Myrtle Beach tweaks ordinances in anticipation of motorcycle rallies

Many towns and cities will clean streets, hang banners or bring in extra beer, food and soft drinks in preparation of an upcoming motorcycle event.

The City of Myrtle Beach however buys noise meters and tweaks its legal process for ticketed offenders.

Aimed at regulating the motorcycle events that take place in or around Myrtle Beach in May which historically draws nearly 500,000 people, city officials have been adjusting the process for prosecuting and fining offenders from a set of ordinances new to the rallies this year. Local helmet and noise laws, ordinances regarding parking trailers or campers on city streets as well as general public behavior are all at local law enforcements disposal for the upcoming events.

Advocates for the stricter laws will be pleased to know that a new system for prosecuting ticketed offenders will save the city money and make the process more efficient.

The council's actions haven't gone without notice, the city is the defendant in four lawsuits filed since it passed the ordinances all involving area business owners worried about slower rallies translating to lost revenues.

There have also been rider-organized protests to the legal moves with the most recent being on February 28th when dozens of motorcyclists rode through the city helmetless, the day the helmet ordinance became effective.

The most drastic move came when the Carolina Harley-Davidson Dealers Association moved its longtime annual spring rally from Myrtle Beach, S.C., to New Bern on May 15-16.The New Bern Beach Rally is expected to attract 3,000 to 4,000 motorcycle enthusiasts and organizers are excited about the new location.

 "This new venue will allow us to get back to basics and offer our existing and new customers a rally experience they will appreciate without restrictions and with the ability to enjoy the freedom of riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle," association President Mark Cox said.

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