Ready for Black Bike Week? Here’s what to do, where to go and how to avoid a ticket
The start of the summer season in the Myrtle Beach area also brings Black Bike Week, a 40-year-old motorcycle rally that started in Atlantic Beach.
There will be thousands of bikers along the Grand Strand, mostly staying in the North Myrtle Beach and Atlantic Beach area. It will run from Friday, May 24, through Monday, May 27.
Bikers should be aware of traffic ordinances, which includes revving of engines and other laws.
Here’s what to know for the upcoming rally.
What events are going on?
During the rally, the town of Atlantic Beach will throw a festival with food, music and retail vendors, said Code Enforcement Officer Michael Gore. There will be events from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday.
There will also be many house parties thrown by various motorcycle clubs in the North Myrtle Beach area. Check out the Official Black Bike Week 2024 Facebook group to find fliers and information for events. It’s also easy to cruise around to find house parties.
Popular bars include Hooters and Twin Peaks at the Myrtle Beach Mall and the Sky Bar along Main Street in North Myrtle Beach.
Where to cruise and show off motorcycles
Atlantic Beach will set up a U-shaped chute for people to cruise and show off their motorcycles. Gore said people will be able to enter on 31st Avenue South, turn left on Ocean Boulevard and turn on to 29th Avenue to exit to U.S. 17.
Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, especially near the Boardwalk, will also likely have many bikes, but it will be harder to drive around. Only the southbound lane will be open along that section of the boulevard.
People also frequently park their motorcycles at the Myrtle Beach Mall parking lot and hang out.
Where heaviest traffic will be
Expect traffic to be the busiest in Myrtle Beach on Ocean Boulevard from 29th Avenue North to where it connects to U.S. 17. That’s where a five-mile chute will be formed, allowing traffic only in the southbound lane.
On U.S. 17 around Atlantic Beach and the Myrtle Beach Mall will also likely be full of vehicles. Atlantic Beach will block the lane along U.S. 17 closest to the ocean for local traffic, Gore said.
Motorcycle laws to know
In Myrtle Beach, up to two motorcycles can park in one parking spot but both have to pay. Two motorcycles may ride in one lane at a time and there is no weaving in between cars.
In South Carolina, anyone under the age of 21 is required to wear a helmet and goggles. Riding on the beach or marshes is prohibited.
Myrtle Beach ordinances prohibit excessive noise, including noise created by loud music, revving engines and spinning tires.Violating the ordinance is a misdemeanor and could include a fine of up to $500 or 30 days in jail.
Horry County bans motorcycle burnouts and excessive engine revving and acceleration. It also requires engines to have mufflers.
Excessive honking for reasons other than a danger warning is also prohibited in Horry County and Myrtle Beach. County quiet hours are from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., so drivers must turn down music and hold off on shouting during that period.
South Carolina is a “dead red” state, meaning if a motorcycle sits at a red light for at least two minutes they can run the light, provided it is safe to do so. This is because vehicle detection systems on lights do not always pick up motorcycles.
