Biketoberfest is growing up fast! Established in 1993 with a goal of attracting visitors to the Daytona Beach area during the fall value season, Biketoberfest has quickly grown into one of America's most recognized motorcycle festivals. This year the popular autumn festival - which features motorcycle events throughout the region, including popular street festivals, charity rides, concerts, expos and other motorcycle-related activities - celebrates its "Sweet 16." With tens of thousands of bikers expected to roar into town, a local task force is launching a public information campaign to make the roads safer for motorcyclists and locals. The messages will be "Look twice, save a life" and "None for the Road."
Main Street in Daytona Beach isn't full yet, but by Friday traffic will bottleneck to a crawl, so the local visitors bureau has launched a new safety campaign.
Thirty-four billboards with the slogans already have been placed throughout Volusia County. Local firefighters and police officers will place 2,000 temporary signs along roadways before bikers arrive.
The task force includes representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation, Institute of Police Technology and Management, Florida Highway Patrol, EVAC Ambulance and Volusia County Government.
According to national and local statistics, about half of motorcycle fatalities are caused by motorists, most often when a motorist turns left in front of a biker.
"Our basic message to local motorists is that they should use extra caution during Biketoberfest," said Kim Miller of the Florida Highway Patrol. "Motorcycles are everywhere, and sometimes they're hard to see. We're asking motorists to slow down and look twice before pulling into traffic or approaching an intersection."
Motorcycle accidents caused by bikers are usually related to impairment, speed or inexperience, Miller noted. The "None for the Road" campaign, developed by the Florida Department of Transportation, will target bikers.
This year's campaign was funded in part by the Florida Department of Transportation. Lamar Advertising Co. donated the billboard space for the campaign.
Safety tips for motorists
Sharing the roads with motorcycles requires special attention. The Biketoberfest Safety Task Force encourages motorists to follow these safety tips throughout the year, but especially during Biketoberfest:
- Double-check traffic at intersections before you turn or pull out.
- Check your blind spots before changing lanes.
- Treat motorcyclists with the same respect you give to other motorists.
- Stay focused on your driving. Avoid distractions such as talking on your cell phone, eating, or changing radio stations.
- Leave at least a four-second distance between your car and a motorcycle in front of you. Note when a motorcycle passes a point in the road. If your vehicle passes the same point before you count "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, one thousand four," you're following too closely.
- When passing a motorcycle, give a full lane to the motorcycle.
- Keep a watchful eye at all times. Because they're small, motorcycles are hard to see.
- Remember that failure to yield right-of-way can result in the death of a motorcyclist.
Biketoberfest 2008 Fast Facts
Projected Economic Impact
With an annual attendance of approximately 125,000-175,000, Biketoberfest 2008 will pump an estimated $214 million of economic impact into Volusia County. The once local event now has countywide and regional impact.
Value Pricing
Value-seeking visitors will find budget-friendly pricing during Biketoberfest. With more than 12,000 rooms in the Daytona Beach area - starting at $99, and many with no minimums - there is truly something for everyone's budget and style. The CVB's official website, Biketoberfest.org, offers a convenient way to book. It posts current hotel availability lists to save guests from calling around, and it contains live links to available hotels' booking engines, making for true one-stop service. Biketoberfest visitors will find plenty of great, low-cost entertainment this year. Most biker establishments have no cover charge, and most area attractions, parks and museums are available at a minimal charge.
Ah, the many splendors of Biketoberfest! With so much to see and do, attendees to this year's festival are advised to pay attention to their surroundings.
A new Florida law (CS/HB 137) that took effect October 1 requires motorcycles and mopeds to keep both wheels on the ground at all times, requires that license plates be mounted horizontally, and provides additional penalties and fines for certain offenses. For more information visit
www.myfloridahouse.gov.
Safety Campaign
With tens of thousands of bikers expected to roar into town for Biketoberfest this month, the local Biketoberfest Safety Task Force is launching a public information campaign to make the roads safer for motorcyclists and locals alike. The messages will be "Look twice, save a life" and "None for the road." Thirty-four billboards with the slogans already have been placed throughout Volusia County. Local firefighters and police officers will place 2,000 temporary signs along roadways before the bikers arrive. For more information contact Pat Kuehn, Volusia County Community Information, (386) 748-3989 or pkuehn@co.volusia.fl.us
Free Bike Parking
Three of the area's biggest event venues -- Main Street, Bruce Rossmeyer's Destination Daytona, and Daytona International Speedway -- are offering free Biketoberfest(R) parking this year. In addition, the Speedway is offering free infield admission during its Fall Cycle Scene motorcycle races. Also at the Speedway, the official attraction of NASCAR, The Daytona 500 Experience, will go by the name of D5X as it celebrates with food, beverages, daily entertainment and free admission Oct. 17-18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information on Biketoberfest, visit
www.biketoberfest.org or call the Biketoberfest hotline at 1-866-296-8970. For year-round information on what the Daytona Beach area has to offer motorcycle enthusiasts, visit the sister website of Biketoberfest.org --
www.bikerbeach.com
