DAYTONA BEACH --
As a half-million people roll into the Daytona Beach area for Bike Week 2012, there's talk of expanding its sister event, Biketoberfest beyond its four days.
Those who run the event say a ten-day Biketoberfest would do wonders for the area economy during what is normally the slowest part of the tourist season. In fact, Biketoberfest was originally designed to do just that, but it has largely been kept to a one-weekend event.
Opponents, and there are many, say they don't want the extra traffic and noise associated with the motorcycle events.
Several neighborhood associations which are near the motorcycle hotspots have expressed their concerns.
Buddy Kunselman lives a block from Main Street, the epicenter of Bike Week and Biketoberfest. He doesn't share his neighbor's concerns.
He tells News 13 "it brings millions in now, with ten days here. Ten days in October, a lot of people like October weather than they like March weather so it's going to build up real big."
And Dan Wastler, who lives just blocks away from that same Main Street says he appreciates the bikers.
"These folks are not trouble. Ok? I mean, the average biker is 45, 50 years old. You know, if you can afford 40-thousand dollars for a motorcycle, I think you're probably at the upper crust of society,” said Wastler.
But if Biketoberfest is to expand to ten days, it needs the support of the Daytona Beach City Commission.
The city issues permits for vendors, and without the permits, talk of extra days for Biketoberfest will remain just that, talk.
So far, a few commissioners have said they've got big questions about that expansion.
A talk is scheduled for this Friday.
The Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce is holding an "Eggs and Issues" breakfast March 16 at Gene's Steakhouse at 3674 West International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach.
The event, which features a presentation on an expanded Biketoberfest gets underway at 7:45 a.m.
The cost is $15 for chamber members and $20 for non-members.
http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/3/10/ten_days_of_biketobe
And Dan Wastler, who lives just blocks away from that same Main Street says he appreciates the bikers.
"These folks are not trouble. Ok? I mean, the average biker is 45, 50 years old. You know, if you can afford 40-thousand dollars for a motorcycle, I think you're probably at the upper crust of society,” said Wastler.
But if Biketoberfest is to expand to ten days, it needs the support of the Daytona Beach City Commission.
The city issues permits for vendors, and without the permits, talk of extra days for Biketoberfest will remain just that, talk.
So far, a few commissioners have said they've got big questions about that expansion.
A talk is scheduled for this Friday.
The Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce is holding an "Eggs and Issues" breakfast March 16 at Gene's Steakhouse at 3674 West International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach.
The event, which features a presentation on an expanded Biketoberfest gets underway at 7:45 a.m.
The cost is $15 for chamber members and $20 for non-members.
http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/3/10/ten_days_of_biketobe
