Driver tips for Myrtle Beach Fall Bike Week 2023 — biker hot spots and how to share the road
Myrtle Beach Fall Bike Week is almost here. This means you’ll be sharing the road with an influx of motorcycles.
An estimated 25,000 bikers are expected to arrive in the Myrtle Beach area for the 2023 Fall Motorcycle Rally from Oct. 2 through Oct. 8.
If you’re driving your car or truck during this time, be sure to pay special attention on the roads in the coming days.
Keep this fall rally safe and accident-free by knowing where bikers frequent and following these tips when sharing the road with motorcycles.
What roads have the most motorcycle traffic, so I can avoid them?
Expect more motorcycle traffic around biker hot spots. Bike Week events and bars are spread all throughout the Grand Strand, with clusters in North Myrtle Beach, including Barefoot Landing, and Murrells Inlet, near the Marsh Walk.
When an estimate 300,000 bikers arrived for Spring Bike Week this May, locals suggested staying away from busy highways and roads. They advised avoiding both Highway 17 Business and Bypass, Highway 501 and Ocean Boulevard.
How can I safely share the road with motorcycles?
Here are tips for driving with motorcycles, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
“Please watch out for our family on two wheels,” wrote Bill Barber with Suck Bang Blow, in a press release.
As always, you should take care to follow general road safety tips, like keeping your eyes on the road, driving sober and staying at the speed limit.
Leave motorcycles the whole width of their lane. If a biker moves within their lane, they could be avoiding debris on the road or accounting for wind, not showing off.
Because of their small size, motorcycles can get hidden in a car’s blind spot more easily than a larger vehicle. Take care to look around you when turning, merging or changing lanes.
Many times, motorcycles slow down without their brake lights turning on. Keep plenty of space between the back of the motorcycle and the front of your car to give you time to stop.
Don’t automatically assume a biker will turn if they have their turn signal on. Give the motorcycle time to complete their maneuver. Turn signals on motorcycles don’t automatically turn off, so bikers may forget they left them on.
