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Daytona Beach City Commissioners Vote Against Permits For Biketoberfest

Daytona Beach's Main Street is the epicenter of Biketoberfest. (WMFE File Photo: Matthew Peddie, WMFE)
Daytona Beach's Main Street is the epicenter of Biketoberfest. (WMFE File Photo: Matthew Peddie, WMFE)

Daytona Beach city commissioners know they can’t stop motorcyclists from coming to Biketoberfest but, they won’t be encouraging visitors this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The commissioners voted against issuing permits for vendors. The festival is a huge economic driver for Daytona Beach as it brings thousands of bikers to the city. 

Several business owners spoke out in support of the permits, as for some the event makes up much of their revenue. However, city commissioners were concerned for the safety and health of Daytona Beach residents, resulting in their 6-to-1 vote. 

The decision comes after Ormond Beach voted to approve permits for Biketoberfest.

After a brief stint as Morning Edition Producer at The Public’s Radio in Rhode Island, Talia Blake returned to Central Florida Public Media. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with degrees in both Broadcast Journalism and Psychology. While at UCF, she was an intern for Central Florida’s public affairs show, Intersection. She joined on as Morning Edition Host in 2019. In 2022, Ms. Blake was appointed to the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalist’s board of directors.