As a small business owner in the Lakes Region, I am very much against Bike Week moving to August 22nd.

Bars, restaurants and lodging are basically the only businesses that prosper during Bike Week. Small specialty stores like my art gallery sit idle. Regular customers avoid the Bike Week traffic and bikers have other interests. In fact, many businesses, close that week due to lack of customer traffic. And that is usually a good time to do it, just before prime season.

Speaking for myself, I can not afford another big hit like this, especially during prime season. We have a lot of making up to do because of the Coronavirus. Don’t take another week from us. Bars, restaurants and lodging already prosper in August. They don’t need a big event to fill their rooms and tables during prime season. Many Hotels, Motels, and B & B’s are booked a year in advance by returning visitors. Where will the bikers stay?

And what about all the annual community events that have not cancelled; arts and craft fairs, Old Home Days to name a few. What will happen to them in all the Bike Week chaos?

With all the uncertainties of Covid-19, many large crowd drawing events are cancelling this year. Bike Week should consider doing the same or moving to a later date.

Has the Laconia City Council considered if our First Responders are equipped, or even want to deal with this unnecessary risk? Do the hospitals have the staff or the equipment needed?

I would also like to point out that Laconia’s Fall Bike Rally, “Biketemberfest”, is scheduled for September 11 through the 13th. And let us not forget South Dakota’s, Sturgis Rally is scheduled August 7 - 16 . Bike Week could be a bomb, an economic failure for everyone.

For all the above reasons and more, we need to stop Bike Week from moving to August 22nd.