and penalties in each state and identified high-risk intersections using Florida DOT crash reports. 'For the third consecutive year, Florida ranks number one in motorcycle deaths, far surpassing other states,' the study says. 'Weak helmet laws, high DUI-related crashes, and unchanged high-risk intersections continue to endanger riders. With 1,024 DUI-related motorcycle crashes in 2024, Florida remains one of the weakest states for DUI enforcement, putting not only motorcyclists but all road users at risk.' According to the study and NHTSA data, Florida saw 550 motorcycle-related deaths from January through September 2024 – this is down from 560 in 2023, but still 40 more than the next most-dangerous state on the list. Here are the five most dangerous states for motorcycle drivers, based on data from 2024: Florida California Texas Arizona Georgia 'While overall traffic deaths in the U.S. declined, Florida's motorcycle fatalities remain disproportionately high, proving that policy failures, weak safety enforcement, and neglected crash hotspots are putting lives in danger,' the study says. Why is car insurance so expensive? Insurance expert weighs in on high rates in Florida This study, which uses data only through September 2024, attributes the disproportionately high rate of motorcycle-related deaths in Florida to loose helmet laws and a need for stricter DUI penalties in the state. 'As Florida continues to host major motorcycle events like Daytona Bike Week and Biketoberfest, the risks for riders are greater than ever,' the study says. 'Without immediate legislative reforms, including stronger helmet laws, stricter DUI penalties, and infrastructure improvements at known deadly intersections, 2024 could become another record-breaking year for motorcycle deaths in Florida.' According to the study, Florida's most dangerous intersection for motorcyclists lies right outside of Fort Myers, at the intersection of State Road 82 and Daniels Parkway. And the Fort Myers News-Press reports that authorities are cracking down on traffic violations and addressing dangerous driving along S.R. 82 this week, with an increased Florida Highway Patrol presence on the roadway on Wednesday, Feb. 19. 'Florida Highway Patrol officers took reign of State Road 82 on Wednesday night, cracking down on dangerous driving practices with a wave of traffic stops, citations and arrests after growing complaints about safety,' the News-Press reported. 'The 'Slow your Ride 82' operation was intended to send a proactive message to traffic law breaking motorists, according to the troopers.' The News-Press report said that Between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Wednesday, several specialized FHP units were active along S.R. 82, with an ELITE DUI Squad, Aggressive Driving Unit, Contraband Interdiction Unit with K9 and a drug recognition expert. Here are the results of the traffic stops on Wednesday, according to the News-Press report: Four drug arrests, Seven felonies One stolen vehicle — a 2024 GMC Sierra Four unlicensed drivers 29 speeding citations 19 other citations — faulty equipment, seatbelts, expired tag, no insurance 54 warnings Four vehicles towed More on the FHP crackdown: Troopers stop 100 drivers from Fort Myers to Immokalee in reckless driving crackdown You are allowed to ride a motorcycle in Florida without a helmet, but you have to be at least 21 years old and have an insurance policy that covers at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred while operating or riding on a motorcycle, according to the state statutes. 'A person may not operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless the person is properly wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head which complies with Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218 promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation,' the state statute says. 'A person over 21 years of age may operate or ride upon a motorcycle without wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head if such person is covered by an insurance policy providing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating or riding on a motorcycle.' Yes. If you're riding a motorcycle without a helmet in Florida and are under 21 or don't have the proper insurance coverage, you can be ticketed. But don't worry about being swept away to jail, if you do break this law. A ticket for not wearing a helmet while on a motorcycle is a noncriminal traffic infraction, similar to speeding violations, which means you'll be fined and may have to attend a driving class. 'A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation,' the state statute says. Contributing: Tayeba Hussein, Fort Myers News-Press This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida's deadliest intersection for motorcyclists: Where it is
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bike Week and Biketoberfest possible rule changes have sparked anger
DAYTONA BEACH — Many of the 100 or so people who attended a public meeting Monday night to discuss possible Bike Week and Biketoberfest rule changes showed up agitated and didn't leave in a much better mood. Raising fees businesses pay during the two annual biker events, allowing people to park in residential areas during the rallies, permitting tattoo artists to set up temporary operations during the biker parties – none of it was making the meeting attendees happy. "The fees are going to kill me," said George St. Pierre, the longtime owner of Jungle George's souvenir shop on the east end of Main Street near the ocean. "I don't make a ton of money on that corner." Nothing was decided at the meeting held inside the Peabody Auditorium theater. The gathering was held to share rule change ideas that local residents and business owners had suggested after the city government had asked for suggestions at the end of last year. The City Commission will hold a meeting soon to discuss proposed changes to what property owners can and can't do during Bike Week and Biketoberfest, but they won't vote at that meeting. They probably won't make any final decisions until at least April or