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Here are roads to avoid during Myrtle Beach Bike Week if you hate traffic and driving safety tips

Bars and vendors are making final preparations today for the Myrtle Beach Bike Week 2023 Spring Rally which is expected to bring up to 300,000 bikers to the Grand Strand from May 12 through 21, 2023. Murrells Inlet bars are a population destination for riders. May 11, 2023.
Bars and vendors are making final preparations today for the Myrtle Beach Bike Week 2023 Spring Rally which is expected to bring up to 300,000 bikers to the Grand Strand from May 12 through 21, 2023. Murrells Inlet bars are a population destination for riders. May 11, 2023. JASON LEE

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Everything you need to know about MB Bike Weeks

Read The Sun News’ coverage of Myrtle Beach Bike Weeks.

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Myrtle Beach Bike Week is here. This means you’ll be sharing the road with an influx of motorcycles.

An estimated 300,000 bikers are expected to arrive in the Myrtle Beach area for the 2023 Harley Bike Week from Friday through May 21.

If you’re driving your car during this time, be sure to pay special attention on the roads in the coming days.

Keep this Spring 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?

Locals suggested staying away from busy highways and roads when bikers are in town, including both Highway 17 Business and Bypass, Highway 501 and Ocean Boulevard.

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, including the Marsh Walk.

Reader George in Murrells Inlet offered this advice to drivers during Bike Week in a Sun News poll, “Just be mindful and expect a ton of bikes…Slow down and pay attention.”

How can I safely share the road with motorcycles?

Myrtle Beach Bike Week 2021 Spring Rally welcomed thousands of bikers cruising into area bars on the south end of the Grand Strand. May 14, 2021.
Myrtle Beach Bike Week 2021 Spring Rally welcomed thousands of bikers cruising into area bars on the south end of the Grand Strand. May 14, 2021. JASON LEE

Here are tips for driving with motorcycles, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

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 is going to 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.

Eleanor Nash
The Sun News
Eleanor Nash is the Service Journalism Reporter at The Sun News. She answers the burning questions of Grand Strand residents. Send your Myrtle Beach mysteries to enash@thesunnews.com.
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Everything you need to know about MB Bike Weeks

Read The Sun News’ coverage of Myrtle Beach Bike Weeks.