Photo by Ava Traill
In 1937, the first ever bike week was held in Daytona Beach, Florida—but it looked nothing like it does now. The Daytona 200 motor bike race was held on 3.2 miles of beach and pavement. Approximately 15,000 spectators watched as it was won by Ed Kretz from California, on an Indian motorcycle. Now, the event brings close to a half million people together each year to celebrate their love for motorcycle culture.
Photo by Official Bike Week
On Florida’s east coast beach road, A1A, it feels like Bike Week is a constant presence, never really coming to an end. Daytona Beach’s 2025 Bike Week lasted for a sprawling 10 days, ramping up on Friday, Feb 28, and slowing down on March 9.
Multiple generations of riders from all over the world come together to ride along Florida’s scenic A1A. During Bike Week, you can hear the unmistakable roar of motorcycles along Florida’s east coast beachside.
Photo by Ava Traill.
Lisa Lowe first attended Bike Week in 1996. After moving from San Diego, California, to Florida in 1999, she has spent the past 26 years experiencing the event as a Daytona Beach local.
“There was always live music in town, and people coming from all over the world,” she said.
She recalled one year at Bike Week when she unexpectedly ran into a high school friend from San Diego.
Bike Week is known for its crowded Main Street, where biker contests, parades, live music and street festival transform the small beach town.
Photo by Ava Traill.
“I love how the small town feel of Daytona becomes this amazing event over night,” Lowe shared.
She recounted past Bike Weeks as unforgettable experiences, including the time she spotted Michael Jordan riding his baby blue custom Harley.
Bike culture runs deep in Daytona, some bike week memories at the crux of Volusia families. Cecelia Lewandowski, a Daytona State student, relates to this. “My mom used to be a beer tub girl, and my dad used to bartend for bike week, so we are very big bike week people,” she said.
This year, Bike Week brought in approximately 500,000 attendees, a significant increase that hasn’t been seen in years. Bike week was expected to bring in close to 100 million dollars to the Volusia County area.
The event has served the Daytona Beach community for 84 years and has helped curate the unique atmosphere that consumes the area.