The Bikefest Debate

Nikki Haley has called for an end to bikefest, but some officials in Atlantic Beach and Myrtle Beach say putting an end to bikefest is not a realistic option. Myrtle Beach Council Chair, Mark Lazarus, said that bikefest is now a social event. He said that bikefest is already being promoted for next year and that we do not know who is doing the promoting. And Myrtle Beach Councilperson, David Chestnut, said, “I want to see people come to town and obey the law and respect the town. And if you can’t do those things, then I don’t want to see you come to town.” This leads to the thinking that the solution is not to cancel bikefest, but the solution is more law enforcement. Nikki Haley said that the state provided adequate law enforcement during the festival. But Chestnut feels that there has been a break down of communication between the city and the state about the amount of law enforcement the city had. Next year, the goal is to have a county wide plan of action for bikefest.