Half million bikers set to roll into Daytona Beach for Bike Week

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The streets of Daytona Beach will get noisier Friday as thousands of motorcyclists roll into town for the 76th annual Bike Week.

Officials expect 500,000 bikers to cruise down Main Street for the 10-day festival, which will include a series of concerts at the Ocean Center and races at Daytona International Speedway and New Smyrna Beach Speedway.

Ashley Gilbert, who owns Bikers Pride, told Channel 9 that she fears the crowds will be sparser this year because it isn’t a milestone year.

“A lot of people save their money to go to anniversary shows,” Gilbert said. “The year after always slows down.”

But Gilbert said she hopes for the best.

“But I feel like the economy has gotten better,” she said. “People are more comfortable with spending money.”

Biker Karl Keelr, though, didn't think the crowds were down much from previous years.

"This year, this is like the first thing," he said. "It's incredible how many (bikers) are aready here."

The event runs through March 19.

Cox Media Group