THIS WEEK: 77th Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week

This year approximately 500,000 people will make their way to Daytona Beach for the 77th annual Bike Week motorcycle event. Another week of beautiful choppers lined up along the streets of Daytona Beach. The forecast according to weather.com should be relatively dry with only a few evening showers Sunday afternoon.

The Bike Week rally began in 1937 and with the exception of a few years during World War II, has continued to run and be a popular event for bike enthusiasts around the country. The annual event is a big deal around Florida and comes with many benefits to local businesses. The influx of tourists in to the small central Florida region comes with many perks that have a trickle down effect of millions rolling into the economy. However, Bike Week has seen an increase in trauma cases.

In 2017, according to a report by the Daytona Beach News journal, “An unusually high number of intensive care patients were admitted during this year’s Bike Week — making it one of the most dangerous Bike Weeks that Daytona Beach has seen in years. Overall, trauma admissions spiked this year compared to the previous five years. There was a total of 69 Bike Week-related trauma patients wheeled through the doors at Halifax Health Medical Center during the 10-day event that concluded March 19, according to statistics provided by the hospital.”

The report concluded there was 54 Bike Week related trauma patients admitted during the event. This increase isn’t surprising given the states current track record on motorcycle safety. According to the motorcycle injury attorneys at Chalik & Chalik, "Florida is one of the most dangerous places to ride in the country and while Daytona police try their best to make sure everyone is safe, accidents and trauma do happen and by the looks of last year they don’t seem to be decreasing. "

The bulk of these accidents occur due to driver distraction or driving under the influence. Many of these situations can easily happen during Bike Week. Making sure you stay hydrated, avoid driver distraction and driving under the influence can increase your chances of having an amazing time at Daytona Beach Bike Week!

With Florida leading the nation with Bicycle fatalities, it’s important to use extra safety precautions and have a solid idea about what the motorcycle safety laws are in Florida to avoid any accidents.

Official Bike Week Calendar of Events
Official Bike Week Welcome Center March 09, 2018 to March 18, 2018
Downtown Campground for Bike Week March 09, 2018 to March 18, 2018
77th Anniversary of Bike Week 2018 March 09, 2018 to March 18, 2018
Cabbage Patch March 09, 2018 to March 18, 2018
Cacklebery Campground Bike Week 2018 March 09, 2018 to March 09, 2018
Dirty Harry's 2018 Bike Week Event March 09, 2018 to March 18, 2018
Main Street Station the Heart of Bike Week 2018 March 09, 2018 to March 18, 2018
(The entire bike week calendar can be found here)

Motorcycle Laws in Florida

• Eye protection is a requirement
• Lane splitting is prohibited in Florida, but two riders may ride next to one another in the same lane
• Muffler noise can’t exceed 86 decibels
• Passengers must have their own seat and a foot rest
• No matter the time of day, a headlight must always be on
• Turn signals are required
• Handlebars can’t be higher that the riders shoulders while seated
• Bike must have mirrors on the left and right side of the bike

According to the official bike week site, the event will formally begin at 5 a.m March 9th and will run until March 18th 2018.