DAYTONA BEACH -- Despite high expectations, bikers and businesses said this year's numbers are down for Bike Week, which ended Sunday.
Bikers point to a sluggish economy and high gas prices, and said fewer out-of-town bikers are making the long trek to Volusia County because of it.
Vacancy signs were up at many motels in Daytona Beach.
Motel owners said they first suspected a weak Bike Week when regular customers failed to make room reservations.
"We're seeing a lesser crowd than we used to and all our regulars, we didn't have to many reservations, just walk-ins, which was really bad," said Mary Harripersaud, a motel owner.
Harripersaud hopes to recover during Biketoberfest.
However, bikers said the area may see a lighter than usual turnout during Biketoberfest if gas prices continue to go up.
Official numbers for Bike Week will be released in the future by the Hotel Motel Association and the Chamber of Commerce.
Meanwhile, the number of biker deaths from crashes on the roads is also down this year.
The highway patrol said seven bikers died in crashes related to this year's event. The most recent was a man who died Friday night after crashing in Oak Hill.
Last year, there were eight fatalities during the 10-day event.
There was some controversy over the number of deaths. Some families said their loved ones weren't attending the events when they died.
State troopers said they classify any motorcycle fatality in Volusia County as a Bike Week death.
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