newly-formed Ad-Hoc biker committee

A newly-formed biker committee from Horry County met with Myrtle Beach officials to compare notes on what the county will do with the approaching spring bike events.


Many of the bikers are pretty curious about the next step the county might take. Many feel the City of Myrtle Beach has done its best to make them feel unwelcome, and wait to see if the county does the same.

Horry County Council wants to know exactly what Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes wants from them.

Mayor John Rhodes says he is asking the county not to turn their back on the city.

The council members that make up the Ad-Hoc committee say they won't do that, but say they probably won't rubber stamp the 15 ordinances the city passed.

Councilman Bob GrabowskiI says he certainly don't want to tell 200,000 to 500,000 people not to come here, that's bad business.

Rhodes toughest criticism came from councilman and biker, Bob Grabowski, who tried to pin down Rhodes, accusing him of wanting to flat out end the rallies.

"Mr. Grabowski, we have never said end bike rallies. We've said we don't like rallies. We don't want rallies because of the masses," said Rhodes.

Rhodes told the county he welcomes bikers, as long as they respect Myrtle Beach.


Biker enthusiasts who attended Wednesday's pow-wow say they liked what they heard from the county.

The county made it clear they want to welcome bikers. They don't want to get ride of the bike week. They realize the economic impact it brings to the county, said a local business owner.

Rhodes also suggested moving the county's vendors west of the Intracoastal Waterway. Both sides agree on working with the private sector, asking them what they can do about some of the issues of noise and rowdy behavior.

The commission will meet again October 14th.

This meeting represented the views for the newly formed biker committee. Many of the local residents who oppose the bike week did not attend this meeting. Many local residents are waiting to see the positive impact from the newly passed Myrtle Beach laws aimed at keeping bike week under control.