MUSKEGON, MI – An announcement by city officials that the city of Muskegon has shut down the Bike Time motorcycle rally came as a surprise to the event’s spokesperson, who told MLive that the event’s organizers had not yet made a decision on whether to cancel due to COVID-19.
Muskegon City Clerk Ann Meisch issued a news release Wednesday, July 1, announcing that two major motorcycle rallies in Muskegon – Bike Time and Rebel Road – were canceled because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Rebel Road, scheduled for July 15-19, was already canceled last month by its organizers. Bike Time was scheduled for July 16-19 at the Hot Rod Harley Davidson dealership. The two coinciding events annually transform downtown Muskegon’s West Western Avenue into a biker’s alley, attracting over 120,000 people each year.
Bike Time organizers had yet to announce the event’s cancellation when the city sent its press release. MLive contacted the event’s spokesperson, Tim Lipan, who was caught off guard when told about the announcement. Lipan said the event’s board of directors hadn’t decided yet whether to cancel the event.
He said the board planned to make a decision on Thursday, July 2. But a short time later, Bike Time issued its own press release announcing the event’s cancellation.
When contacted by MLive, Meisch clarified that the news release meant city officials would not authorize a liquor license for the Bike Time rally. However, the release did not mention a liquor license and indicated the event was canceled.
“The city is not authorizing an event,” Meisch said. “(City officials) have to sign off on a liquor license and so the city is not going to sign off on a liquor license.”
Bike Time typically features a beer tent and games like beer pong and cornhole.
The news release issued Wednesday by the event’s organizers said it “would not be prudent” to continue planning the event.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Board of Directors of Muskegon Bike Time is announcing that this year’s event is cancelled,” the news release reads.
“Bike Time had continued planning the event in hopes that Michigan would move to Stage 5 of the Governor’s Reopening Plan. Although we were working to implement safety precautions, recent COVID-19 events in Michigan and throughout the country have forced us to err on the side of safety.”
City Manager Frank Peterson said in a prepared statement that he encourages Muskegon County motorcyclists to visit downtown Muskegon that weekend, but asks visitors from other counties to stay away to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“There will be no downtown events the week of July 12th and the city will not have the amenities to handle large surges of crowds downtown,” the release said.
The city’s release came after a modest rise in new cases last week in the Grand Rapids region – which represents 13 West Michigan counties including Muskegon – heightening the region’s risk phase to “medium-high.”
It also was issued around the same time Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that she was banning indoor bar service throughout most of Michigan due to the COVID-19 risk.
RELATED: Coronavirus ‘risk phase’ heightened for Grand Rapids, Lansing regions after increase in cases
“We did not make the decision to cancel lightly,” Peterson said. “At the end of the day, the well-being of our community comes above all else. We need to protect the safety of our citizens, volunteers, and vendors.
Bike Time is one of the few remaining summer events in Muskegon that have not been canceled because of the pandemic.
The list of cancellations includes the Lakeshore Art Festival, the Burning Foot Beer Festival (which has announced plans for a “virtual” event), the Miss Michigan Scholarship Pageant, the Michigan Irish Music Festival , Unity Christian Music Festival, and even weekly Parties in the Park.
PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.
Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.
Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued an executive order requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while inside enclosed, public spaces.
Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
More on MLive:
Michigan one of 3 states U.S. military is restricting travel to due to coronavirus
Masks, class sizes and busing: 10 ways Michigan schools could look different this fall
July 4th in age of COVID: Expert tips for safe holiday travels and celebrations
Wednesday July 1: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan
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