Volusia County business owners banking on boost from big Bike Week crowds

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Volusia County business owners are hopeful that this year’s Bike Week will be one of the biggest yet after years of dampened festivities due to the pandemic.

Ed “Heavy” Kastrul of Midwest Motorcycles says he’s renting out 80 bikes a day ahead of the event, about eight times more than he usually does.

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“Everything is busy, but rentals are off the chain,” he said. “Our rentals are through the roof.”

Kastrul said with COVID-19 restrictions loosening up across the country, more people are going to want to get out and come down and make this one of the biggest bike weeks yet.

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“Typically the year after a big 80th anniversary, the 81st would be a small one, but we are gangbusters this year,” he said. “We are really doing well.”

Hotels and motel owners said they also are doing well, with most saying they are already booked for the event.

Bike Week kicks off on Friday, March 4, and continues through Sunday, March 13.

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