Laconia Motorcycle Week moves another year closer to the century mark with its 92nd annual celebration. Bikers who ride safe will hopefully return to bike week for many years to come.
More than 400,000 riders will descend on this central New Hampshire town and lakes region beginning June 13 for the weeklong, world class rally. With a full slate of events, celebrations and parties, motorcyclists can easily get lost in the excitement and forget essential safety rules to avoid a motorcycle accident and or DUI arrests. A little bit of caution will keep you on your bike enjoying your ride.
Do some planning before heading out to parties and gatherings. Keep these tips in mind:
- If you plan to drink, park your bike. Arrange transportation with a friend or plan to stay overnight at the party site. These plans are easier to make before you take that first drink.
- Eat before you drink. Alcohol on an empty stomach is absorbed much faster, and you will get intoxicated much more quickly.
- Limit what you drink and stop a few hours before you leave. You know your limits, so keep track of what you’re drinking and stop when you need to.
- Focus more on the company than on drinking. You may only see these friends once a year at the rally, make the most of it.
Drinking alcohol isn’t limited to nighttime gatherings and parties. Bike Week festivities feature many beer tents among the food stalls, motorcycle displays and merchandise tents. You can easily lose track of just how many stops at the beer tent you have made. Make a mental note of how much you drink throughout the day, and stop a few hours before it’s time to pack up and head back to the hotel or camp site. Stop and listen to some music at the Big Entertainment Tent outside Laconia Roadhouse or pick up some free coffee at the White Church.
Of course with all those motorcycle lovers in town, local law enforcement will have stepped up patrols. The state’s legal limit is a blood alcohol level of 0.08. New Hampshire’s penalties for DUI/DWI are stiff with a first offender facing a fine of at least $500 and a lengthy license suspension, up to 2 years. As you can imagine, local courts are packed with DUI/DWI defendants in the weeks after the festival. Avoid a DUI/DWI arrest so you do not have to make the trip back to New Hampshire before next year’s festival.
Big festival traffic means more accidents, so use safety precautions when out riding. Follow these tips:
- Drive safely. Avoid aggressive maneuvers like jumping in front of another vehicle. Leave a lot of space between yourself and others.
- Have your headlight on at all times. Car and truck drivers are not looking for a motorcycle and can miss you easily. Increase your visibility by wearing a bright vest or jacket.
- Slow down at every intersection and look both ways for oncoming traffic.
- Signal your intentions before you change lanes or turn.
- Don’t drive distracted. Put that phone or music player away.
So, while you are in Laconia and the surrounding towns for Bike Week enjoy as many of the events as possible including the Big Air Jumps and Stunt Show, the Bike Paint-off and Biker Build-off, the Special Vintage Motorcycle Rally, the 11th Annual City of Laconia Bike Show and the Harley Davidson Demos. You might want to get some custom detailing on your bike or pick up the latest helmet style.
However you celebrate Laconia Motorcycle Week, keep it safe out there. But, if the unthinkable happens such as a DUI/DWI or a motorcycle accident, be sure to find an experienced, motorcycle accident attorney to help with the New Hampshire legal system. Our motorcycle lawyers are riders themselves and know what perils you face on the open road.