DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Over 500,000 bikers are starting to roll into the Daytona Beach area for the 84th annual Bike Week. The weeklong event officially kicks off Friday, offering a wide array of entertainment spread throughout the region.
Whether as a local getaway, a vacation, or an escape from the cold up north, thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts are riding into the area.
The crowds are expected to take over areas in Daytona Beach, DeLand, Ormond, and beyond.
”You hear that sound? It’s never going away because it is Bike Week,” said Johnny Sanchez, owner of John’s Rock ‘n Ride on Main Street.
For businesses in Daytona Beach, especially those on Main Street, Bike Week is a significant economic boost.
“I always make the joke — this is our ‘Black Friday.’ It’s a little bit longer than one day, but this is our Black Friday, and it definitely boosts business,” said Tom Betts at the World’s Most Famous Brewery.
The economic impact extends throughout Volusia County, Sanchez emphasized.
“Bike Week represents a lot of income for a lot of people — it ain’t just us on Main Street — it’s all over, and everybody depends on it,” said Sanchez.
Recently, the city held a meeting attended by over 100 business owners to discuss the future of events like Bike Week. The city is considering changes to aspects such as parking regulations and increasing vendor fees, which could affect future events if passed by the commission.
A city spokesperson told News 6 that a workshop will be held in the near future to discuss these changes, though a date has not yet been set.
“Everybody wants a little piece of the action, but you just got to play the game with the city,” said Sanchez.
As Bike Week kicks off, safety remains a top priority.
“Somehow, we have folks that come into town and wherever they’re going is more important than anyone else so because someone cuts you off in traffic, it shouldn’t invoke a violent response,” said police chief Jakari Young. “Wherever you go throughout the city over the next 10 days, please be patient.”