Despite petitions urging change of location, Atlantic Beach says Bikefest isn’t going anywhere

More than 2,100 people have signed a petition seeking to move Atlantic Beach Bikefest to North Carolina, while about 8,500 people have signed a petition saying they want Bikefest to end.

But Atlantic Beach officials say neither scenario has a chance of happening.

“Atlantic Beach’s Bikefest will be Atlantic Beach’s Bikefest, forever,” Mayor Jake Evans said.

Bikefest began in 1979 in Atlantic Beach by the Carolina Knight Riders as a rally for black motorcyclists.

A petition on Change.org that was created about fourth months ago says the black motorcyclists don’t feel as though their presence – or money – is wanted in the county.