Myrtle Beach bike rally gets a facelift, new rules

By Lorena Anderson

It hasn’t even officially started yet, and the Harley-Davidson motorcycle rally is already different than other years.

Though the spring Cruisin’ the Coast rally has been promoted as running from today through May 17, because Horry County has limited vendor permits to seven days, most of the vendors won’t be open until Monday.

Usually in the days before a rally begins, people can watch motorcycles grow as a presence along the Grand Strand. But so far, the roads have been quiet.

     Vendors

The first vendor booths open today at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, but most of the booths and events start Monday.

Myrtle Beach Speedway

This is the first time the speedway will be the hub of activities for the Harley-Davidson Cruisin’ the Coast spring rally. Vendor booths open at 10 a.m. Monday, and live music begins about noon. There will be rotating biker games, stunt riders and more. The speedway, on Hospitality Lane just off U.S. 501 near the Tanger Outlets, is going to be home to the rally center through May 16 and will be open daily until about 6 p.m.

Helmet law

Helmets are now required within the city limits of Myrtle Beach. Helmet violations are infractions and will land you a $100 fine.

If you do get a ticket, you can pay the fine at the clerk of court’s office in the Law Enforcement Center at the corner of Oak Street and Mr. Joe White Avenue.

Checkpoints

The city of Myrtle Beach has never held traffic checkpoints during the May motorcycle rallies before, said police Capt. David Knipes. This year, the police department has scheduled several:

From noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, on Ocean Boulevard between Eighth and Ninth avenues north;

From 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, on Farrow Parkway at Warbird Park;

From 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, on U.S. 501 at the eastbound U.S. 17 Bypass;

From 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, on U.S. 501 at the eastbound U.S. 17 Bypass.

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