Bike Week (merged twice now)

[SilverInliner]

It is the third day of Daytona Bike Week and six riders have already died that I've heard of.

[Clint]

You'll never find me there. What a bunch of crap.

[azoazc]

Bike Week is awesome!!! Well, if you like spending an hour in traffic to move 100 yards. Yeah, it sucks.

[GIXXER-Mike]

Originally Posted by SilverInliner

It is the third day of Daytona Bike Week and six riders have already died that I've heard of.

Dangers of a major event. Had a friend go to Myrtle Beach last year and he was sitting in traffic unable to move when some guy doing a wheelie hit him on the left side. Broke his leg in three places. It's almost a year later and my friends leg is still in a weird looking brace thing w/limited mobility.

I'd love to attend a major biking event still but my work schedule somehow overtakes it. I plan to catch one this summer...u betcha !

[Jerryzuki]

I'm heading for Daytona tomorrow. I wonder how many auto related fatalities they had in the Daytona area this week. Wonder how many crack heads killed each other in the inner city. I also wonder if those 6 deaths are roomers or truly a fact. I'm not saying that it isn't dangerous. It's just that when you have that many people in one area things are going to happen whether on a bike or otherwise. I just hope I ain’t one of the statistics.

[Danr]

Originally Posted by Jerryzuki

I'm heading for Daytona tomorrow. I wonder how many auto related fatalities they had in the Daytona area this week. Wonder how many crack heads killed each other in the inner city. I also wonder if those 6 deaths are roomers or truly a fact. I'm not saying that it isn't dangerous. It's just that when you have that many people in one area things are going to happen whether on a bike or otherwise. I just hope I ain’t one of the statistics.

Dont miss going to the speedway, all the Metric manufacturers are there, plus loads of venders and IMHO a more sane group of people. Only saw one A*s on a ninja do a dumb wheelie for 50 or so feet at speed. Have fun !

[drgibson]

Biketoberfest in October was large enough for me.

[Rickster]

Going to a big bike bash like Daytona, or Sturgis is something you have to do with an open mind. You will see everything there from the best to the worst that our society has to offer. Unfortunately our news media focuses on the worst, and that's to bad, because it can be a great time, and it's something that you will never forget.

[texrider]

I love going to bike events and riding insane wheelies, while intoxicated, on my full-suspension allterrain bicycle ('04 Mongoose Tech4)

[sunny]

i'm just not fond of the idea of seeing naked chicks and naked beer bellies as far as the eye can see.

now if the chippendale guys were into bikes...

[stp1971]

I think it is something you have to see at least once. I bet they are not reporting how many riders were drunk or riding impaired. I know we saw quite a few of them dumbtails @ Biketoberfest. But gather any large group together with attitudes, engines, and alcohol and there is sure to be some problems.

I still like going,, but when there you have to be more cautious for the jackposterior of ones anatomy while there.

[semnole13]

Being a Daytona Beach native, I catch up on the local happenings at the below link since I am about 13 hours away and could not make Bike Week this year. There's a special section for Bike Week. Next time your down there, try and meet a local. Not all locals, but some will give alternate routes to destinations and you will not have to sit in traffic. Just my .02 cents.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/

[HAMMERPETE]

Originally Posted by sunny

i'm just not fond of the idea of seeing naked chicks and naked beer bellies as far as the eye can see.

now if the chippendale guys were into bikes...

Sunny...come on. It is not that bad. it has toned down quite a bit.
I only saw one half naked chic. And that was mine!
The fatalities..were they actual. I know there are always rumours of fatalities.
Last year at biketober fest I know 4 bikes died. the first pair was riding and broke down when they were hit by a car..then the exact same bike stops to help and they were hit and killed by the exact same style car that killed the first two.
This was the only fatality I heard of..but as rumours go..over 20 got killed.
I got the real story from my EMT friend. We sat on the balcony and over heard the mass carnage of 11 people being killed. In fact it was only the 4 that were involved.
Bike week is an experience.
I had the thought of beer drinking and a bunch of hell raisers during this event. First time we went down there..it was aweasome. Some of the coolest people we have ever met. People from all over..and to my suprise very polite and respectful. Yeah you can encounter a butthead or two..but go to have a good time and you will see it is!
Ask STP..I do believe this is what turned him into the road warrior he is today.

