Bustling crowds return to Bike Week

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Daytona Beach’s annual Bike Week has brought tens of thousands of motorcyclists to the city and its neighbors this weekend — and few of them are wearing masks.

The city made a bargain with its bars — 60% capacity indoors in return for the permits necessary for temporary outdoor sales and entertainment. The city is trying to avoid what happened at the Sturgis, South Dakota, motorcycle rally in August — that event led to a disputed number of infections around the country, ranging from several hundred to tens or hundreds of thousands.

The 10-day event began Friday and organizers expect 300,000 to 400,000 motorcyclists will attend. It typically draws 500,000.

SAM THOMAS/ORLANDO SENTINEL/AP Bikers cruise Main Street on motorcycles and by foot in Daytona Beach, Florida, during the start of Bike Week on Friday.