Daytona Beach Bike Week
Encyclopedia
Daytona Beach Bike Week, also called Daytona Bike Week, is a motorcycle
event and rally
held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida
. Approximately 500,000 people make their way to the rally area for the 10-day event. The festivities include motorcycle racing, concerts, parties, and street festivals. The event is usually held on the first full week of March and contends with the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
as the most popular motorcycle rally in the United States.
race on January 24, 1937. This first race was a 3.2 miles (5.1 km) beach and pavement course. It was won by Ed Kretz
from California riding an Indian motorcycle with an average speed of 73.34 mph (118 km/h).
This yearly race took a break from 1942 to 1947 due to World War II
. During the years off, an unofficial event was still taking place commonly called Bike Week.
In 1947 the official race resumed and gained in popularity. The event was then promoted by the late William France Sr.
, co-founder of NASCAR
.
There have been a number of deaths at the festival due to rider accidents.
and the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.
, although some participants arrive on Columbus Day weekend and visit for the entire week. Part of the fun is a twelve-mile ride along a scenic route, known as the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail
. Daytona International Speedway also sponsors some motorcycle races to coincide with the dates of Biketoberfest.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
event and rally
Motorcycle rally
A motorcycle rally is a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts. Rallies can be large or small, and one-time or recurring. Some rallies are ride-in events, whereas some like the Iron Butt Rally involve days of riding and an actual gathering only at the end of the ride.-North America:Notable annual...
held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Approximately 500,000 people make their way to the rally area for the 10-day event. The festivities include motorcycle racing, concerts, parties, and street festivals. The event is usually held on the first full week of March and contends with the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an American motorcycle rally held annually in Sturgis, South Dakota, usually the first full week of August.-History:...
as the most popular motorcycle rally in the United States.
History
The Daytona Beach Bike Week rally started as the Daytona 200Daytona 200
The Daytona 200 is a 68-lap, motorcycle race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.-History:The race evolved from a beach racing venue in 1937 to the Daytona International Speedway course in 1961....
race on January 24, 1937. This first race was a 3.2 miles (5.1 km) beach and pavement course. It was won by Ed Kretz
Ed Kretz
Ed Kretz, Sr. , aka Ed "Iron Man" Kretz, was a motorcycle racer in the 1930s and 1940s.Kretz was known for riding rough. He strove to finish, and win, every race. He rode #38, usually on an Indian motorcycle.Kretz was best known for winning the first Daytona 200 race in 1937, riding an Indian...
from California riding an Indian motorcycle with an average speed of 73.34 mph (118 km/h).
This yearly race took a break from 1942 to 1947 due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. During the years off, an unofficial event was still taking place commonly called Bike Week.
In 1947 the official race resumed and gained in popularity. The event was then promoted by the late William France Sr.
William France Sr.
William Henry Getty France Sr. , also known by Bill France Sr. or Big Bill, was an American race car driver. He is best known for co-founding and managing NASCAR, a sanctioning body of United States-based stock car racing.-Early life:France was born in Washington, D. C...
, co-founder of NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
.
There have been a number of deaths at the festival due to rider accidents.
| Year | Deaths | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 15 | Record at the time (only surpassed in 2006). |
| 2001 | 6 | |
| 2002 | 13 | |
| 2003 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 20 | Highest recorded annual death toll. |
| 2007 | 8 | |
| 2008 | 7 | |
| 2009 | 7 | |
| 2010 | 5 | |
| 2011 | 6 |
Law enforcement
Law enforcement for Bike Week is provided by the Daytona Beach Police DepartmentDaytona Beach Police Department
The Daytona Beach Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for Daytona Beach, Florida. There are 241 sworn full-time police officers, 105 sworn part-time officers and 81 civilians on the force which is headed by Michael Chitwood who serves as the chief, with Deputy Police Chief Ben...
and the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.
Trademark dispute
In April 2009, a New York-based holding company named Mettemp filed a claim in the State of New York as being the owner of the phrase "Daytona Beach Bike Week." Daytona Beach area businesses that have marketed t-shirts and other products with this slogan have been contacted by the NY company, claiming infringement of trademark. The Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, which actually sponsors the Bike Week event, has challenged the NY Trademark and has hired the law firm of Cobb Cole to contest Mettemp's claim and block the New York company's bid to obtain a federal trademark.Biketoberfest
In 1991, the Daytona Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau created a second motorcycle festival event in October, named Biketoberfest. Biketoberfest is usually scheduled for the weekend immediately following Columbus DayColumbus Day
Many countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492, as an official holiday...
, although some participants arrive on Columbus Day weekend and visit for the entire week. Part of the fun is a twelve-mile ride along a scenic route, known as the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail
Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail
The Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail is a series of scenic state and county highways in Volusia County, Florida.CR 2002 is the northern leg of the trail. CR 4011 is the western leg, with a spur onto Pine Tree Drive. SR 40 is the southern leg of the trail...
. Daytona International Speedway also sponsors some motorcycle races to coincide with the dates of Biketoberfest.