[JAX_MIKE]

its a great experience, i went last weekend and had a blast. we parked the bikes and walked around rather than putting along at 2mph on main street trying to look at things at the same time.

that said, there will always be idiots out there, both driving cars and riding bikes. when you have a million or more bikes congregated together, there will be some incidents but im sure its no more per capita than normal. i can tell you that i saw thousands and thousands of bikes on the road in one day alone so an average of 1 death/day for all of those riders isnt bad. especially when you consider the idiots out there not wearing helmets and gear, drinking and then riding, showing off, etc. we had a group of 3 sportbikes pass us, in our lane, weaving between us going at least 10mph faster than we were riding and they werent wearing helmets or any protective gear.

it has nothing to do with the event, its just darwinism as work.

[sunny]

problem is, the idiots can have a negative effect on YOUR life.

i don't want to be darwinized.

[Bryana_fl]

Not a good year for Bike Week accidents.

This is as of Saturday. It really makes you think

WFTV.com
Related To Story


A biker was killed on State Road 40 on Friday when a Stanley Steamer van pulled out in front of him and another motorcyclist.


FHP: Bike Week 2006 Deadliest In 65 years

POSTED: 5:23 pm EST March 11, 2006
UPDATED: 10:43 am EST March 12, 2006

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Bike Week 2006 is the deadliest since the event began 65 years ago, with 18 motorcyclists dying in the past eight days, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

Three bikers died in separate accidents Saturday, and four more died Friday, spokeswoman Trooper Kim Miller said.

This year's deaths surpass the 15 deaths recorded in 2000, previously the most deadly Bike Week on record.

Authorities confirmed that a biker who died in Seminole County early Saturday, Richard Highsmith, 43, of Orlando, was returning home from Bike Week. Brian Rooke, 44, of West Palm Beach, died Saturday afternoon after hitting a guardrail. Another biker whose identity was not immediately released died at about 7 p.m. in Ormond Beach.

"We still have a day and a half to go and the last weekend is typically the busiest with more activities," Miller said.

Authorities attributed the spike in deaths to the sunny weather, which caused a rise in Bike Week attendance.

The number of alcohol related deaths dipped this year, and helmet use was up, Miller said.

Walter Fliss, 51, of St. Cloud, had just bought his motorcycle when he crashed into a construction sight and died around 11:30 p.m. Friday, authorities said. Jason P. Perron, 21, of Apopka; David H. Hudson, 63, of Lake Wales and another unidentified biker also died Friday night.

At least 14 of the 18 bikers who have died were Florida residents, Miller said.

The number of Bike Week motorcycle accidents is so high -- at least 225 since March 3 -- that paramedics planned to put four extra ambulances on the road Saturday night, EVAC Ambulance spokesman Mark O'Keefe said.

Bike Week, which brings thousands of bikers from around the country to Daytona, continues through Sunday. Eight motorcycle-related deaths were reported during last year's event.

[St0nkingByte]

http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.a...18836&nav=3w6o

Since the event began eight days ago, there has been more than 164 motorcycle accidents, causing dozens of injuries and killing at least 16 people.

Last year eight people died in motorcycle related crashes during Bike Week.

[Bluecruzer]

Yep

[Trapper]

It's nice to hear helmet useage is up. But I wonder how many of the 18 were without head protection. If anyone hears, let us know.

[dragbar]

Every story I read showed no head protection, but #'s overall I didn't count.

Anyone hurt is 2 much, but with 500,000 in attendance, the deaths are closer to .003% and accidents near .04% of the people there. So don't let the thought of accidents shy anyone away from these gatherings if you want to go.

Just use your head to ride with (not stop your movement with) and your biggest problem will be remembering where you parked.