Daytona Bike Week changes traffic flow in Ga.

It seems Atlanta will be part of a main route to Daytona next week. Here are some tips for those on four wheels and two. It’s just common sense really. Pay attention. Stay safe. Always be aware of what other drivers are doing. We hope everyone has a safe, enjoyable ride.

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Daytona Bike Week changes traffic flow in Ga.
Tips for dealing with the two-wheel travelers

By ARIEL HART
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/22/08
If Georgia roads soon run with leather, tattoos and a tad more character than usual, it’s no surprise.

For motorcyclists next week, all roads — including Georgia highways — lead to Daytona Beach, Fla., where about half a million of their colleagues are expected to gather from February 29 to March 9 at Bike Week.

According to Anne Szczesny, a spokeswoman for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, car and truck drivers along those routes should take extra care next week to avoid collisions. Some tips from the company for co-existing with the much smaller and less stable vehicles:

• Know your blind spots and remember motorcycles can get lost in them more easily than cars.

• Drivers should make sure all items they’re hauling are securely fastened and can’t fly onto the road. Those towing boats: take note.

• Leaving enough space between cars is especially important when there are bikers who may need to swerve suddenly around obstacles in the road.

• Be extra careful when turning and at intersections. The insurance company says that, because motorcycles are small, it’s harder to see how close they are and how fast they’re approaching.

And from the Governor’s Office of Highway safety, the three rules for driving without crashing always stand:

• Don’t speed.

• Stay sober.

• Buckle up.