Read more: Local, Bike Rally, Spring Bike Events, Myrtle Beach, Anti Rally Ordinances, Numbers, Down for the Harley Event
Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes
One bike rally is history and one remains this month. They're the first spring bike events since Myrtle Beach's new anti-rally ordinances went into effect. With the numbers way down for the Harley event, is the city declaring victory?
NewsChannel 15 talked to Mayor John Rhodes Monday. He says the laws did what city council wanted them to. While motel owners say, if the intent was to drive them out of business, well, it's mission accomplished.
Bhavin Patel and his family have operated the Super 8 Motel on Ocean Boulevard for ten years. But this year could be his last, partly because of the recession but mostly because of the loss of business during Harley week.
He said, "This year, I had one biker that came back and all of my other regulars did not come back."
Next door at the Seahawk Motel, owner Fred Smith isn't sure he'll keep going, either. He says business in Myrtle Beach will suffer for more than just those few days in may when bikers are here. "Most all of those came back a couple more times during the summer with their families. And they've all said they won't be back."
Mayor John Rhodes says city council's intent was to gain control over what's going on in the city and continue the quality of life residents expect. He says, the new laws got that across to bikers. "They rode with respect and that respect is the one thing that we've been trying to get them to do ever since I came into office."
Rhodes says bikers and their supporters who made "Not a Dime in '09" in Myrtle Beach their rallying cry, need to take some responsibility for the loss of business. He says those losses can be made up, not in the same numbers as the Harleys, but with other groups.
"You also have convention business, you got golfers still coming, and you've got just couples that come down and get away to the beach without the kids," Rhodes said.
Bike rally organizer Mike Shank supported Rhodes for mayor when he ran four years ago. Shank says he doesn't exactly regret that. He says Rhodes seemed like the best candidate at the time, but rally supporters will definitely work to defeat Rhodes and other councilmen up for election this year.
