Bike Week 2011 roars into Daytona Beach, drawing thousands of motorcycle riders to Florida

OFF THE WIRE
Here's what you need to know about Bike Week 2011


DAYTONA BEACH
Bike Week 2011 officially opens Friday, but the roaring and rumbling on Main Street proves there are plenty of early arrivals to what many consider the world's largest motorcycle rally.
Organizers are hoping for a strong turnout, providing a badly needed boost to the local economy, but also for a safe and trouble-free event.
Here are the top 10 tidbits about Bike Week 2011:

Traditions
What brings the throngs back year after year isn't what changes, but what stays the same. Bike Week 2011 is the 70th annual event, dating to the 1937 motorcycle race on the beach. Only World War II pre-empted it.
It's still all about the best-looking bikes, the smell of leather, the ear-splitting pipes, Old Glory waving, tributes to veterans, the beer and the biker babes. Coleslaw wrestling is scheduled for Wednesday, bike blessings for Sunday, and the Daytona 200 motorcycle race next weekend.
Main Street vendors
Tents and temporary stages are filling up every square inch of Main Street, the row of saloons where motorcycle riders have always partied. Daytona Beach officials, though, lament that the street is nearly vacant for 50 weeks of the year. City commissioners want to make the street viable all year but for now are happy to see the temporary tents.

Crowds
Bike Week at its peak brought in more than a half-million motorcyclists to Central Florida. It has become harder to estimate crowd size, although 400,000 motorcyclists is the best guess. Hotels are filling up, and traffic on the roads is building.
Weather
The Florida weather remains one of the biggest reasons for Bike Week's success. Snowbound riders stream to Daytona by the thousands, seeking an escape from winter weather. Early arrivals to Bike Week 2011 include riders from Ohio, Pennsylvania and even Ontario.
"It is 10 degrees and 3 feet of snow back home," said Ron Germaine of Springfield, Mass. "We're here to enjoy ourselves, the sun, the people, and frankly, the women."
Even day-to-day changes have an effect: Cool weather makes leather merchants cheer, but warmer weather means the attire gets more risqué.
Accidents
Fatal Bike Week crashes peaked with 21 people killed in the region in 2006. Recent years have seen fewer Bike Week deaths, but state transportation officials said Volusia, Orange and Brevard are among the leading counties in Florida for deadly motorcycle accidents.Safety ads on billboards remind other motorists to look out for motorcycles. Research from the Florida Motorcycle Safety Coalition shows motorists are at fault in more than 60 percent of crashes with motorcycles.

Crime
Not only are accidents down, but Daytona Beach police are seeing less crime. Police Chief Mike Chitwood said 62 motorcycles were stolen in the city during the 2006 event, but a program that lures thieves with "bait bikes" has reduced that number. Enforcement remains strict, yet citations are down too, the chief said. And the nights when residents lost sleep from the roaring sound of exhaust pipes has long been over.

Souvenirs
You can't leave Bike Week without a souvenir T-shirt, but the Bike Week name itself is in some controversy. A Brooklyn company wants the federal trademark for it.
The Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce has been fighting the company since threatening letters were sent to competing vendors. The chamber's federal lawsuit is pending, and the T-shirt sales continue. New this year, though, are tents with officially sanctioned shirts.

Racing
Motorcycle racing started it all, and racing fans can look forward to the Daytona 200 on March 12. Daytona International Speedway, though, has moved around the event calendar. The Daytona Supercross runs this weekend, with several other motocross events throughout the week.

No bike, no problem
Bike Week venues will see plenty of traffic from four-wheel vehicles. The people-watching is just too much fun for non-motorcyclists to miss out. Those pondering a set of two wheels can try out demo rides available. Sales of new and used bikes remain brisk, and Bike Week always has a flourishing business for parts and accessories.

Bike Week App
Even for Bike Week, yes, there is an app for that. The Daytona chamber has set up a Bike Week app for iPhone users, complete with the official calendar of events. Android phone users, though, will have to wait for theirs.
llelis@tribune.com
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