May. The earliest new parameters could be in place would be for Biketoberfest in October. Any changes would not be in effect for this year's Bike Week, which begins Feb. 28. Several proposed changes angered Main Street business owners and beachside residents throughout the nearly two-hour meeting that was slated to last only one hour. Some were also irritated that they only found out about the meeting at the last minute, and just by happenstance in a few cases. They accused city officials of not advertising the meeting well enough and early enough. The city had the meeting listed on its weekly notices over a week ago, but some who didn't see that suspected the city was trying to hide the meeting from the public. Robert Ellis, who owns Victory Tattoo on Main Street, said if more people had heard about the meeting, the Peabody theater would have been full Monday night. The proposal to allow parking within a one-mile radius of Main Street during Bike Week and Biketoberfest sparked some of the strongest pushback from residents. Beachside resident John Nicholson said no one would walk from University Boulevard or Silver Beach Avenue to get to Main Street. Inessa Hansen, owner of One Sexy Biker Chick on Main Street, questioned if the expansion of parking into residential areas during the events was intended to get rid of parking on Main Street. Hansen said the idea to expand parking so many blocks in all directions "is ridiculous," and would lead to more motorcycle thefts if the bikes move away from the Main Street corridor where police are concentrated. Tracey Remark has lived north of Seabreeze Boulevard for 33 years, and she remembers when biker event attendees were allowed to park in residential areas. When people came back for their motorcycles and cars at the end of the night, they were often drunk and loud, she said. Getting a police officer to respond during the event can take about two hours, Remark said. Ellis, who has run his Main Street tattoo shop for eight years, doesn't believe there is a beachside parking problem. "Why are we even talking about parking?" asked Ellis, who's chairman of the city's Beachside Redevelopment Board. "We have the Ocean Center lot, and if needed we could get a dedicated parking garage." The county government controls the Ocean Center parking lot. Rose Askew, a project manager with the city's Economic and Strategic Opportunities Department, led Monday night's meeting from a podium on the Peabody stage. Askew said the expanded parking into residential areas is an idea to address complaints about the lack of parking. Askew also heard complaints from established local tattoo businesses, whose owners said tattoo artists from out of town who do shoddy work will steal their business and ruin Daytona Beach's reputation for quality tattoos if those visiting artists are allowed to set up only during Bike Week and Biketoberfest. Losing that special event revenue would really hurt businesses, the Daytona owners said. "You're going to have businesses shut down," Ellis said. "It's a slap in the face of businesses that are here year-round. Our brick-and-mortar businesses have worked hard to build a community." The idea to raise fees for the first time in years also didn't go over well. Other proposed changes Askew listed were allowing indoor itinerant vendors, and allowing businesses to expand their outdoor Bike Week and Biketoberfest activities from 500 square feet to 900 square feet. Another idea is to allow businesses to expand the types of products they sell during the events. Askew said the city is trying to have the same rules across all Bike Week and Biketoberfest venues so something allowed in one area isn't prohibited in another. Askew invited anyone with comments on the biker event rules to email her at askewrose@ You can reach Eileen at This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Bike Week and Biketoberfest possible rule changes spark anger
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Louisiana-style restaurant and cigar lounge is the latest business on Main Street in Daytona Beach
Another new business is now open on Main Street in Daytona Beach. The investment gives the area a new look just in time for Bike Week and other significant events this year. Owner Steve Brock promises the businesses will be open year-round. Urban Soul Daiquiris and Wingz, located downstairs, offer an authentic taste of New Orleans. Upstairs, you will find a more relaxed vibe for cigar smokers at Urban Ash Cigar Lounge. 'You have your catfish, your fried catfish, your shrimp, your po'boys, your beignets. It's exciting to be part of the new wave of owners that's coming to Main Street,' said Brock. Read: Gatorland hosts its 2025 Wheely Fun Day for disabled children Commissioner Ken Strickland's goal is to build more brick-and-mortar businesses on Main Street, which has only come to life a couple of weeks out of the year for decades. 'That was one of my campaign things. I wanted this street to be one of the top 10 main streets in the state of Florida. We shouldn't have businesses sitting here on this street empty except for bike week and Biketoberfest,' said Strickland. Read: Southwest Airlines to offer non-stop flights from Orlando to Los Angeles Tom Caffrey, who owns the World's Most Famous Brewery, agrees and believes better days are ahead. 'Now that we are filling up those vacancies, it's going to be a huge boom to us and if we can continue that momentum, I think it will really help this area,' said Caffrey. Brock has big ideas planned for his bar and lounge. He looks forward to helping others succeed on the street, just as he's done. Read: Orange County leaders cut ribbon on new courthouse in Winter Park 'I have nothing against those people that come in during events. However, this economy will grow better if we have people here year-round. Because we have tourists here all the time,' said Brock. Bike week is just a few weeks away and that's when the street becomes busiest. However, the local merchants are working together to create other new events on the street when things slow down. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
