Daytona City Commission approves plans for Bike Week

Following that, no vendor permits were issued for the October “Biketoberfest” event. All that left 2021 Daytona Bike Week as a big question mark.

This week, the Daytona Beach City Commission voted six to one to issue permits for outdoor vendors and entertainment. In exchange for getting a permit, bars, restaurants and other businesses have to limit indoor crowds to 60 percent of capacity. Bike Week is on for March 5 to 14.

Though several commissioners expressed concerns, they ultimately voted in favor of the Bike Week master plan, noting that both business owners and most citizens they talked to were in favor of going ahead with Bike Week because of its economic importance. Commissioners and members of the public who spoke also noted that people will come anyway, so it's better to have a plan in place than try to stop it.

Ruth Trager, the one commissioner who voted "no," said she sympathized with business owners because she has suffered business setbacks herself, due to the pandemic. But she added, "Economic difficulties most often can be overcome. Unfortunately, if you die, you ain't coming back."

What will Bike Week look like?

American Flat Track will kick start its 2021 schedule on the Volusia Half Mile with a doubleheader at Volusia Speedway park on March 12 and 13, but at this time there is no option to buy tickets and they have yet to announce if fans will be allowed at the races. At the Daytona International Speedway, tickets are already on sale for the Daytona Supercross on March 6 and the Daytona 200 is scheduled for March 13.

Of course while racing was what got Daytona started, most people who go to Bike Week now never go near a track. Instead, for most, Bike Week is about the entertainment and action on Main Street.

If you’re planning to go, I do have some recommendations on ways to spend some of your time in the Florida sun. Though Bike Week may look a little different in some ways, you can always go for a ride. Florida riding isn’t on the level of what you'll find in the Black Hills at the Sturgis Rally, but the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail is a chill putt through some good-looking scenery and it’s close, so you won’t kill a whole day just getting there. A ride up the famous Route A1A is always a good choice, with plenty of roomy beach stops available where you can have large stretches of sand and ocean to yourself. If you're on A1A, I recommend going north to Flagler for a seafood lunch at the Golden Lion. Its open-air dining is social distancing friendly.

The J&P Cycles store in Ormond Beach will be open for business with state and local guidelines in place and of course it's worth the stop. If you have never been, the staggering number of parts on hand will keep you busy for a while and if you’re looking to keep your distance the outside lot will have an array of vendors to take in at your leisure and comfort level.

Historically, Bike Week has included some banger chopper shows that are a great way to scope out some sweet builds while staying outside in the Florida sunshine. The Boogie East Show at Annie Oakleys in Ormond, Willie’s Choppertime Show at Tropical Tattoo and the Rats Hole Custom Bike Show are some of my favorites, but double check the schedules before you go, because things could be different this year.

For many riders in the colder states, finding some warm weather in Daytona Beach is a long tradition. It may be a little different this year, but Bike Week is on.