Bikers, business owners expecting large turnout for Biketoberfest with no pandemic restrictions

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Business owners, tourists, and vendors are expecting a major bounce-back for the 2021 Biketoberfest rally starting in Daytona Beach this week.

The annual bike rally draws more than 120,000 people to Volusia County each year.

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This year’s rally starts Thursday. Today, Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young provided an update on their plans for managing traffic during the event.

With this being Central Florida’s first restriction-free bike event since the pandemic began, Young says he expects the 29th edition of Biketoberfest to look more like those of years past.

“We will maintain a pretty heavy presence down on Main Street.,” Young said.

Ed “Heavy” Kastrul owns Midwest Motorcycle on Beach Street. He says he’s also expecting a large turnout.

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“This year is going to be a good year,” Kastrul said. “It’s starting earlier than normal, and we are already on top of our numbers.”

The City of Daytona Beach didn’t issue permits to outside vendors during last year’s Biketoberfest because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision is estimated to have cut the crowds by a third.

Some bikers say they expect this year to be different with everything up and running.

“This year, the way everyone is talking, is going to be one of the largest, so we decided to get here a little early,” biker Tim Hill said.

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Police plan to close main street to bikers only and limit curbside parking there to allow for more physical distancing on the sidewalks.

For more information on what to expect at this year’s BIketoberfest, click here.

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Cox Media Group