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Myrtle Beach police ticket many protesting bikers

Myrtle Beach Helmet Law (Added: March 01, 2009)

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By SCNow Staff
Published: March 01, 2009

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Dozens of bikers met up at the Beaver Bar in Murrells Inlet for what they called the Myrtle Beach Helmet Freedom Ride.

The bikers found out just before they took off that nearly a dozen police officers were waiting for them in the city limits of Myrtle Beach.

That didn’t stop them.

They cruised down Kings Highway, and as soon as they turned down Ocean Boulevard near the old front gate; Myrtle Beach Police Officers were ready to stop those not wearing helmets.

"We're out here, fighting for people's rights. Not just for bikers, for everybody. I mean, you know, they tend to make ordinances and laws that infringe on everybody, in different shapes and forms. We just happen to be the ones willing to stand up and fight for 'em," one of those in the Freedom Ride, Gary Balcom, said.

Balcom and his wife were cited a $100 ticket for not wearing a helmet. And police told them they would be at risk as close as 5 feet away from where they were first ticketed for another $100 citation.

At that point, Balcom said, he felt he had made a point, and decided not to continue down Ocean Boulevard.

"It's not just about helmets, it's about Council and the Mayor, and Myrtle Beach trying to drive out the poor people off their property by raising taxes so they can have Myrtle Beach and do with it what they want," another rider, Richard Mercer said.

They all came back to Murrells Inlet and attorney Tom McGrath will be representing all those who were cited, according to Balcom.