Bike Week is back and bringing big crowds to Daytona Beach this weekend

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Saturday marks day two of bike week and businesses said they expect it to be one of their busiest days this year.

Business owners told Channel 9 that the streets packed full of bikers are a welcome sight after back-to-back hurricanes battered the coast.

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Curt Karner has been coming to Daytona Beach’s Bike since 1989 and this year is back trading in the Pennsylvania snow for Florida sunshine.

“No matter how bad your day is, you get on your bike, it ain’t so bad anymore,” Karner said. “Biker people in general are up and up people. They like to have fun.  They come from all over the place. They’re not afraid to spend money and tip the people of the town here.”

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After two hurricanes battered the coast and dealt the economy a blow, businesses said they are more than eager to welcome crowds of generous tippers.

“We’ve got three bars inside that will be elbows to elbows people,” said Jody Cuplin from the Cruisin’ Café. “This will fill up completely. Completely filled up because all the bars coming up main street.”

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Police said after issues last year, they’re ramping up patrols, with 60 Daytona Beach police officers assigned to Main Street as well as multiple undercover and uniformed officers throughout the city.

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